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Hi! I am Dr. Thao Tran.
I’m a board-certified rheumatologist and I also live with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome.
After earning my medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, I completed my Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Today, I practice in Auburn, Alabama, where I care for patients living with autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions.
But my story doesn’t stop with my white coat.
A patient once told me something that stopped me in my tracks: “You have blessed me with your story.”
She was newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, trying to put her life back together while navigating pain, fatigue, and uncertainty. In that moment, when I shared my own struggle with arthritis and fatigue, we connected, not through lab results or medications, but through shared experience.
That is the heart of why I created this website. I want to bring both science and story together. Because health is not just about lab number or diagnosis. It’s also about meaning, connection, and the courage to live with what we have.
Advocacy & Leadership
In addition to my clinical work as a rheumatologist, where I’m certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound (RhMSUS) and bone densitometry (CCD), I also serve as the Auburn chapter leader for the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR).
Each year, I travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for policies that improve access to care for people with chronic illnesses, ensuring better resources for patients like you. I’m passionate about health care policy advocacy, and though change can be slow, persistence drives progress.
I also love organizing events to bring local rheumatologists and advanced practice providers (APPs) together through AWIR. I believe that through collaboration and support, we can enrich our professional and personal lives while helping combat burnout.
Creative Outlets
Outside of medicine, watercolor painting is one of my greatest joys. Watercolor taught me that beauty doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes the paint runs, the colors blur, and what you end up with is something better than what you had planned. The unpredictability is part of the process. In medicine, and especially in rheumatology, that feels familiar. No two patients or paths, are exactly alike. There in, lie the challenge and the fun. Aside from watercolor, I also enjoy yoga, reading, building Lego, and time with my family.
Watercolor Gallery
Sometimes, healing looks like brushstrokes. Below are a few quiet moments I’ve painted: glimpses of stillness and softness in a fast-moving world.
Welcome, always.
Whether you’re seeking trusted information, support, or simply a quiet space to explore the world of rheumatology: I am glad you are here.
© 2025 Dr. Thao Tran, MD | All Rights Reserved
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