Northwest Diagnostic Clinic merges with Rheumatology Associates of Houston

THE WOODLANDS, Texas –– Northwest Diagnostic Clinic, PA, with offices in The Woodlands and in the Cypress Station area of Houston, is pleased to announce that Rheumatology Associates of Houston (RAH) has merged with Northwest Diagnostic Clinic (NWDC) to form the largest non-academic rheumatology practice in Houston.

Rheumatologists Martha Aguilar, MD and Joan Appleyard, MD of RAH will now work with NDC rheumatologists Carmen Perez-Masuelli, MD, FACP; Leslie Wilson, MD, CCD; and Tamar F. Brionez, MD, CCCD to deliver the best in medical care.

The merger comes in the midst of an evolving healthcare system in which doctors are breaking away from the day-to-day office responsibilities of their practice to focus solely on clinical care and better serve their patients.

“Just like medicine has evolved from general practitioners who delivered babies, cured colds and removed the occasional appendix, to subspecialization by organ system, so must medicine recognize that most doctors are the happiest and most productive being clinicians,” said John Watson CMPE, NWDC administrator. “ Doctors will always provide strategic direction and ultimate decision-making in any successful structure, but on an ongoing basis, allowing management to handle the day-to-day has a much better record of effectiveness.”

Physicians in the group agree that the merge is best for everyone involved, both doctors and patients.

“As physicians, we are not trained to deal with the increasingly complex business side of medicine, “ said Joan Appleyard, MD, RAH rheumatologist. “Northwest Diagnostic Clinic provides us with a stable and transparent structure that allows us to practice the best practice possible without having to worry about the non-clinical aspects of practice.”

Joining NWDC and RHA will also increase the strength of the group and prepare them for upcoming changes in healthcare.

“The relationship with Rheumatology Associates of Houston is a natural fit for Northwest Diagnostic Clinic,” said Donald Strickland, MD, NWDC managing partner. “With our existing group of three rheumatologists, doubling our size allows us to achieve economies of scale and other efficiencies that will make the whole group more resilient to the changes that will be wrought by healthcare reform.”

Rheumatology Associates of Houston remains dedicated to using the latest and most effective diagnostic and treatment options for its patients, and each physician has been in practice for more than 10 years. RHA physicians are experienced and dedicated to treating those suffering from arthritis or related illnesses and strive to educate patients and their families on the symptoms, treatments and complications of rheumatoid diseases. Their specially trained, board-certified physicians have worked with patients to improve their quality of life.

Northwest Diagnostic Clinic was founded in 1975 and its team of physicians has been caring for families for more than 35 years. In addition to 19 physicians and four physician assistants (PAs), Northwest Diagnostic Clinic offers a full staff of nurses, medical assistants, laboratory, imaging and administrative personnel to assist with patient care.

With offices in The Woodlands and Houston, the clinic offers several areas of expertise including family practice, internal medicine, dermatology, rheumatology, general surgery, pain management and physical medicine. The clinic also offers on-site ancillary services such as CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, bone density testing, infusion and laboratory services.