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's great, I've been going to her for 3 years and I couldn't ask for better.
(1 week ago)
Feb-2026
Despina is wonderful
(2 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
Very professional and a terrific listener. Caring and supportive. Definitely a 5 star ⭐️ individual in all respects!
(2 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
courteous, communicative, answers all questions to my satisfaction
(2 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
I like Dr Despina.
(3 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
Other then she is usually running late she is great with my issues
(3 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
Thanks to Despina’s compassionate care I’m doing much better.
(3 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
Had a hard time understanding what she was saying
(3 weeks ago)
Feb-2026
Thank you.
(1 month ago)
Jan-2026
Despina has a high patient load, and yet she took the time to explore questions I had for my disabled daughter, who has ankylosing spondylitis in her spine, and has been treated for the last, nearly seven years. Despina helped clarify questions that had been in my mind for some time. She did some research and in response to my offered concerns and patient history, she established a care plan, including x-rays, that would help me as a mom, guardian and RN, to better understand the prognosis and plans for my daughter in the future. Despina was patient and kind, providing excellent information and help.
(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.
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.
Despina has a high patient load, and yet she took the time to explore questions I had for my disabled daughter, who has ankylosing spondylitis in her spine, and has been treated for the last, nearly seven years. Despina helped clarify questions that had been in my mind for some time. She did some research and in response to my offered concerns and patient history, she established a care plan, including x-rays, that would help me as a mom, guardian and RN, to better understand the prognosis and plans for my daughter in the future. Despina was patient and kind, providing excellent information and help.