AARA News
EULAR 2025 Congress Recognizes Dr. Tesser and AARA Clinical Research with Abstract Award, New RA Treatment on the Horizon
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has awarded Dr. John R. P. Tesser, MD, FACP, FACR, MACR, and AARA Clinical Research with an Abstract Award in the category of Clinical Research.
The seminal abstract recognized with this achievement summarizes the test of a potential new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that utilizes an implantable device to stimulate the vagus nerve with the goal of reducing inflammation and joint pain for participants whose RA has not improved with traditional medications—bDMARDs and tsDMARDs.
Tracking the improvement of RA symptoms by at least 20% (ACR20), results from the double-blind study proved statistically significant with 35.2% of participants in the treatment group reaching the desired endpoint versus 24.2% of participants in the control group after 12 weeks. Rates of improvement for participants with only one prior exposure to bDMARDs was nearly double that of the control group at 44.2%.
Click here to learn more about the study and its pivotal impact on the future treatment of RA!
AARA Avondale Grand Opening Marks Greater Access to Care
On February 12th, 2025, the City of Avondale welcomed AARA and Phoenix Heart to the greater West Valley community at the grand opening of their brand-new, state-of-the-art medical facilities on Rancho Santa Fe Boulevard.
Dr. Andrew Sharobeem, Partner Rheumatologist of AARA, joined Dr. Reshmaal Gomes, Cardiologist of Phoenix Heart, in a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating their partnership and dedication to serving the growing needs of the West Valley community.
AARA CEO, Angel Magar, joined Dr. Sharobeem and other leadership members in front of AARA’s new, modern space for a practice-specific ceremony. The team bristled with excitement as the new Avondale office (formerly Phoenix) offers expanded exam and infusion areas, as well as advanced technology to support enhanced patient care.
Other helpful links:
City of Avondale
Phoenix Heart
Dr. Shiva Malaty to Present as Expert Speaker at Virtual Southwest Walk for Sjogren’s
Kicking off this April, the Sjogren’s Foundation’s bi-annual Walk for Sjogren’s raises awareness and support for Sjogren’s patients while connecting community members with experts. AARA’s own Dr. Malaty will join the Opening Ceremony in the Q&A portion alongside Dr. Stephen Cohen of Doctor My Eyes and Dr. William Mitchell of AZ Integrative Rheumatology.
Dr. Malaty expressed her excitement in lending her expertise as a board-certified rheumatologist to the Sjogren’s Foundation:
“For over five years, I’ve been treating Sjogren’s patients, addressing complex cases involving interstitial lung disease, renal issues, and small fiber neuropathy. I look forward to sharing my insights and supporting the Sjogren’s community.”
The Southwest Walk for Sjogren’s will take place virtually on April 5th beginning at 10 AM. Participants from Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah are encouraged to join.
Join us in making a difference—sign up today and help support those living with Sjogren’s! To learn how to register and support the cause, please visit: events.sjogrens.org/swwalk
AARA Expands to Serve More Patients with New, State-of-the-Art Office in Avondale
Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, PC (AARA) is thrilled to announce the relocation of its former Phoenix office to a brand-new, larger facility in Avondale. This expansion allows AARA to enhance patient care with increased space, advanced technology, and a greater reach within the West Valley community.
The new office features 15 exam rooms and 8 infusion chairs, expanding capacity to accommodate more patients efficiently. At 13,000 square feet, the modern facility is designed to improve patient comfort and streamline services. Additionally, cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology has been incorporated to further elevate the quality of care.
With its expanded location, AARA is positioned to serve a broader radius, reaching patients in the West Valley community who previously had limited access to specialized rheumatology care.
A public ribbon-cutting ceremony is set to take place the morning of February 12th at 9:00 a.m. with representatives from AARA, Phoenix Heart, the City of Avondale, MCR Companies, and MRT Design.
