Meet the Professionals Behind Our Rheumatology Center

A group of doctors standing in front of a wall.
A man in white lab coat and red tie.

Dr. Payman Monshie, M.D., F.A.C.R.

Dr. Payman Monshie, MD (Hashem Vahabzadeh-Monshie, M.D.) is the founder of the Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center in Northern Virginia...

Dr. Payman Monshie, M.D., F.A.C.R.

Dr. Payman Monshie, MD (Hashem Vahabzadeh-Monshie, M.D.) is the founder of the Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center in Northern Virginia. He is double board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology.

Dr. Monshie successfully graduated on Top 1% of medical graduates from Azad University of Medical Sciences, where he received the Dean award for excellence in medicine; he completed his Internship and residency in New York and after completing two years of the rheumatology research fellowship at MedStar Research Institute, subsequently completed his Rheumatology fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

During the fellowship, he pursued training in musculoskeletal ultrasound to use this modality to diagnose joint and soft tissue rheumatism and perform precise ultrasound-guided joint injections.

Dr. Monshie is a fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and has participated in publishing multiple abstracts and manuscripts, which were published in the American Journal of Rheumatology (Arthritis & Rheumatism) and Clinical Rheumatology, Journal of the international league of Association for Rheumatology.

Dr. Monshie has earned an award for top abstract and oral presentation at 6th Annual Congress of Clinical Rheumatology and National Young Rheumatology Investigator and an award for top poster at 10th Annual Rheumatology Fellows Forum from Rheumatism Society of District of Columbia in May 2012.

Dr. Monshie has an interest in managing fibromyalgia, gout, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. Some of Dr. Monshie’s abstracts and publications are listed below:

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in African-American patients - the need to measure disease burden

Prevalence and Characteristics of Uveitis in US Veterans with Seronegative Spondyloarthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis in a Diverse Ethnic Cohort

Read More
Profilepicture copy 2 (8dc5bc8a-de80-43af-874a-a7f6d03b6d40)

Dr. Hesum Chegini, D.O., F.A.C.R.

Dr. Hesum Chegini completed his Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Maryland and is board-certified in both Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. Before joining our practice, Dr. Chegini dedicated nearly a decade to providing exceptional carein Maryland. He was affiliated with Washington Hospital Center, Holy Cross Hospital, and Suburban Hospital. 

Dr. Hesum Chegini, D.O., F.A.C.R.

Dr. Hesum Chegini completed his Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Maryland and is board-certified in both Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. Before joining our practice, Dr. Chegini dedicated nearly a decade to providing exceptional care in Maryland. He was affiliated with Washington Hospital Center, Holy Cross Hospital, and Suburban Hospital. Additionally, he served as an adjunct faculty member in Medicine for Kaiser Permanente, where he mentored residents and doctors in training. From 2017 to 2019, Dr. Chegini served as an Executive Board Member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, advocating for both physicians and patients, and his contributions were recognized. Dr. Chegini brings extensive experience in diagnosing and managing a broad spectrum of autoimmune rheumatologic disorders, as well as conditions affecting the joints, muscles,tendons, and bones. Currently accepting new patients, Dr. Chegini believes in collaborating closely with each individual to develop personalized treatment plans for recovery and long-term health.

Read More
A man in a suit and tie smiling for the camera.

Nima Madanchi, M.D, F.A.C.R.

Dr. Nima Madanchi is double boardcertified in internal medicine and rheumatology. After graduating with honors from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (the ranked one medical school in Iran), ...

Dr. Nima Madanchi, M.D, F.A.C.R

Dr. Nima Madanchi is double boardcertified in internal medicine and rheumatology. After graduating with honors from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (the ranked one medical school in Iran), he completed his research fellowship at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He moved to the Washington, DC in 2017 to pursue his training in Internal Medicine residency at Georgetown University followed by his rheumatology fellowship at the Virginia Commonwealth University. He then pursued his academic career by completing his postdoctoral fellowship at the Lupus Center of Johns Hopkins University (ranked one rheumatology division in the nation) under supervision of the internationally renowned lupus expert, Dr. Michelle Petri.

He has authored more than 25 publications in the international conferences and medical journals including Arthritis & Rheumatology, International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease, and international journal of cardiology. Among other awards, he won the Best Presentation Award of the 4th Annual Conference of National Medical Association Region II in 2022, and the Second-Best Presentation Award of the North American Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum in 2023. He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and was an invited speaker at the ACR international conference in 2023.Dr. Madanchi's areas of interest are rheumatic and autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatic diseases in pregnancy, as well as osteoarthritis, gout, and joint injections.Some of Dr. Madanchi’s abstracts and publications are listed below:•    Prevalence and Predictors of Sustained Remission/Low Disease Activity After Discontinuation of Induction or Maintenance Treatment with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic and Scoping Review.•    Risk factors of Bone loss in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.•    Association Between Vitamin D, Body Mass Index, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus•    Diagnostic Approach to Identifying Small Fiber Neuropathy in Patients with Sarcoidosis.•    Possible Association Between COVID-19 Infection and de Novo Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis•    The Relationship between Plasma Homocysteine Level and HLA-B51 in Patients with Behcet's Disease: a Case-control Study.•    Rituximab in Minimal Change Disease: Mechanisms of Action and Hypotheses for Future Studies.

Read More
A woman in white lab coat standing next to wall.

Amanda R. Laurent, PA-C

Amanda is a board-certified physician assistant, licensed to practice in Virginia and Maryland...

Amanda R. Laurent, PA-C

Amanda is a board-certified physician assistant, licensed to practice in Virginia and Maryland.
She attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, near her hometown, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a major in Neuroscience. She later went to North Carolina to pursue a Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP) at Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Since graduation, she has spent time in orthopedics and sleep medicine, treating patients in a variety of clinical settings. She is now excited to be working at Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center where she can continue to provide patient-centered care. She enjoys working closely with patients to make lasting changes that improve function and overall quality of life.

Outside of work, Amanda spends time with her husband and dogs and delights in reading, riding motorcycles, and indoor rock climbing.

Read More
Christine

Christine Martin, PA-C

Christine Martin is a board-certified physician assistantlicensed to practice in Virginia. She graduated magna cum laude from ClemsonUniversity with a Bachelor of Science in Genetics...

Christine Martin

Christine Martin is a board-certified physician assistant licensed to practice in Virginia. She graduated magna cum laude from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and a minor in Spanish. She then received her Master of Science in Health Sciences from The George Washington University’s PA program in Washington, D.C.. Christine is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Associates.

As a provider, Christine strives to empower patients through education and individualized care. She invites her patients to be an active part of their treatment plan, understanding that medical care is best delivered when providers and patients work as a team. She is excited to bring this patient care philosophy to her work at Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology, and Osteoporosis Center.

Outside of the office, Christine enjoys traveling the globe, hosting game nights, and spending time with her Goldendoodle, Cooper.

Read More
A woman in blue scrubs is smiling for the camera.

Denise Simcic

Denise found passion in caring for others while working for two nonprofit organizations supporting adults with physical, mental, and behavioral challenges...

Denise Simcic

Denise found passion in caring for others while working for two nonprofit organizations supporting adults with physical, mental, and behavioral challenges. She went to Everest College to become a Medical Assistant in 2010. She first started working in general practice, but since 2012, she has had the pleasure of working at the Arthritis Care Center and since 2017, Denise has been working at the Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center.

Read More
A woman with grey hair and blue shirt smiling.

Carlota Rodriguez

Carlota studied at Harrison College for Medical Assisting and received her associate’s degree in 2011...

Carlota Rodriguez

Carlota studied at Harrison College for Medical Assisting and received her associate’s degree in 2011. She first worked at an Urgent Care Clinic and started working at The Arthritis Care Center and Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center in 2014. Carlota has learned so much working here and has also come to know and love all her patients here.

Read More
A woman in blue scrubs is smiling for the camera.

Jessica Soza

Jessica started her career in the medical field in 2013 when she attended Everest College...

Jessica Soza

Jessica started her career in the medical field in 2013 when she attended Everest College. While she was at Everest College, she completed her Medical Assistant degree. She then went off and did an internship at a primary care facility which she transitioned into staying full time. In 2015, she discovered a passion for rheumatology and had transitioned into a specialty office where she has grown her knowledge by learning under her doctors and colleagues. Through her gained knowledge and expertise, she has been able to better assist all of her patients and take great care of them.

Read More
A woman in blue scrubs smiling for the camera.

Marlen D. Almonte

Marlen first got interested in the medical field in high school when she used to volunteer at a hospice during the holidays and special occasions...

Marlen D. Almonte

Marlen first got interested in the medical field in high school when she used to volunteer at a hospice during the holidays and special occasions. In 2016, while working for a home health care agency, she made the decision to become a medical assistant at NOVA, and in 2017 she worked at a walking clinic where she got experience in general practice and learned how to properly take care of patients with different levels of care. By 2019, she wanted to work in an area that actually helped patients in need and then had the opportunity of a full-time job doing what she loves at the Greater Washington Arthritis, Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center.

Read More
A woman in blue scrubs is smiling for the camera.

Anita Portillo

Anita is the front desk receptionist here at Greater Washington Rheumatology. She has experience with customer care...

Anita Portillo

Anita is the front desk receptionist here at Greater Washington Rheumatology. She has experience with customer care and she loves doing what she can to make our patients feel at ease. In her spare time she enjoys to sing, Dance, Play piano, Vlog and go shopping.

Read More