Published: May 12, 2008 02:31 pm            

Rheumatologist practice open in Weatherford

Crystal McCoy

cmccoy@weatherforddemocrat.com

Dr. Jharana “Jina” Shrestha is the next in a line of new doctors to set up practice in Weatherford.

Shrestha is a qualified rheumatologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other disease of the joints, bones and muscles. She is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology.

She is the first rheumatologist in Parker County and is the wife of gastroenterologist, Dr. Sanjeeb Shrestha, who’s new practice is also in town.

Originally from Nepal, Shrestha has spent most of the last two decades in the United States. With much of her family living in Texas she said, “I feel at home in Texas. It’s like I’m half Texan.”

She agreed with comments previously made by her husband that Weatherford is a great, growing community and a nice place to raise their 8-year-old daughter.

“I’m excited just to be here,” Shrestha said. “It was a joint decision for us to come here. We wouldn’t be here if one of us wouldn’t be happy.”

Shrestha attended medical school in New Delhi, India, at Lady Hardinge Medical College. Her residency for internal medicine was completed at Case Western Reserve University Metro Health Program in Cleveland and her fellowship for rheumatology was at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

She has previously practiced in Texas City, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Altoona, Pa., and in Benton County, Ark.

About 10 years ago, while practicing as an internist in Cincinnati, Shrestha realized 30 to 40 percent of her cases where rheumatoid related and decided to make the switch.

“The field is mysterious,” she said. “I have to act like a medical detective.”

She added the field is “a great balance for a young mother because we don’t have emergency calls and we can still have a personal life.”

Georgina Schmahl, director of marketing for Weatherford Regional Medical Center, said she expects Shrestha’s practice will fill quickly since the average wait time in Fort Worth to see a rheumatologist is six months.

Patients wishing to visit Shrestha must have a referral from their general practitioner.

“I enjoy taking care of patients with chronic illnesses and developing a relationship with them,” Shrestha said. “Sometimes I work with several generations of the same family. It’s very rewarding.”

Her goal is to “take off quickly and create a big referral center.” She hopes to accomplish that by working out of two locations, one in Weatherford and another in Aledo.

        

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