Skip to main content

Meet the Physicians

The ability to provide both primary care and specialty care sets Premier HealthCare Associates apart.

Our providers bring over 80 years of experience to our patients.Our patients have access to the expert skill and advanced procedures that only specialized physicians offer.

Our specialties include internal medicine and rheumatology, including a full-service lab, bone densitometry (DEXA) and an outpatient infusion center.

Adult Primary Care (Internal Medicine)

Elizabeth "Jody" Crognale, M.D.

Dr. Crognale

Internal Medicine and Primary Care

Dr. Crognale is originally from Florida. She moved to Virginia in 1989 to begin her education at Virginia Commonwealth University. She made Virginia her home as she continued her medical education at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

With a focus on primary care, Dr. Crognale coordinates her patient care with our specialists at Premier HealthCare Associates, Inc. as well as community physicians.

As a young physician and mother, Dr. Crognale understands the pressures of a busy family.

Education Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
School of Medicine
Richmond, Virginia
Degree: M.D.
Graduated: 1997

Virginia Commonwealth University, 1989 to 1993
Richmond, VA
Degree: B.S. - Biology Honors Program
Graduated: 1993

Post Graduate Training

Internship:
Internal Medicine
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia
Dates: 1997-1998

Residency:
Internal Medicine - Primary Care Training Program
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia
Dates: 1998 - 2000

Board Certifications:

  • 2000 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Certified
  • 2010 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Re-certified
  • USMLE Certified Steps 1,2,3
  • ACLS Certified
Michael J. Strachan, M.D.

Rheumatology

Michael J. Strachan, M.D.

Rheumatology

Dr. Strachan was born in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Strachan began private practice in 1979 and is well known for his blend of compassionate care and aggressive treatment for patients in early to advanced stages of rheumatologic diseases.

As the recipient of the Arthritis Foundation's 1998 Heroes Overcoming Arthritis Award and the 2007 Grace Branch-Moore Medical Excellence Award, Dr. Strachan has gained both local and national recognition.

Dr. Strachan has received recognition locally being voted "Top Doc" Rheumatologist in the Richmond area since 1999 by the Richmond Magazine.

Dr. Strachan speaks widely on promoting better care for patients with arthritis and osteoporosis.

He enjoys travelling with his wife, Joan, and their three adult children. He is also a fitness enthusiast who enjoys cycling.

Education
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
1967 - 1970
Admitted to Medical School in 3rd year

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
School of Medicine
Richmond, Virginia
Degree: M.D.
Graduated: 1974

Post Graduate Training

Internship:

Straight Intern in Medicine
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia
Dates: 1974 - 1975

Residency:
Internal Medicine
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia
Dates: 1975 - 1977

Fellowship:
Department of Connective Tissue/Immunology
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia
Dates: 1977 - 1979

Board Certifications:

  • 1977 - Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine
  • 1979 - Board Eligible by the American Board of Internal Medicine for Rheumatology

Professional Memberships:

  • American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine
  • Richmond Academy of Medicine
  • American College of Rheumatology
  • Board Member Arthritis Foundation - Virginia Chapter 2005 to present
  • Adjunct Faculty Department of Internal Medicine - Virginia Commonwealth University

Awards and Honors:

  • "Top Doc" Rheumatologist in the Richmond Area - Richmond Magazine, 1999 to present
  • Heroes Against Arthritis Award from the National Arthritis Foundation, 1998
  • Grace Branch-Moore Medical Excellence Award, 2007
Mihail Moroianu, M.D.

Mihail Moroianu, M.D.

Rheumatology

Dr. Moroianu received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila" in Bucharest, Romania followed by post-graduate training in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, infectious diseases, ambulatory medicine and surgery. He practiced medicine in Romania until 1994.

At that time, Dr. Moroianu moved to Toronto, Canada and completed an Internal Medicine internship and Residency at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan followed by a Rheumatology Fellowship.

Dr. Moroianu joined Premier HealthCare Associates in 2005 where he focuses on the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus, osteoarthritis, and soft tissue inflammatory conditions.

During his time away from work, Dr. Moroianu enjoys time with his wife and two children as well as international travel.

Education
University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila"
Bucharest, Romania
Degree: M.D.
Dates: 1978-1984

Post Graduate Training
Internship:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Infectious Diseases, Ambulatory Medicine, Surgery (6 months each)
Constanta Medical Center
Constanta, Romania
Dates: 1984 - 1987

Residency:
General Medicine
Constanta Medical Center
Constanta, Romania
Dates: 1988 - 1991

Internship and Residency:
Internal Medicine
Detroit Medical Center
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
Dates: 1999 - 2002

Fellowship:
Rheumatology
Detroit Medical Center Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
Dates: 2002 - 2004

Board Certifications:

  • 2002 - American Board of Internal Medicine
  • 2004 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Rheumatology

Professional Membership:

  • American College of Rheumatology
  • American Medical Association

Awards and Honors:

  • CHORD Fellowship Award offered by the National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases, 2003 - 2004
Tammy R. Spring, M.D.

Tammy R. Spring, M.D.

Rheumatology

Dr. Spring, a Richmond native, earned her undergraduate degree, cum laude, in biology from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and her medical degree with High Distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

She completed an internal medicine residency and Rheumatology Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009 and joined Premier HealthCare Associates immediately thereafter.

Dr. Spring is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and her medical interests include the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and soft tissue inflammatory conditions.

When away from medicine, Dr. Spring enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the saxophone, and outdoor adventures such as mountain biking and white water rafting.

Education
Transylvania University
Lexington, KY
Degree: B.A. Biology, cum laude, Minor in Music and Psychology
Dates: 1996 - 2000

University of Kentucky School of Medicine
Lexington, KY
Degree: M.D. with High Distinction
Dates: 2000 - 2004

Post Graduate Training

Internship:
Straight Intern in Medicine
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, VA
Dates: 2004 - 2005

Residency:
Internal Medicine
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, VA
Dates: 2004 - 2005

Fellowship:

Rheumatology
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, VA
Dates: 2007 - 2009

Board Certification:

  • 2007 - American Board of Internal Medicine
  • 2008 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Rheumatology
  • USMLE Certified Steps 1,2,3

Professional Memberships:

  • American College of Rheumatology
  • American College of Physicians

Awards and Honors:

  • Psy Chi Psychology Honorary, 1999
  • College of Medicine Scholarship, 2000 - 2001
  • Joseph Collins Scholarship, 2001 - 2004
  • Honors in Primary Care Internal Medicine Clerkship, 2003
  • Alpha Omega Alpha, 2003
  • Beale Medical Student Scholarship, 2003 - 2004
  • ACR Research and Education Foundation Rheumatology Fellowship Training Award, 2007
  • "Top Doc" Rheumatologist in the Richmond Area - Richmond Magazine, 2013
Bhakti Joshi, M.D.

Bhakti Joshi, M.D.

Rheumatology

Dr. Joshi, earned her undergraduate degree from Mediciti Institute of Medical Center in Ghanpur, Medchal in 2011.

She completed an internal medicine residency at Crozer Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania in 2016.  She completed her fellowship in Rheumatology in 2018 at the University of Arkansas for Medical sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Dr. Joshi worked as a staff Rheumatologist at Western Connecticut Health Network in Danbury, CT from 2018 until May, 2021. 

Dr. Joshi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and her medical interests include the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and soft tissue inflammatory conditions.

When away from medicine, Dr. Joshi enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Education
Mediciti Institute Of Medical Center
Ghanpur, Medchal
 Graduated:  2011

Post Graduate Training

Residency:
Internal Medicine
Crozer Chester Medical Center
Upland, Pennsylvania
Dates: 2013 -2016

Fellowship:
Rheumatology
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas
Dates: 2016-2018

Board Certification:

2016- American Board of Internal Medicine

2018 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Rheumatology

Professional Memberships:

American College of Rheumatology

Awards and Honors:
Top Doc” Rheumatologist in the Richmond Area – Richmond Magazine, 2024
Best Poster in Quality Improvement Projects, Crozer Chester Medical Center - 2016

Avnit Ahuja, M.D.

Avnit Ahuja, M.D.

Rheumatology

Dr. Ahuja completed an internal medicine residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2004 as well as her fellowship in Rheumatology in 2007 from the same program.  Dr. Ahuja worked as a Rheumatologist at Rheumatology Associates of Central Virginia from 2007 until April, 2022.

Dr. Ahuja is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Rheumatology.  Her medical interests include the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and soft tissue inflammatory conditions.

Dr. Ahuja is multi-lingual.  She is fluent in English, Punjabi and Hindi.

When away from medicine, Dr. Ahuja enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Fellowship:

Rheumatology
Albert Einstein Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA
Dates: 2005-2007

Board Certification:

2004 -  American Board of Internal Medicine
2005 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Geriatrics
2007 - American Board of Internal Medicine - Rheumatology

Professional Memberships:

American College of Rheumatology

Awards and Honors:

Northern Virginia Top Doc - last 10 years

Best of the Burg - Fredericksburg best rheumatologist - local favorite 2021