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Choosing the Best Murrieta Arthritis Doctor

Finding Relief: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Murrieta Arthritis Doctor

Medically reviewed by Dr. Amal Mehta, MD.

There is a certain kind of quiet that settles over the Inland Empire in the early morning—the way the light hits the Santa Rosa Plateau, soft and full of promise. But for those living with the persistent, aching hum of joint pain, the morning isn’t always a beginning; sometimes, it’s a hurdle. It’s the stiffness in the fingers as you reach for a coffee mug, or the hesitation in the knees before the first step of the day.

When you find yourself typing “Murrieta arthritis doctor” into a search bar at 6:00 AM, you aren’t just looking for a medical degree. You are looking for your life back. You are looking for the version of yourself that can walk through the Murrieta Farmers Market or garden without the shadow of inflammation looming over you.

Finding relief is a journey, and choosing the right guide for that journey is the most important step you’ll take. Here is how to find the specialist who sees the person, not just the symptoms.


Seek the Weight of Experience

In the world of rheumatology, experience is the quiet foundation of trust. You want a team that has seen the complexities of autoimmune diseases through every lens. At Southland Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center, the legacy began in 1983. This isn’t just a clinic; it’s a pillar of the Inland Empire.

When searching for a Murrieta arthritis doctor, look for board certification. It is the gold standard that ensures your physician has met the highest rigorous benchmarks of the American Board of Internal Medicine. It’s the difference between a general approach and the specialized precision required to manage conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus.


The Art of the Listen

There is a clinical side to medicine, and then there is the human side. I’ve noticed that the best healing often begins with a conversation. You need a doctor who doesn’t just look at your lab results, but looks at you.

Patients often speak of Dr. Amal Mehta—who works closely with the medical community right here in the Murrieta area—as someone who listens until the room feels still. In your search, prioritize a practice where the testimonials mention compassion as often as they mention “effective treatment.” Because when you feel heard, you feel empowered.


Innovation Close to Home

We often think we have to drive to Los Angeles or San Diego for “cutting-edge” care. But the truth is, the future of rheumatology is already here in our backyard.

A top-tier Murrieta arthritis doctor should offer more than just a prescription pad. They should offer:

  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: To see what’s happening inside the joint in real-time.
  • On-site Infusion Centers: For comfortable, specialized biologic treatments.
  • Clinical Trials: Access to FDA-phase trials that bring tomorrow’s medicine to you today.


Reclaiming the “New Normal”

The goal of seeing a specialist shouldn’t just be “less pain.” It should be the restoration of your dignity and your daily joys. Whether it’s through joint injections that provide immediate ease or a long-term plan for advanced osteoporosis, your doctor should be focused on your “why”—the reason you want to feel better.

If the morning light in Murrieta has felt a little dimmer lately because of the physical weight you’re carrying, know that you don’t have to carry it alone. The right doctor is out there, waiting to help you turn the page.

 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.