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.
Very nice and explained everything to me
(1 week ago)
Mar-2026
She's great, I've been going to her for 3 years and I couldn't ask for better.
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
Despina is wonderful
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
Very professional and a terrific listener. Caring and supportive. Definitely a 5 star ⭐️ individual in all respects!
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
courteous, communicative, answers all questions to my satisfaction
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
I like Dr Despina.
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
Other then she is usually running late she is great with my issues
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
Thanks to Despina’s compassionate care I’m doing much better.
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
Had a hard time understanding what she was saying
(1 month ago)
Feb-2026
Thank you.
(1 month ago)
Jan-2026
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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.
Very nice and explained everything to me
She's great, I've been going to her for 3 years and I couldn't ask for better.
Despina is wonderful
Very professional and a terrific listener. Caring and supportive. Definitely a 5 star ⭐️ individual in all respects!
courteous, communicative, answers all questions to my satisfaction
I like Dr Despina.
Other then she is usually running late she is great with my issues
Thanks to Despina’s compassionate care I’m doing much better.
Had a hard time understanding what she was saying
Thank you.