Despina Ciocanel, NP-C, is a highly educated Nurse Practitioner at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates (AARA).
She holds extensive degrees, including an M.D. (Univ. of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania, 1990), an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences (Univ. of Toledo, 2005), an M.A. in Health Sciences (NAU, 2014), and an M.S. in Nursing (NAU, 2017).
Despina Ciocanel, NP-C, is a highly educated Nurse Practitioner at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates (AARA).
She holds extensive degrees, including an M.D. (Univ. of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania, 1990), an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences (Univ. of Toledo, 2005), an M.A. in Health Sciences (NAU, 2014), and an M.S. in Nursing (NAU, 2017).
The reviews listed below were collected independently of Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates through rater8. Each review represents an authentic and verified patient experience.
She is notvery informed about her patient at all!! She does not pay attention as to all the patients needs and all the patients physical problems and all the meds they take. She told me to take methotrexate injections they would have destroyed my already bad kidneys I want another Dr. Not a nurse practioner!!!
(5 days ago)
Dec-2025
Despina is very nice and germ conscious
(5 days ago)
Dec-2025
Answers my questions, asks pertinent questions. Does not give any evidence of trying to rush thru appointments even though she is clearly busy
(5 days ago)
Dec-2025
I love her. She is kind and listens
(6 days ago)
Dec-2025
Despina has been my Practitioner since my first appointment over 2 years ago. I love Despina - she is a wonderful listener and really cares
(1 week ago)
Dec-2025
Talks with mask on, hard to hear her.
(2 weeks ago)
Dec-2025
Very efficient and caring!
(3 weeks ago)
Dec-2025
Always very personal with the aches and pain. She’s the best!
(1 month ago)
Nov-2025
She is very kind knowledgable.
(1 month ago)
Nov-2025
Very caring and compassionate provider. She spends time to answer questions and provide education. Always a great experience! Wish we had more providers like her!
(1 month ago)
Nov-2025
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AARA: Flagstaff
399 S. Malpais Lane Suite 108 Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Despina Ciocanel, NP-C, s originally from Romania where she practiced as a family physician for over a decade. After relocating to the United States, she joined the Orthopedics Department at the University of Toledo, Ohio where she worked nine years as a research associate , conducting multiple retrospective studies, biomechanical studies as well as randomized clinical trials. Most of her research has been published in top peer reviewed journals or has been presented at conferences nationwide. She moved to Northern Arizona and joined the Biology Department at Northern Arizona University as an instructor in 2008. She recently rejoined the clinical side of the medical field as a family nurse practitioner. Despina is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is certified by the Education Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates. She is married, has a son, and enjoys hiking and traveling with her family in her spare time. Despina has recently joined the AARA family.
She is notvery informed about her patient at all!! She does not pay attention as to all the patients needs and all the patients physical problems and all the meds they take. She told me to take methotrexate injections they would have destroyed my already bad kidneys I want another Dr. Not a nurse practioner!!!
Despina is very nice and germ conscious
Answers my questions, asks pertinent questions. Does not give any evidence of trying to rush thru appointments even though she is clearly busy
I love her. She is kind and listens
Despina has been my Practitioner since my first appointment over 2 years ago. I love Despina - she is a wonderful listener and really cares
Talks with mask on, hard to hear her.
Very efficient and caring!
Always very personal with the aches and pain. She’s the best!
She is very kind knowledgable.
Very caring and compassionate provider. She spends time to answer questions and provide education. Always a great experience! Wish we had more providers like her!