A Rheumatologist with nearly a decade of experience, Dr. Joe Thomas is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases in adults and children. He takes a special interest in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Vasculitis. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Internal Medicine from PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, and Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Rheumatology, from Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad. Dr. Thomas was the Head of the Department of Rheumatology at Lourdes Hospital, Kochi before joining the Centre of Excellence in Orthopaedics and Rheumatology at Aster Medcity. He was a Senior Resident in the Department of Rheumatology, at NIMS, Hyderabad. He also worked at the Department of Internal Medicine, at Cochin Cooperative Medical College.

Dr. Chethana, with 12 years of experience in Rheumatology, is well-trained in managing all rheumatological conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic, reactive, crystal arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis like Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, Takayasu's arteritis, SLE, systemic sclerosis, myositis, sarcoidosis and chronic pain.

She has a special interest in Vasculitis, having worked with experts in the filed in UK. She practices evidence-based medicine. Dr. Chethana performs intra-articular (joint) injections, soft tissue injections and is trained in performing muscle and salivary gland biopsies. She is trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound and facilitates Biologic injections and infusions in our daycare.

Dr. Chethana completed her undergraduate training from Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore. She then travelled to the United Kingdom to pursue higher training and completed MRCP Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians. As Rheumatology always fascinated her, she decided to further her career in the field. She has experience in laboratory-based research, having worked as a Clinical Research Fellow in Rheumatology at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.

Dr. Chethana was involved in a research project on Minocycline induced Lupus. She then joined the prestigious Cambridge Deanery for super-speciality training in Rheumatology. She completed the Specialty Certificate Exam in Rheumatology and obtained Certificate of completion of training (CCT) in Rheumatology in 2013. On returning to India, she worked as a Consultant Rheumatologist at Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore from Aug 2013 to Dec 2016. She joined the Aster group in January 2017.

Dr. Roopa Tekkatte is a Consultant Rheumatologist, currently practising at Aster RV Hospital, JP Nagar, Bangalore. She has good five years’ experience in the management of various rheumatology conditions including Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Vasculitis, Osteoporosis, Gout, Sarcoidosis and Connective Tissue Diseases such as Lupus, Sjogren’s and Scleroderma.

She has undergone Rheumatology training in various hospitals in the UK such as University Hospital Wales and University Hospital Bristol. She has previously worked as a Consultant Rheumatologist in Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, UK. She practices evidence-based medicine and follows BSR/ EULAR guidelines for the management of the Rheumatology conditions.

She has a special interest in treating patients with Early Inflammatory Arthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis. She has completed various clinical projects in early inflammatory arthritis such as Foot and ankle ultrasound project to assess the validity of foot and ankle questionnaire in early inflammatory arthritis, patient-reported long term effects of progressive resistance training in Rheumatoid arthritis and effect of brief educational intervention on motivation for smoking cessation in Rheumatology patients.

She has undergone training in the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in inflammatory arthritis. She performs joint and soft tissue injections, minor salivary gland biopsy and caudal epidural injections.

Dr. Aabu Alex Thomas is an accomplished consultant in the Rheumatology Department at Aster MIMS Calicut. He has expertise in bringing relief to patients suffering from arthritis and rheumatic illnesses. He has done his MBBS from CMC Ludhiana followed by MS, a post graduate degree in Orthopedics. He has completed his Fellowship in Geriatrics and Rheumatology preceded by Residency in Internal Medicine from the United States of America. He has won many awards and received accolades for his innumerable publications and presentations.

• Dr. Remesh Bhasi completed MBBS from Calicut Medical College.
• MD (General Medicine) - KMC, Mangalore
• Member of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland since 1996.
• Rheumatology training at Norfolk & Norwich Hospital UK
• Worked as Clinical Specialist in Rheumatology at Queen’s Hospital Burton on Trent, UK
• Overseas Member of British Society for Rheumatology
• Life Member, Indian Rheumatology Association
• President, Kerala Chapter of Indian Rheumatology Association
• Delivered the “KOLKON ORATION” – 2017 of Indian Rheumatology Association in recognition of overall contribution to Indian Rheumatology