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Menifee Office: (951) 672-1866
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Riverside Office: (951) 924-6500
San Bernardino Office: (909) 567-2917
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About Southland Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center

Inland Empire’s Largest Rheumatology Group

Southland Arthritis was founded by Dr. CV Mehta and his wife Deni Mehta in 1983 in the city of Hemet. Over the years, we have expanded throughout Southern California and offer a variety of services for patients with Rheumatic diseases.

Board Certified Doctors

Our Physicians are Board Certified in Rheumatology and are experts in the non-surgical management of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Arthritis and Osteoporosis.

Graduate Medical Education

Several of our Physicians hold Clinical Faculty positions at Academic Medical Centers and we are a Rheumatology teaching site for doctor's in training.

Clinical Trials

We have 2 clinical trial centers in the cities of Hemet and Riverside. We conduct FDA clinical trials on various Rheumatic Diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Psoriatic Arthritis

Arthritis X-rays
Our Doctors

Meet Our Qualified Doctors

Our Physicians are Board Certified in Rheumatology and are experts in the non-surgical management of Systemic Autoimmune disease, Arthritis and Osteoporosis.

Dr. Chandrakant Mehta
Dr. Chandrakant Mehta

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Dr.colburn-keith
Dr. Keith Colburn

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Dr. Amal Mehta
Dr. Amal Mehta

BIO
Dr. Dharmarajan Ramaswam
Dr. Dharmarajan Ramaswamy

BIO
Nasim-Daoud,-MD,-RhMSUS
Dr. Nasim Daoud

BIO
Dr.-Stephanie-Jeong
Dr. Stephanie Song

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DrAmit-Sureen
Dr. Amit Sureen

BIO
Angel Bustamante, PA-C.
Angel Bustamante, PA-C.

BIO
Lisa Asfahani, PA-C
Lisa Asfahani, PA-C

BIO
dr.alvin-yan
Alvin Yan, PA-C

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Jaclyn-Aldana,-PA-C1
Jaclyn Aldana, PA-C

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Augusto-Banayat,-FNP
Augusto Banayat, FNP

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Danielle-Poth
Danielle Poth, PA-C

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Jessica Veliz, FNP-BC
Jessica Veliz, FNP-BC

BIO
Deni-Mehta
Deni Mehta, Administrator

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Our Blog

Latest Blog & Articles

Find answers to your questions or read interesting articles about Arthritis and Rheumatology treatments

Dr. Chandrakant Mehta

Dr. Chandrakant Mehta

Dr. Chandrakant Mehta was the first Rheumatologist to practice in the cities of Hemet and Menifee and has been providing medical care in Southern California since 1983. Dr. Mehta and his wife, Deni Mehta, established Southland Arthritis & Osteoporosis Medical Center and have been blessed with a very loyal and hardworking staff! Dr. Mehta completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Easton Hospital in Pennsylvania and completed his fellowship at Loma Linda University. Dr. Mehta is dual Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Dr. Mehta enjoys walking, traveling and playing with his grandchildren!

Dr.colburn-keith

Dr. Keith Colburn

Dr.Keith Colburn is a distinguished Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine where he served as the Chief of Rheumatology until 2014 and was the Chief of Rheumatology at the Loma Linda VA Hospital until 2016. Dr.Colburn has published over 50 articles in medical journals and was the associate editor for the Journal of Investigative Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and American College of Rheumatology and is dual board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Dr.Colburn has trained many of the practicing Rheumatologists in Southern California and he enjoys traveling and birdwatching.

Dr. Amal Mehta

Dr. Amal Mehta

Dr. Amal Mehta grew up in Hemet, California, where his father’s passion for medicine inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare. Today, he brings that same dedication and compassion to his patients, helping them manage rheumatic conditions and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Mehta earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UCLA, a Healthcare MBA from George Washington University, and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at Banner University Medical Center, followed by a Rheumatology Fellowship at Loma Linda Medical Center.

Dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Dr. Mehta has extensive experience in patient care, clinical research, and medical education. He has served as an investigator in more than 50 clinical trials focused on various rheumatic diseases, contributing to advancements in treatment and patient care.

Dr. Mehta believes in building strong relationships with his patients, taking the time to understand their concerns, and developing personalized treatment plans that support their long-term health and well-being.

Outside the office, he enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. Above all, he looks forward to making a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of his patients.

Dr. Dharmarajan Ramaswam

Dr. Dharmarajan Ramaswamy

Dr.Ramaswamy completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in New York. Dr.Ramaswamy completed his Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Southern California and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Dr.Ramaswamy is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with his family.

Nasim-Daoud,-MD,-RhMSUS

Dr. Nasim Daoud

Nasim Daoud, MD, RhMSUS

Dr. Nasim Daoud is a board-certified rheumatologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, vasculitis, and ankylosing spondylitis. He is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and works closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that improve function, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life.

Dr. Daoud is certified in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatology (RhMSUS), an advanced imaging technique that helps improve the diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases. He also has a strong interest in clinical research and has participated in studies involving lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Prior to joining Southland Arthritis, Dr. Daoud served as Section Chief of Rheumatology at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System and held a faculty appointment at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, where he taught and mentored rheumatology fellows, residents, and medical students. He has received multiple teaching awards, including the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Loma Linda University Rheumatology Fellowship Program and the Faculty Teaching Award from the University of California, Riverside Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Daoud earned his medical degree from Damascus University Faculty of Medicine, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Unity Health System, and completed his Rheumatology Fellowship at Loma Linda University. He has been recognized as a Vegas Inc. Top Doctor in Rheumatology and remains dedicated to helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes through expert, patient-centered care.

Dr. Stephanie Song

Dr. Stephanie Song is an east coast native from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. She completed medical school at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, which was followed by Internal Medicine residency at Temple University Hospital. She then completed Rheumatology fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Song has expertise in
musculoskeletal ultrasound, has a clinical interest in Rheumatoid Arthritis, and is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends and dog. She is committed to and inspired by her patients, dedicated to practicing thorough and evidenced-based care, and pleased to be a part of the team at
Southland Arthritis.

DrAmit-Sureen

Dr. Amit Sureen

Dr. Amit Sureen earned a B.S. from UC Irvine, followed by a M.S. and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Sureen completed his Internal Medicine residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, and his Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of Missouri.  

Dr. Sureen’s approach to treating rheumatic diseases involves actively listening to patients to understand their needs, providing education, and using evidence-based medicine to achieve the best possible outcomes. He believes that each patient’s experience and needs are unique, and creates individualized treatment plans to meet each patient’s specific health goals. Dr. Sureen feels privileged to build lasting relationships with his patients and genuinely enjoys providing for their care and comfort. 

Dr. Sureen specializes in treatment of Arthritis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Gout, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Scleroderma, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Inflammatory Myopathies, and Vasculitis.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, hiking, exercising and traveling. He genuinely cares about the well-being of his patients and is proud to be a part of the Southland Arthritis team. 

Angel Bustamante, PA-C.

Angel Bustamante, PA-C.

Angel Bustamante PA-C completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at California State University Fullerton. He then earned his Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Western University of Health Sciences in the city of Pomona. He is nationally certified as a Physician Assistant. He grew up in Orange County prior to settling in the Inland Empire and has been treating Rheumatic diseases and performing joint injections since 2003. He enjoys snowboarding, jet skiing, traveling, exercising and spending time with his family and friends. He aspires to make a difference in his community by providing compassionate care and improving the quality of life of his patients.

Lisa Asfahani, PA-C

Lisa Asfahani, DHSc, PA-C

Lisa Asfahani DHSc, PA-C is certified and state licensed Physician Assistant practicing in Rheumatology. Lisa graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Sciences from Loma Linda University in 2011 and most recently, her Doctorate degree in Health Sciences from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in 2022. Lisa is experienced in both Rheumatology as well as in General Medicine andinvolved in numerous clinical studies in the field of Rheumatology. She is member of several professional societies including the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) and California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA). Lisa’s goal in patient care is to treat each patient/provider interaction as an opportunity serve, to teach, and to heal. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family whenever she can. 

Alvin Yan, PA-C

Alvin Yan, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant. He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he majored in Biology before moving to North Carolina and obtaining his Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree at Campbell University. Alvin’s first introduction to Rheumatology was during his clinical elective rotation at WakeMed Raleigh, which instilled in him a sense of wonder and fascination with the specialty. Alvin treats a variety of inflammatory joint diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Gout. He continues to advocate for patients afflicted with rheumatologic conditions and provides patient-focused, individualized and compassionate care for all of his patients. As a southern California native, Alvin enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking trails, and experiencing the newest food trends.

Jaclyn-Aldana,-PA-C1

Jaclyn Aldana, PA-C

Jaclyn Aldana, PA-C is a certified Physician Assistant practicing in the field of Rheumatology since 2018. Jaclyn is a Texas native and completed her Master’s in Physician Assistant studies in 2017 at the University of California Keck School of Medicine.

Jaclyn is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)and is involved in several medical studies in the field of Rheumatology.

Jaclyn is a proud mother of two boys and enjoys spending time with her family.

Augusto-Banayat,-FNP

Augusto Banayat, FNP

Augusto Famanas Banayat is an experienced Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner with a strong clinical background in patient-centered care and chronic disease management. He began his healthcare career after earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing, Philippines. He later advanced his education in the United States, earning his Nurse Practitioner degree from United States University. Throughout his career, Augusto has worked with many respected healthcare organizations including Fresenius Medical Care, Davita Medical Center, Cabrillo Center for Rheumatic Diseases and Kaiser Permanente. Outside of his professional life, Augusto enjoys mountain biking and fishing.

Danielle-Poth

Danielle Poth, PA-C

Danielle has several years of experience caring for patients with a wide range of autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions. She evaluates and treats diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, gout, osteoporosis, vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and osteoarthritis, among others. She is experienced in managing complex rheumatic diseases through evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient’s individual needs and goals.

Committed to providing the highest quality care, Danielle actively pursues continuing education to stay current with advances in rheumatology. She has completed educational courses through the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and regularly attends rheumatology conferences and professional meetings to expand her clinical knowledge and stay current on emerging therapies, treatment guidelines, and best practices in patient care.

Her clinical interests include early diagnosis and intervention, disease management, biologic and targeted therapies, osteoporosis prevention and treatment, and helping patients improve function and quality of life. Danielle collaborates with patients to educate them about their conditions and treatment options, empowering them to take an active role in their healthcare journey.

Known for her compassionate and approachable style, Danielle strives to build lasting relationships with her patients and provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. She values open communication, shared decision-making, and treating each patient with empathy and respect.

Outside of the clinic, Danielle enjoys traveling, exploring San Diego’s outdoor lifestyle, and spending time with family and friends.

Jessica Veliz, FNP-BC

Jessica Veliz, FNP-BC,

Jessica Veliz, FNP-BC, is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in rheumatology, with several years of experience caring for patients with a wide range of rheumatic disorders. 

Jessica earned her graduate nursing education from The University of Texas at El Paso. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys helping patients feel informed and comfortable throughout their healthcare journey. 

Outside of her professional life, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new places.

Deni-Mehta

Deni Mehta

Deni Mehta – co-founded the medical practice with her husband on June 14th, 1983 in the city of Hemet, California. Deni has a Bachelors degree in Chemistry and a Bachelors degree in Education. Deni is the Practice Administrator for Southland Arthritis and is also a certified DEXA technician. Deni has been instrumental to the growth of Southland Arthritis and has established strong business relationships with other providers and administrators. Deni enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family.

Dr. Marc Phillpotts

Dr. Marc Phillpotts

Dr. Marc Phillpotts is a board certified physician in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Dr. Phillpotts earned his medical degree at The University of the West Indies in Jamaica. He moved to Washington, DC where he completed Residency training in Internal Medicine at Howard University Hospital, then Fellowship training at the George Washington University. He has held an academic position as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the GW SMHS. He is a member of several professional societies including the American Medical Association, International Society of Clinical Densitometry and American College of Rheumatology. Dr. Phillpotts has expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound and bone densitometry. In his spare time, Dr. Phillpotts enjoys running, swimming and tennis.