About Us

Dr. Joshy Pathiparampil, MD, is a board-certified Rheumatology and Internal Medicine physician at West County Rheumatology. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. After completing his specialized training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn, he began his practice in Saint Louis in 2019. Known warmly as "Dr. Joshy" by his patients, he is dedicated to patient-centered care, emphasizing thorough listening and comprehensive treatment approaches to address his patients' concerns.

Dr. Vijay Kannuthurai, MD, is a board-certified physician at West County Rheumatology in St. Louis, specializing in rheumatology and internal medicine. His academic excellence began at Mississippi State University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

At the University of Mississippi Medical School, Dr. Kannuthurai distinguished himself through his selection to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society, which recognizes the top 25% of medical students for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to service.

After completing his residency at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, he finished a Rheumatology fellowship at University of Alabama,Birmingham a top tier Rheumatology Fellowship.

Known to his patients simply as "Dr. Vijay," he combines his exceptional academic credentials with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. His comprehensive treatment philosophy encompasses both traditional and innovative therapies for rheumatologic conditions. At West County Rheumatology, he continues to demonstrate his commitment to excellence in patient care while staying current with the latest developments in rheumatology and internal medicine.

Dr. Sona Kamat, MD, FACR, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internal medicine physician. With  training from the University of Illinois and Saint Louis University, she serves as president of the Saint Louis Rheumatology 

Dr. Sona Kamat, MD, FACR, is a distinguished board-certified specialist in rheumatology and internal medicine. After graduating with honors, she completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Illinois, followed by a fellowship in Rheumatology at Saint Louis University. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition from the Arthritis Foundation of Missouri and Southern Illinois.

As  former president of the Saint Louis Rheumatology Society and a member of the Medical Advisory Board for Enterprise Bank, Dr. Kamat plays a vital role in advancing rheumatologic care in the region. Her election as a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology reflects her peers' recognition of her expertise and contributions to the field.

A sought-after speaker and respected clinician, Dr. Kamat combines her extensive medical knowledge with a patient-centered approach to provide comprehensive care for complex rheumatologic conditions.

Loreta Shahinaj, AGPCNP-BC, is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner at West County Rheumatology, bringing extensive experience in pulmonary, internal, and sleep medicine to her practice. Prior to joining West County Rheumatology in March 2023, she served as a Nurse Practitioner at Mercy South Pulmonary Specialists, where she developed expertise in managing complex pulmonary conditions and sleep disorders.

With a strong educational foundation, Loreta earned her Master of Science in Nursing as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.91 GPA. Her clinical background includes valuable experience in surgical-neuro intensive care at St. Anthony's Medical Center, where she managed critically ill patients with various complex conditions.

Loreta's diverse skill set is enhanced by her multilingual capabilities, being fluent in English, Albanian, Italian, and Spanish, which allows her to serve a broad patient population. She maintains active memberships in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, and Missouri Nurses Association, demonstrating her commitment to professional development and excellence in patient care.

Her comprehensive approach to patient care combines strong diagnostic and intervention skills with excellent collaborative abilities, ensuring optimal outcomes through coordinated care with her healthcare team colleagues.

Lauren Scott, NP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner at West County Rheumatology, bringing a diverse educational background and extensive clinical experience to her role. Her academic journey began at Missouri Baptist University, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in Biology with a pre-med focus. During her undergraduate years, she distinguished herself as both a scholar and athlete, competing in cross country and track for MoBap and earning an Academic All-American award.

Following her initial degree, Lauren discovered her passion for nursing and pursued an accelerated nursing program at Barnes Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. She then gained valuable clinical experience working as a registered nurse on the acute medicine floor at Barnes Jewish Hospital for 6.5 years. During this time, she furthered her education by obtaining her master's degree in Nursing from Maryville University, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Lauren's commitment to excellence in patient care is demonstrated through her board certification from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Her unique combination of academic achievement, athletic discipline, and extensive clinical experience enables her to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care at West County Rheumatology.

Lauren Sanderson, NP, is a dedicated certified nurse practitioner at West County Rheumatology in Saint Louis, Missouri, where she has been providing exceptional patient care since 2018. With nearly eight years of nursing experience, she brings extensive expertise to her practice, offering comprehensive care to patients from all backgrounds.

Her academic journey began with outstanding achievements, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012. During her undergraduate years, Lauren's exceptional academic performance earned her the prestigious Alice McEwen Nursing Scholarship. She further distinguished herself through membership in the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and active participation in the Nurse's Student Association.

Building on her strong educational foundation, Lauren pursued advanced training and certification as a nurse practitioner, demonstrating her commitment to providing the highest level of patient care. Her approach combines clinical expertise with compassionate care, ensuring each patient receives personalized attention and comprehensive treatment plans.

At West County Rheumatology, Lauren works alongside her colleagues to deliver specialized care in rheumatology, contributing to the practice's mission of providing excellent healthcare services to the Saint Louis community. Her dedication to patient care and professional development makes her an invaluable member of the healthcare team.