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.
You are so caring and gentle during your exams and truly thorough. And listen to your patients. Thank you for being so kind
(4 days ago)
Jun-2026
Very personable and kind.
(1 week ago)
Jun-2026
Dr D is a very good listener
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
Despina is great and has done a wonderful job treating me!
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
The best
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
Hard to understand a bit. Gave me a test for RA which I KNOW has already been done in the past.
(1 month ago)
May-2026
Despina is wonderful.
(1 month ago)
May-2026
This NP provides excellent patient care. She listens well and with compassion. I highly recommend her!
(1 month ago)
May-2026
I cannot understand her accent and I think it's a waste of time to see her.
(1 month ago)
May-2026
Thank you for taking the time to answer all my questions (and I had many at this time) and seeking the best path forward with me!
(1 month ago)
May-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.
You are so caring and gentle during your exams and truly thorough. And listen to your patients. Thank you for being so kind
Very personable and kind.
Dr D is a very good listener
Despina is great and has done a wonderful job treating me!
The best
Hard to understand a bit. Gave me a test for RA which I KNOW has already been done in the past.
Despina is wonderful.
This NP provides excellent patient care. She listens well and with compassion. I highly recommend her!
I cannot understand her accent and I think it's a waste of time to see her.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all my questions (and I had many at this time) and seeking the best path forward with me!