Virginia Reddy, M.D.
Dr. Virginia Reddy is a board-certified Rheumatologist with over 17 years of experience in diagnosing and managing autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. Her journey to becoming a doctor was deeply influenced by her mother’s battle with rheumatoid arthritis, which she witnessed from a young age. This personal experience led her to develop a strong commitment to helping others with similar conditions.
Her medical journey began at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where she attended medical school. Following medical school, she pursued a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Rheumatology at Washington University in St. Louis, completing her training in 2006.
Dr. Reddy’s practice primarily focuses on autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, and inflammatory conditions like gout. She is known for her dedication to her patients and the long-term relationships she has built with them, some of whom have been under her care for over a decade.
Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Reddy has been actively involved in volunteering with the American College of Rheumatology, contributing to issues that impact rheumatology patients and access to care at a national level. She has received recognition for her expertise and commitment, including being voted one of D Magazine’s Best Doctors from 2018 to the present, Texas Monthly’s Rising Stars in 2013-2014, and Texas Super Doctors from 2018 to the present.
Dr. Reddy’s interests extend beyond medicine. She was an English major in college and continues to enjoy reading. In her free time, she maintains an active lifestyle by using a Peloton bike and participating in Peloton classes for yoga, Pilates, and strength training. She is an avid soccer enthusiast, having coached her daughter’s youth soccer team for a decade and still playing on a recreational women’s soccer team.
Additionally, she has a passion for travel, further enriching her life outside of her medical practice.
Dr. Virginia Reddy welcomes her patients to NTCR!
Margarita Fallena, M.D.
Dr. Margarita Fallena is a board-certified rheumatologist with over 10 years of practice under her belt. She has dedicated her life to providing exceptional care to her patients.
Dr. Fallena’s academic journey began at the Universidad Anahuac in Mexico, where she graduated with honors and was recognized for her outstanding academic achievements. Her final year was a turning point, as she conducted clinical research and evaluated patients with rheumatologic conditions, igniting her passion for the complexity of these diseases.
Following her internship at St. Paul University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, she pursued a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Fallena is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and is a highly regarded member of the American College of Rheumatology. She has considerable experience in both basic and clinical research in rheumatology, with her work being published in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Fallena is a skilled physician fluent in Spanish and English, allowing her to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population. Her commitment to excellence in patient care has been consistently recognized, with her being honored as D Magazine’s best doctor for seven consecutive years, from 2018-2024.
Dr. Margarita Fallena enjoys building strong connections with her patients and providing them with support throughout their health journey as she applies her knowledge to improve patient care.
Dr. Fallena loves walking, working out, listening to audiobooks, traveling, and exploring new cultures during her free time.
Dr. Margarita Fallena welcomes her patients to the North Texas Center for Rheumatology!
Catalina Orozco, M.D.
Dr. Catalina Orozco, originally from the vibrant city of Medellin, Colombia, is a highly accomplished board-certified rheumatologist with a deep passion for improving the lives of her patients. Her desire to connect with her patients motivates her to provide the care they deserve. She provides comprehensive medical treatment to a range of patients and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Dr. Orozco is an expert in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of her field is evident through her published articles on early arthritis and participation in the CIS School in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases.
At Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud CES in Medellin, Colombia, Dr. Orozco demonstrated exceptional skills and was recognized as the top graduating medical student in her class. After completing her Internal Medicine residency and a two-year Rheumatology fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center, she went on to serve as a Staff Rheumatologist at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. Dr. Orozco’s track record of achievements is impressive, including receiving the Texas Rising Star among Super Doctors award in 2013. Additionally, D Magazine has named her one of the “Best Doctors in Dallas” for 12 consecutive years, from 2011 to 2024.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Orozco takes immense pride in the deep and meaningful relationships she cultivates with her patients. She cherishes the opportunity to partner with them on their unique health journeys, ensuring that each individual receives personalized care.
Outside work, she loves spending time with her family and enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and traveling.
Dr. Catalina Orozco welcomes her patients to NTCR!
Richard L. Stern, M.D.
Dr. Stern brings over two decades of dedicated experience to his role as a Rheumatologist. His journey began with Rheumatology Associates and culminated in his recent addition to the North Texas Center for Rheumatology team.
His academic foundation is robust, having pursued undergraduate studies in psychology, biochemistry, and biology at the University of North Texas. He earned his medical degree in 1998 from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and continued his post-graduate training at the same institution, with an Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Parkland Hospital and a Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Dr. Stern holds Board Certification in Rheumatology and is recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology. His expertise and dedication to the field have not gone unnoticed by his peers. He has consistently been featured in the Texas Monthly Super Doctors from 2013 to 2022. Moreover, he was honored as one of the “Best Doctors in Dallas” by D Magazine from 2016-2024, and in both 2020 and 2021 he was named among TX Top Docs.
Dr. Stern is deeply grateful for the trust and confidence his patients have placed in him throughout the years. He is excited to continue being a part of his patients’ lives and healthcare journeys at the North Texas Center for Rheumatology.
Dr. Stern enjoys travel and is an avid photographer in his free time. You may find many of his photos adorning the walls of the rheumatology clinic, including his photos from trips to Cuba and to coastal Maine.
Dr. Stern welcomes his patients to NTCR!
Cathy Fernandez, FNP
Cathy Fernandez, MSN, APRN, FNP-C is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who completed a Master of Science at Texas Woman’s University in 2000. She has been working in the field of rheumatology since 2001 and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Professionals and Texas Nurse Practitioners.
Cathy began her nursing career in 1988, initially working in surgery and cardiac care while pursuing higher education. In 2010, she completed the nurse practitioner postgraduate rheumatology training program, increasing her knowledge base of rheumatologic conditions to provide the best care for her patients. The most gratifying part of medical practice for Cathy is being able to care for patients personally and to provide patients education about their diagnoses and treatment options.
In her free time, Cathy stays active with yoga and walking. She is an avid cook and enjoys sharing her food with her neighbors and very appreciative coworkers. Cathy particularly enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her church community.
Cathy welcomes her patients to NTCR!