We provide comprehensive rheumatology treatment to help our patients live their best life.
The rheumatology treatment you've been waiting for!
We provide comprehensive rheumatology treatment to help our patients live their best life.
Welcome to Sonora Rheumatology Medical Group
From The Desk of W Richard Horn, NP
Dear friends, patients, and colleagues,
I have decided to retire from Rheumatology and clinical treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, I am closing my Rheumatology clinic to in person treatment of patients.
I have learned so much in the past years since I first began working with Michael J. Fairfax, DO at his clinic Arthrocare. It has been a fascinating journey and a continuing educational experience. It has been my privilege to help patients suffering with these debilitating diseases. My best teachers have been my patients who came to me for treatment of their autoimmune disease. Like most clinicians my most memorable experiences have been my mistakes. Those mistakes had the most impact on changing the path of clinical treatment in Rheumatology. It made my approach more cautious. Scientific research has resulted in the creation of many individual “biologic” medications targeting specific rheumatological diseases.
For many patients these medications have been life changing and yet there have also been significant side effects experienced by some patients. The increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the United States and other developed economies have coincided with an increasingly inflammatory diet, the Standard American Diet (aka SAD).
I am not against using the advanced medications that we now have, but I believe we should offer in all cases the potential of a trial of the Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet (see The China Study by T. Colin Campbell) should be recommended to each patient. First tier medications for the autoimmune disease would best be delayed by four weeks to see what diet alone can do. Without full relief a medication approved for the diagnosed disease can be started. I was never taught this by any Rheumatologist or rheumatology literature. It was a few of my brilliant patients who kept exploring what they could do to for themselves to take care of their body and effectively treat their disease—they showed me how successful a WFPB diet could be to restore their health. Many have their health back not just the absence of disease.
To those of you who are currently suffering from joint pain, rashes, fatigue, etc. I urge you to have labs done an be evaluated by your primary care physician. If a diagnosis for the constellation of symptoms you are experiencing cannot be found, ask for a referral to a Rheumatologist. However, if you are following the Standard American Diet (aka SAD) you are likely to be overweight and may have other diet related symptoms. Don’t delay adopt the WFPB diet (take a supplement of) and have your vitamin D level checked. I recommend Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman MD. Joel is a former Olympic Athlete, and was on the United States Team. Also don’t forget to talk to your primary care physician about what you are doing and encourage him to read Joel’s book if he is skeptical. There is a lot of additional high-quality research reported by the following physicians: Caldwell B. Esselstyn MD, Brooke Goldner, Michael Greger MD, Dean Ornish MD, Valter Longo, PhD, and others.
Finally, I want to sincerely thank those patients of mine who shared their own experiences, thoughts
and theories about their disease with me. You have saved my life. I now join now with a growing
number of brilliant, passionate and dedicated clinicians and researchers. Our goal is nothing less than to make the WFPB diet the most common American diet. We can do this! We beat the tobacco industry and we can beat the processed food, dairy and animal protein industry with weight of scientific evidence. Through such a change we will dramatically reduce the burden of chronic disease and suffering among Americans, reduce insurance costs, reduce water usage and pollution, help preserve the diversity of species and the environment of our little blue planet itself.
My best wishes to all of you for health and happiness.
Sincerely, W Richard Horn, NP
About Sonora Rheumatology
W Richard Horn, NP Philosophy
At Sonora Rheumatology, we believe that healthcare should be patient-centered. We strive to ask the right questions and get to know the patient in order to provide a rheumatology treatment that is tailored to each patient's unique needs and preferences. Our goal is to empower our patients to take an active role in their health and well-being.
Our Expertise
Richard Horn, NP healthcare specialist in the care and treatment of Rheumatology, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. He is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest advances in rheumatology treatment, medical research, and technology to ensure that his patients receive the best possible care.
Our Practice
We are proud to offer a concierge rheumatology experience designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming one on one environment for our patients. From our spacious waiting rooms to our private exam room, and virtual appointments we are committed to providing a positive patient experience.
