Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC
The Team
Amer Al-Khoudari, M.D. FACR
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC
Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, provides comprehensive care for rheumatologic conditions at his practice, Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC. Patients living in and around Chandler, Arizona, benefit from his extensive experience and dedication to helping each patient maintain optimal health.
Dr. Al-Khoudari received his medical degree from the Un
Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, provides comprehensive care for rheumatologic conditions at his practice, Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC. Patients living in and around Chandler, Arizona, benefit from his extensive experience and dedication to helping each patient maintain optimal health.
Dr. Al-Khoudari received his medical degree from the University of Damascus in Syria, then relocated to complete his internal medicine residency at the University of Toledo. He continued to pursue his chosen specialty by completing a rheumatology fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He’s board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology.
When he started his medical career, Dr. Al-Khoudari practiced as a chief hospitalist at Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, Oregon. He also served as a staff hospitalist at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, before moving to Oklahoma to join the University of Oklahoma as an assistant professor in hospital medicine. While there, he graduated from the OU Leadership Academy Program.
To be closer to family and friends, Dr. Al-Khoudari moved to Arizona, where he opened the Arizona Arthritis Clinic. He is proud to be an Arizona resident and excited to serve the community in the Valley of the Sun.
At the end of 2017, Dr. Al-Khoudari became the vice chair for AURA (Arizona United Rheumatology Alliance) and will become the chair of AURA by the end of 2020.
In May 2018, Dr. Al-Khoudari received the medical honoree Award for the Arthritis Foundation annual walk.
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is a bilingual doctoral prepared Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Rheumatology. She sees patients at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, in Chandler, Arizona.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley formerly known as The University of Texas P
Rita Gonzalez, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is a bilingual doctoral prepared Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Rheumatology. She sees patients at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, in Chandler, Arizona.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley formerly known as The University of Texas Pan American in 2012. She became a registered nurse in 2013. She has worked in many different areas in Nursing such as: Medical Surgical, Oncology/stem cell transplant and the Progressive Cardiac Care Unit at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. She obtained her doctorate degree from the University of Arizona in December 2018. She completed her doctoral dissertation on improving patient education through the use of technology in a predominantly Spanish speaking population. She is board certified through American Nurses Credentialing Center.
She is also a member of:
- American Nurses Association
- Arizona Nurses Association
- Southern Arizona Advanced Practice Nurse - Nurse Practitioner Society
- Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council
- American College of Rheumatology Society
She loves trying different restaurants, the outdoors, spending time with her kids, coaching and exercising. She is excited to join the Arizona Arthritis Clinic family and is passionate about providing culturally competent care to all her patients.
Areas of Specialty
Arthritis
Every year, more than 54 million adults in the United States learn they have some form of arthritis. Since arthritis is a chronic disease that progressively worsens, getting early treatment is vital for slowing it down and maintaining a healthy and active life. At Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, is a dedicated expert in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of arthritis. At the first sign of swollen, stiff joints, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or book an appointment online.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
If you’re over the age of 50 and develop general achiness and stiffness that’s worse in the morning, you may figure it’s a natural part of aging. But don’t settle for the discomfort because it may be due to polymyalgia rheumatica. Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, has years of experience accurately identifying polymyalgia rheumatica and providing treatment that may dramatically relieve your symptoms. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or use the online booking feature.
Gout
You can’t mistake a gout attack, as you suddenly develop an inflamed and intensely painful joint, often in the middle of the night. Although your symptoms may go away, you’re at risk for recurrent gout attacks that progressively worsen. Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, provides treatment that relieves acute symptoms and helps prevent future attacks. To learn more about gout, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or book an appointment online.
Scleroderma
It’s estimated that 75,000-100,000 people in the United States have scleroderma, which makes it a rare disease. Although scleroderma can affect anyone at any age, it’s most common in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, has extensive experience working with adults to manage their scleroderma and prevent progressive organ problems. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or use the online booking tool.
Sjogren's Syndrome
With generic symptoms like dry eyes and a dry mouth, Sjӧgren’s syndrome is so tricky to diagnose that most patients struggle with symptoms for nearly three years before finally learning the underlying cause of the problem. As a specialist in rheumatologic disorders like Sjӧgren’s syndrome, Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, has the expertise you need to get an accurate diagnosis sooner rather than later. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or use the online booking tool.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic disease that causes skin rashes and joint inflammation and pain. It can also damage major organs like your kidneys. Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, helps patients manage their symptoms, stay healthy, and maintain active lives. If you have questions about lupus or you’d like to schedule an appointment, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or use the online booking feature.
Vasculitis
If you could place all your blood vessels in one long line, they’d be 100,000 miles long. That’s a lot of blood vessels, and any of them can be affected by vasculitis. Amer Al-Khoudari, MD, FACR, at Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, specializes in identifying and treating the many complex problems caused by vasculitis. To learn whether your symptoms may be due to vasculitis, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or book an appointment online