Patients in Omaha will have a new location for care in the new year as Westroads Rheumatology Associates joins the Nebraska Medicine health network. The facility, located at 10170 Nicholas St., will now be known as Nebraska Medicine Westroads Clinic. 

Westroads Rheumatology Associates has long been connected to Nebraska Medicine, working with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in helping to educate the next generation of rheumatology physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Nebraska Medicine is the clinical partner of UNMC. 

"Becoming part of Nebraska Medicine will give patients enhanced access to a variety of resources and innovations," says James Linder, MD, CEO of Nebraska Medicine. "At the same time, the staff patients know and the services they receive at our clinic will remain the same." 

William Palmer, MD, previously owned Westroads Rheumatology Associates and practiced in the Omaha community since 1978. He helped educate medical residents and students, nurse practitioner students and physician assistant students in rheumatology throughout his career. He recently passed away after a brief battle with cancer. It was his intention for his clinic to become part of Nebraska Medicine health network. 

"Joining Nebraska Medicine will be a huge benefit to both our current and future patients," says Carolyn Coyle, MD, a board-certified rheumatologist and UNMC alumnus who practiced alongside Dr. Palmer for several years. "Westroads Rheumatology Associates has always offered patients individualized, expert specialty care, convenient on-site diagnostic and infusion therapy services, and cutting-edge clinical research, in a welcoming and supportive environment. Adding all that to the resources and expertise of Nebraska Medicine will serve our patients in new, exciting ways." 

The new Nebraska Medicine Westroads Clinic will continue to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, osteoporosis, vasculitis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory muscle disease and many other connective tissue diseases. Providers there also diagnose and treat fibromyalgia, tendonitis, bursitis and other causes of musculoskeletal pain.