Nilson Tapia DO

What made you want to become a health care provider or what is your earliest memory of wanting to be one?

I wanted to become a healthcare practitioner to help the people most in need. My earliest memory is volunteering during college at a local city hospital which was very fulfilling.

What do you love most about your specialty? / Why did you choose your specialty?

Rheumatology is not a well-understood specialty, and given that there is still much to learn, it's very intriguing to me. I also enjoy being able to help people who are otherwise debilitated by their autoimmune or inflammatory joint conditions.

How do you connect with your patients?

Learning about them beyond just their disease and taking into consideration psychosocial aspects that may impact their medical care.

What are your interests outside of the office (hobbies, activities)?

Reading, writing, astronomy, hiking, camping.

What is your advice for your patients?

To trust the process and to be patient. Sometimes, it takes a while for medications to work, but we are in this together.