
Meshell Austin
Office Manager
Meshell has worked at Southwest Rheumatology since 2007. Along with her management duties, she also coordinates clinical trial contracts and budgets, assists with infusion patients, and helps patients enroll in copay assistance programs. Meshell has two children and one granddaughter.

Nancy De La Cruz, CCRC
Certified Clinical Research Coordinator
Nancy began her medical career in 2004 as a medical assistant, and she has been involved with clinical research since 2007. Throughout her career as a clinical research coordinator, she has earned certifications from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (2013) and National Health Career Association (2014). Nancy has extensive experience in rheumatology, internal medicine, asthma/allergy, immunology, and oncology.

Guadalupe Cindo, NRCMA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Lupe has worked at Southwest Rheumatology since 2015. She began her medical career in 2004 as a Certified Medical Assistant, and she has been involved with clinical research since 2011. She has extensive experience with Phase I-IV clinical trials. Her therapeutic expertise includes rheumatology, cardiovascular comorbidities, endocrinology, mental health disorders, GI disorders, pulmonology, chronic pain, sleep disorders and autoimmune disorders. In her free time, she enjoys camping outdoors, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Nancy Rosales, CRC
Clinical Research Coordinator
Nancy has 16 years of clinical research experience, and she joined Southwest Rheumatology as a clinical research coordinator in February 2019. She is a member of The Society of Clinical Research Associates. She has expertise in the following therapeutic areas: rheumatology, gastroenterology, hepatology, cardiovascular, endocrinology, oncology and allergy. She has experience with Phase I - IV studies. On her time off she enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.

Joan Mendoza
Pharmacy Coordinator
Joan has worked at Southwest Rheumatology since September 2015, with roles in both pharmacy and regulatory. She became certified as a National Licensed Pharmacy Technician in 2004 and had nearly a decade of pharmacy experience when she joined our team. Joan is a wife and mother of five beautiful children, and she loves to spend time with her family.

Amy Vongphakdy
Pharmacy Coordinator
Amy has been with Southwest Rheumatology since August 2019. She became a licensed pharmacy technician in 2016, with previous experience in both retail and specialty pharmacies. Amy loves to spend time with family, travel, and watch football.

Marta Lopez
Research Assistant
Marta has worked in the medical field for 18 years as both an x-ray tech and a medical assistant. She had 8 years of rheumatology experience when she joined Southwest Rheumatology in October 2017. Marta enjoys being busy, and she works tirelessly to support the clinical research team.

Teresa Hernandez
Lab Coordinator
Teresa has worked in the medical field for nearly 18 years, and she joined Southwest Rheumatology in March 2019. She has extensive experience in laboratory procedures and phlebotomy, and she has worked in a dental lab and orthopedics practice in the past. In her spare time, Teresa loves spending time with her family and friends and she is a huge Cowboys fan.

Jodi Williams
Patient Recruitment Specialist
Jodi is an experienced patient recruiter with a long career in the medical field and a strong commitment to helping patients. She is a wife of over 28 years, a mom to 3 wonderful adult children, and she is very proud of her 3 dogs, 1 cat, and 5 grand-dogs. Jodi is very active in her church, where she runs the video ministry for media streaming outreach. In her spare time, she enjoys family time, game nights, and cookouts.

Steve Macofsky, LMRT
X-Ray Technician
Steve has worked at Southwest Rheumatology since 2009. He has had a long career in the medical field since graduating from x-ray school in 1979. In addition to his x-ray duties, Steve serves as the joint assessor for most of our research studies. Steve is a people person who loves to discover humor and joy in all aspects of life. His hobbies include travel and marine reef aquarium keeping.