Madiha Tariq, MD

Dr. Madiha Tariq is a board‑certified Rheumatologist recognized for her leadership in clinical operations, program development, and academic training. During her fellowship at Louisiana State University, Shreveport - Center of Excellence for Arthritis and Rheumatology, she served as Chief Rheumatology Fellow, a role that highlighted her early commitment to excellence, team leadership, and high‑quality patient care. She was also awarded LSU Champion Award for excellence in patient care.

Before joining our organization, Dr. Tariq held several major leadership positions, including Rheumatology Site Director at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and Associate Program Director for the LSU Rheumatology Fellowship Program. In these roles, she led service expansion, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, and established the VA’s outpatient rheumatology infusion clinic—an initiative that significantly improved access to specialty care for veterans.

In addition to her clinical leadership, Dr. Tariq held key academic roles, including Associate Program Director for the LSU Rheumatology Fellowship Program and Assistant Professor at LSU Health Shreveport. She has been instrumental in shaping trainee education, overseeing curriculum development, coordinating didactics, and mentoring fellows in research and quality‑improvement initiatives. Her contributions have supported the growth of future rheumatologists and enhanced the academic profile of the institutions she served.

Dr. Tariq has been an active member of multiple institutional and VISN‑level committees focused on clinical quality, informatics, workflow optimization, and specialty care innovation. Her leadership in these areas reflects a strong commitment to improving system‑level processes, enhancing patient safety, and advancing evidence‑based rheumatologic care.

With numerous peer‑reviewed publications, national conference presentations, and award‑winning quality‑improvement projects, Dr. Tariq brings a blend of clinical expertise, operational insight, and academic excellence to her role. She is dedicated to delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care while continuing to contribute to the advancement of rheumatology through leadership, education, and innovation.