Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is proud to offer specialized rheumatology care in collaboration with Arthritis Physicians of Michigan. This expert team focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and immune system—particularly autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Rheumatology is a medical specialty that deals with the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal and systemic autoimmune diseases. These disorders often cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and may also affect internal organs.
Common conditions treated by our rheumatology team include:
Many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are difficult to diagnose and require careful evaluation by a specialist. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent joint damage and organ complications.
You may benefit from a referral to rheumatology if you’re experiencing:
In partnership with Arthritis Physicians of Michigan, we offer:
We’re committed to helping patients manage their conditions, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Rheumatology services at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital are available by referral only. Please talk to your primary care provider about your symptoms and request a referral to Arthritis Physicians of Michigan.
Once your referral is received, our team will contact you to schedule your consultation. If you have questions, please contact our scheduling team at 906-341-2153.
Dr. Roman Czubatyj was born, raised, and schooled in the Metro Detroit area. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Wayne State University and continued on at Wayne Medical School for his medical degree. His next four years were spent on a combined residency program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, where he was chosen to be the chief resident for the combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency program at the Detroit Medical Center. When his chief residency was completed, he started his fellowship in rheumatology at both the Detroit Medical Center and Henry Ford Hospital. During his fellowship tenure, he presented numerous papers on a wide variety of topics related to his studies. Dr. Czubatyj is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Rheumatology.
Upon completing his fellowship, he joined Dr. John Tower’s medical practice at Arthritis Physicians. At that time, he also became a member of the William Beaumont Hospital (Troy) Medical Staff.
Dr. Czubatyj is currently involved in many organizations and volunteer work. He has always volunteered his time to various organizations including churches, scouting groups, social clubs and subsidized living facilities for senior citizens and disabled persons. While in medical school, he co-founded the WSU chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and served as its first president.
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Dr. Mahpara Syed has been practicing Rheumatology in Southeast Michigan since 2007. She received her medical degree from Fatima Jinnah Medical College and completed residency program in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. After working as Chief Resident, she completed her fellowship program in Rheumatology at Wayne State University/ Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Syed is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
She is a member of William Beaumont Hospital Medical Staff and serves as an instructor at Oakland University William Beaumont (OUWB) Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. She has been engaged in medical school admission screening process as well as teaching medical students and residents in clinical setting.
Dr. Syed’s special interest is focused on management of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, and for that, she served as a member of the team engaged in creating and incorporating disease activity measures in EPIC EMR. She practices evidence-based medicine and has made quality improvements through gained knowledge and adoption of rapid advances in technology.
Besides taking care of patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and stays closely connected with family and friends.
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Kari Ewalt PA-C graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2022 from their physician assistant program. She was previously employed and certified as a licensed Athletic Trainer since 2001. She has a Master of Art degree in athletic training from Western Michigan University and received her Baccalaureate from San Jose State University in California. During that time, she was able to develop her skills in orthopedic medicine while working with professional, college, and high school athletes. She worked at Henry Ford Health System for many years providing quality care to a diverse population of student athletes and aid in the clinic setting with orthopedic surgeons.
Kari decided to go back to school to earn her degree as a physician assistant in 2019. She values the patient-provider relationship that develops while providing care and understanding. The field of rheumatology has been challenging and exciting. She appreciates the complexity of the field and looks forward to improving the quality of life for her patients.
In her spare time, she enjoys going on cruises, cycling, walking, and reading. Her family enjoys the northern Macomb area and their many pets of 7 cats and 2 large dogs. This tends to keep them busy.
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Dr. John Tower received both his undergraduate degree and his medical degree in Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University. He is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, completing his fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.
Upon completion of his Rheumatology fellowship in 1991, he joined the William Beaumont-Troy Medical Staff and has served in a number of roles. He has chaired a number of hospital quality, safety and process improvement committees over the last 10 years. In 2000, he was named the Medical Director of Quality and Chief Patient Safety Officer at Troy Beaumont Hospital. In 2002, he was selected as one of fifty individuals for the inaugural class of the Health Forum’s Patient Safety Fellowship. Dr. Tower has continued to make changes in the national patient safety initiative and works with the Corporate Patient Safety Council at Beaumont. He spoke at the 5th Annual National Patient Safety Congress in Washington DC, relating to system changes, which led to William Beaumont Hospitals’ to be recognized as a finalist for the American Hospital Association’s annual patient safety award, The Quest for Quality Award, co-sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation. More recently, Beaumont, Troy was recognized in quality, safety, and performance improvement for the sixth time in seven years as a Solucient “100 Top Hospital” for teaching hospitals of its size—an additional testimony to Dr. Tower’s leadership and ability to effect change in this area.
He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arthritis Foundation of Michigan and has been a volunteer with the organization for over 18 years. He is also a member of the task force for revision of the State of Michigan’s Arthritis Action Plan, a collaborative effort the Michigan Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Tower also serves on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan Hospital Association “TAG” (technical advisory group) working to shape the future of the incentive, “pay for performance” plan in Michigan. Dr. Tower’s work and medical leadership were acknowledged in 2008, as he was awarded Health Care Leader of the Year by the Michigan Hospital Association. With Dr. Tower’s background and experience in Quality and Safety, he has accepted a 2-year term on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Peer Review Organization, the state’s quality improvement organization.
Dr. Tower has authored several articles for publications. He also lectures regularly and presents on a variety of rheumatologic topics, as well as in the area of quality and patient safety in both classroom and conference settings, locally and nationally.
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Fadya Siso is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in Rheumatology. She earned her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Detroit Mercy. She began her career in rheumatology, where she developed a deep passion for helping patients manage autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Fadya takes a patient-centered approach, focusing on education and early intervention. She believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and resources they need to take an active role in their health and well-being.
She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA).
Outside of work, Fadya enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family.
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Dr. Rockwell was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She received her Bachelor in Science Degree in Physiology from Michigan State University and continued her medical school training at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Rockwell completed her three-year residency program in Internal Medicine at McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens, MI. She then traveled to Cleveland and completed her two-year Rheumatology fellowship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.
Dr. Rockwell is fascinated by the diversity of disease processes in the field of rheumatology. During her fellowship, she was elected Chief Fellow of her division and published articles on a variety of topics, including her interest in inflammatory myopathies. Dr. Rockwell is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Upon completion of fellowship, she joined Arthritis Physicians and has become a member of William Beaumont Hospital (Troy) Medical Staff. She is a clinical faculty member at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine where she assists in rheumatology education.
Outside of the office, Dr. Rockwell is constantly on the run with her husband and children enjoying a multitude of activities available in our great state.
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Everyone in the ambulatory care/outpatient surgery were great!! They all made me feel very comfortable and did a great job!!! thank you to the whole outpatient staff and Doctor Rayner..I would recommend Schoolcraft or patient to anyone in need of surgery
Reviewer: Jeremy Sitkoski
out of 5 stars
The care that was provided by The nurses (Cindy, Felicia Ruth) and staff was exceptional. The entire staff was very friendly and made you feel welcome. We received a call from Felicia the next day to check on my husband to check his pain level and do a follow up. The surgery area from check in to check out was well organized, clean, and up to date. Thank you to all of you for what you do so well and everything beyond your normal duties.
Reviewer: Maureen DesChamps
5 out of 5 stars