FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A new line of care is now available for patients in Central California.<\/p>\n
“The new rheumatology service will provide easier access to care for rheumatological conditions,” says Dr. Shelley Kaur Dhillon. “My goal is to diagnose early to prevent joint damage or organ damage.”<\/p>\n
Rheumatology focuses on treating autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, lupus and vasculitis.<\/p>\n
“Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks organs and other areas of the body,” Dr. Dhillon said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Dhillon will be spearheading the department and says the new service couldn’t have come at a better time.<\/p>\n
They’ve been busy treating patients since December.<\/p>\n
“It’s been really rewarding,” Dr. Dhillon said. “We’ve diagnosed some interesting diseases that are quite rare in the population. For example, because of the recent cold weather, I’ve been seeing a lot of chilblains.”<\/p>\n
Coming back to Central California is a full-circle moment for Dr. Dhillon.<\/p>\n
She did her residency with St. Agnes and eventually went to complete her fellowship in Orange County, but decided to return to the region.<\/p>\n
“I do like the population here, and I’ve had great mentors here,” she said. The population is very diverse, and I think understanding the cultural nuances and the patient population and their backgrounds is important.”<\/p>\n
Dr. Dhillon hopes to not only treat patients but also educate.<\/p>\n
“We’ve started these lunch and learn sessions with our physicians and our clinical providers,” she said. “I plan to also do community outreach.”<\/p>\n
Dr. Dhillon’s addition to the hospital’s team means more specialized doctors in Central California.<\/p>\n
She is already taking in new patients.<\/p>\n
People who want to make an appointment can visit the St. Agnes website.<\/p>\n
For news updates, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n