About Us
At Arthritis Specialty Center, we’re dedicated to improving lives affected by rheumatic and autoimmune conditions. Our expert team, with their extensive knowledge and experience, specializes in diagnosing and treating a broad spectrum of these complex disorders, which often cause severe pain and disruptive symptoms.
We understand the profound impact these conditions can have on your daily life and overall well-being. Many rheumatic diseases are notoriously difficult to diagnose, as their symptoms can mimic other health issues. This diagnostic challenge often leads to treatment delays, prolonging patient discomfort and uncertainty.
Our rheumatologists are specially trained to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated symptoms. With compassionate care and cutting-edge knowledge, we’re here to guide you through the complexities of rheumatic and autoimmune disorders, offering hope and practical solutions for even the most challenging cases.
Meet The Doctor
Certifications Include:
- Diplomate of American Board of Internal Medicine
- Diplomate of American Board of Rheumatology
- Certified Clinical Desnitometrist (International Society of Clinical Densitometry)
- Pioneer Certification in Musculoskelatal
- Ultrasound (American registry of
- Diagnostic Sonographers)
- Certification in Rheumatology Ultrasound (American College of Rheumatology)
Dr. Ananda Walaliyadda
MD, FACR, CCD, RMSK, RHMSUS
Doctor Ananda Walaliyadda has been practicing medicine for over 24 years. Early in his career and as a student, Dr. Walaliyadda assisted in surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics, and was the Chief Resident for Internal Medicine at Raritan Bay Medical Center in New Jersey (a University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey teaching hospital). He was especially interested in rheumatic disease and decided to do Post-Doctoral research at the University of Florida.
As a post-doctoral fellow at University of Florida, he participated in two important studies – “Gout in heart transplant patients” and “Recurrent Lupus nephritis in the transplanted kidney”. At University of Florida, he also acted as the chairman for the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Walaliyadda then moved on to be a Rheumatologist and Internist for many different hospitals and settings, including Miramichi Regional Hospital, the Pocatello VA Outpatient Medical Clinic, Portneuf Medical Center, Caribou Memorial Hospital, and his own highly successful practices in Rigby and Pocatello. Dr. Walaliyadda has done excellent work in helping with the organization and delivery of rheumatological care in rural settings and has reached out to the Southeastern Idaho community by providing this medically underserved populace in the Rocky Mountains with outstanding care.
Training and education are especially important to Dr. Walaliyadda, so he has participated in many conferences and seminars as both an attendee and speaker. In addition, Dr. Walaliyadda acts as a visiting faculty for the Physician Assistant program at Idaho State University.
Meet Our Providers
Ranmali K. Walaliyadda
MPAS, PA-C, RMSK, MD, RHMSUS
Ranmali Walaliyadda obtained her medical degree from University of Bucharest in Romania. After working as a physician for a few years, she gave up her medical practice to focus on her family. After moving to the United States, she obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Idaho State University in 2005
Stephen L. Richins
PA-C
Stephen was born in SLC, UT, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma in a family of 9 children. He attended college at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID, BYU in Provo, UT, and graduated from the University of Utah as a physician assistant in 1998. He obtained his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska in 2004.
James Blaine
PA-C
James was born in Idaho Falls and raised in Mud Lake, Idaho with 3 siblings. In 1993-1994 he attended Ricks college for 1 year, then served admission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission, and then finished his bachelor’s in biology at Idaho State University in 1999.
Monika Jarzmik
Nurse Practitioner
Monika has been a part of Arthritis Specialty Center since March of 2018. She obtained her Masters of Nursing degree and Family Nurse Practitioner certification at Idaho State University in 2014. After graduating she worked in a bariatric clinic as well as in pain management/physiatry clinic diagnosing and treating multiple disorders of the spine and joints.