Liam AndersonJoint pain is terrifying. When that pain is accompanied by the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, the fear can be overwhelming.
That’s why it’s important to have a great rheumatologist available to help you. But we’ve all heard those stories—the misdiagnoses, the dismissal of symptoms, the feeling of being unheard.
It’s a reality that far too many people face, so we decided to find the best rheumatologists in Vancouver.
We found doctors who understand the complexities of your condition, treat you with compassion, and empower you to live a life that isn’t defined by pain.
Here’s who made it onto our list.
How much does it cost to see a rheumatologist in Vancouver?
It costs at least 100 CAD to see a rheumatologist in Vancouver.
This is just an estimate. The total cost will depend on factors such as your insurance coverage, medication expenses, treatments, and other variables.
1. Dr. David Collins
Address: 2775 Laurel St Suite 8205B
Contact Details: +1 604-875-8270
Dr. Collins’ played a key role in establishing the early rheumatoid arthritis program in British Columbia. We love how his proactive approach to diagnosis and treatment makes a real difference in improving patients’ long-term health.
We are particularly impressed by his expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasounds. His ability to use this technology for earlier and more precise diagnoses is remarkable.
We also value his approach to sarcoidosis—a disease that causes lung inflammation. He thoroughly investigates the systemic effects of the disease, not just focusing on lung involvement.
Many patients also value Dr. Collins’ comprehensive approach to uveitis care—an eye inflammation. He works closely with ophthalmologists to ensure patients receive coordinated and effective treatment, preventing vision loss.
But more than that, Dr. Collins’ empathy and communication skills truly stand out. We admire his ability to listen and explain complex medical information easily.
However, the appointment scheduling process was challenging. We sent a follow-up twice just to get a booking confirmation.
Great bedside manner, caring and empathetic
“Best Rheumatologist in Vancouver BC! Very up to date with research and pharmaceuticals, great bedside manner, caring, empathetic, helpful, active listener and exceptional problem solving skills. He saved me from my suffering numerous times. Thank you Dr Collins for being the best doctor 🙏🏽”
–R Rav, Google Reviews
A very compassionate physician
“Very compassionate physician. Responsible & detail👍. Listen to my 84 year mother’s concern & truly care about his patients’ needs & addressed her concerns.”
-Danny Tse, Google Reviews
2. Dr. Kenneth L. Blocka
Address: 1160 Burrard St
Contact Details: +1 604-669-7124
We love how Dr. Kenneth Blocka truly listens and takes the time to understand each individual’s unique experience with their disease.
The way he handles patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is remarkable, given that it’s a tough disease to treat.
Additionally, we appreciate Dr. Blocka’s proactive approach to monitoring patient conditions and adjusting treatment plans to significantly improve prognosis.
We also admire his ability to build strong patient relationships. In fact, patients with rheumatoid arthritis told us how Dr. Blocka helped them find the right balance between symptom relief and minimizing side effects.
Others appreciated that he recommended lifestyle changes and connected them with physical therapy resources.
The one thing that disappointed us was that he tends to have double-booked appointments.
Experiences, personable, and kind
“You can’t go wrong with this man as your Rheumatologist. Experienced, personable, kind, great bedside manner: he’s ‘on your side’ when it comes to getting insurance coverage for your Rx.”
A good listener that truly understand a patient’s needs
“I have Rheumatoid Arthritis for 20 years and I have seen different doctors.I have seen Dr blocka since he took over his office. He is very knowleldgeable and helpfull.He is a good listener and understand my pain.We can not expect a magical treatment from our doctors, but what we can do is to trust our doctors which I trust Dr. Blocka.I always leave his office with a happy face. If there will be a new treatment, he always discuss with me and sees all the options to help me with the new treatment. I recommend him to my freind.”
3. Dr. Neda Amiri
Address: 630 – 221 Esplanade Ave
Contact Details: +1 604-770-4054
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 3 PM
What stands out most about Dr. Neda Amiri is her unwavering care for her patients. This is particularly evident in those dealing with rheumatic diseases during pregnancy.
Several patients praised her ability to manage their medications safely and effectively throughout their pregnancies—keeping the baby and them in optimal health.
Her genuine care is evident in every aspect of her practice, from her thorough diagnostic approach to her compassionate bedside manner.
Furthermore, we’re impressed by Dr. Amiri’s expertise in managing complex cases. Even if a patient has a rare form of arthritis, she works with them to develop a treatment plan that significantly alleviates pain.
Her consultations are also budget-friendly, which is a big plus for us. As part of those keen on managing expenses without compromising quality, we found his services to be of great value.
What fell short, if anything, were the lengthy wait times for appointments.
A caring doctor with an excellent bedside manner
“Dr Amiri is very intelligent, and caring doctor with an excellent bedside manner. She calls her patients even over the weekends to go over test results.”
–soheila hedayati, Google Reviews
An excellent rheumatologist
“Dr. Amiri is an excellent rheumatologist and takes the time to consider everything. She is so throughough and clearly has her patient’s well-being as top priority. I always leave feeling very informed and supported with my health concerns.”
–Shawna Eleanor, Google Reviews
4. Dr. J. T. Kelsall
Address: 1160 Burrard St Suite 202
Contact Details: +1 604-602-8118
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Dr. J. T. Kelsall has a knack for connecting with patients’ struggles with rheumatic diseases.
We love how he doesn’t just focus on the medication alone. He also considers the person based on lifestyle, emotional well-being, and overall health.
The way he helps those dealing with fibromyalgia in managing their pain is truly impressive.
Additionally, he makes referrals to physical therapists and cognitive behavioral therapy to address the psychological impact of chronic pain.
But what stood out to us the most was his warm and approachable personality. We appreciated that he wasn’t intimidating, making it easy to discuss any concerns openly.
However, his occasional tendency to rush through appointments fell short for us. While he is highly attentive and provides thorough explanations, he sometimes shortens sessions to accommodate everyone.
Goes above and beyond when urgent care is needed
“Dr. Kelsall has been my rheumatologist for over 10 years now and I feel extremely lucky to be in his care. He has always gone above and beyond when I needed urgent care. Dr. Kelsall takes time to listen and I have never felt rushed during follow-ups. I am very grateful for such an amazing doctor!”
–Ariane Fafard, Google Reviews
A truly excellent rheumatologist
“Really amazing MD. He knows what he’s doing, is super accessible when I have flares, and is very accommodating/efficient at getting me access to the best treatments. I came to him at 33 years old, completely debilitated by arthritis, and his quick and aggressive treatment of my RA has meant being able to stay in my physically demanding line of work. He is a truly excellent rheumatologist!”
–Abby Brown, Google Reviews
5. Dr. Maziar Badii – Artus Health Centre
Address: 839 W Broadway
Contact Details: +1 604-875-8020
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Dr. Badii’s communication style is truly admirable. We appreciate how he fosters an environment where patients feel comfortable asking any questions they may have.
Notably, many patients with ankylosing spondylitis have reported significant pain relief and improved mobility after following their treatment plans.
Beyond his treatment plans, we value how Dr. Badii skillfully combines medication management with physical therapy. He creates personalized strategies tailored to each patient’s unique needs and capabilities.
We were equally impressed by his work with severe spinal stenosis. Many patients have shared their experiences of substantial pain reduction and improved functionality under his care.
However, we were disappointed to learn that his practice does not accept all insurance plans. This could pose a challenge for some patients seeking his expertise.
Maintains a top-notch level of comfort
“I have been coming to Artus for several years now and they are really attentive and caring. They are invested in helping me improve my condition and maintain a level of comfort. My pain is managed which has greatly improved my life. I really appreciate them.”
–Leo de la Parra, Google Reviews
Professional and considerate
“Very professional and considerate. Spent a good 90 minutes with me explaining options moving forward”
–Jim Stephenson, Google Reviews
