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5 Best Rheumatologists in Toronto (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Elara Kestrel
By Elara Kestrel, Health and Medical Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 7 min read

Joints that ache every morning, a fresh autoimmune diagnosis, or a specialist wait list that's already months long. A search for rheumatologists in Toronto turns up only 16 results with any public track record at all, and one of the five names below is a research charity rather than a treating doctor. Ratings across the five run from 4.2 to a perfect 5.0, but Dr. Jonathan Stein carries the most reviews at 23, more than any other listing here.

Short answer: Dr. Karoon Danayan tops this list at a perfect 5.0 stars across 16 reviews, though she's listed as a pediatric rheumatologist and most reviews describe general pediatric care. For adult, joint-specific rheumatology, Dr. Jonathan Stein (4.4, 23 reviews) is the clearest fit, with patients describing decade-long management of ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis. Every practice here has a thinner review history than other specialties on this site, so treat this as a starting point and confirm current wait times directly.
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How These Five Compare

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Dr. Karoon Danayan 5.0 ★ 16 Pediatric care (listed as rheumatology) View ›
2 Dr. Jonathan Stein 4.4 ★ 23 Adult rheumatology, long-term condition management View ›
3 Nancy Keesal MD 4.2 ★ 21 Thorough, unhurried consultations View ›
4 Arthritis Society Canada - National Office 4.4 ★ 18 Education, programs & advocacy, not clinical treatment View ›
5 Frances Leung MD 4.9 ★ 13 Long-term arthritis management View ›
5 Best Rheumatologists in Toronto (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Dr. Karoon Danayan logo
#1 Overall

Dr. Karoon Danayan

5.016 Google reviews

Dr. Karoon Danayan is listed on Google as a pediatric rheumatologist, a specialty focused on childhood joint and autoimmune conditions, practicing out of a Danforth Avenue office. The available reviews, several going back years, describe her primarily as a family's regular pediatrician rather than detailing specific rheumatology visits, so her broader pediatric care is what's best documented here.

What people praise

  • Multiple families describe staying with her as their children's doctor for years, in one case since birth
  • Reviewers repeatedly use words like caring and patient rather than generic praise
  • She's described as taking real time to teach kids about their own health, not just treating symptoms
  • Every available review is five stars, with no negative feedback on record

Worth knowing

  • Reviews here are older on average than others on this list and don't specifically discuss rheumatology visits, so confirm directly that she's taking rheumatology referrals before booking
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating5 / 5
Review volume16 · 72th
Confidenceearly
Recency2 years ago
Info completenessphone
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect rating, but thin and general documentation for rheumatology specifically. Worth a call to confirm she's the right fit before assuming based on the review content alone.

+1416-466-1311 Directions

235 Danforth Ave #100, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2

Dr. Jonathan Stein logo
#2

Dr. Jonathan Stein

4.423 Google reviews

Dr. Jonathan Stein practices rheumatology on Bloor Street West, and unlike some others on this list, his reviews specifically describe long-term management of conditions like ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis rather than general checkups. Several reviewers have been his patients for close to a decade or more.

What people praise

  • One patient credits over 10 years of ankylosing spondylitis management, including injection treatment, directly to his care
  • Reviewers consistently say he listens without rushing, even during a busy specialist schedule
  • Multiple family members of the same patients have also become his patients over the years
  • He's described as a good listener who takes time explaining a treatment plan

Worth knowing

  • More than one reviewer describes frustration with front-desk scheduling and confirmation, worth double-checking your appointment a few days ahead
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.4 / 5
Review volume23 · 97th
Confidenceearly
Recency4 months ago
Info completenessphone
Rating breakdown83% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The clearest rheumatology-specific track record on this list, with patients describing real long-term disease management rather than one-off visits. The scheduling friction reviewers mention sits with the office staff, not the care itself.

+1416-604-0053 Directions

2425 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6S 1P7

Nancy Keesal MD logo
#3

Nancy Keesal MD

4.221 Google reviews

Nancy Keesal practices as a physician on Bay Street, and while her specific specialty isn't detailed in her Google listing, reviewers describe her taking real time with complex, hard-to-diagnose cases and continuing to look for answers rather than moving on quickly.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe her going above and beyond to find the cause of a painful, difficult illness
  • She's praised for giving each patient the same unhurried time regardless of a busy waiting room
  • Office staff are described as lovely and helpful alongside her
  • Patients describe feeling genuinely heard rather than rushed through an appointment

Worth knowing

  • Appointments can run behind schedule, and reviewers say it's worth expecting some wait time
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.2 / 5
Review volume21 · 91th
Confidenceearly
Recency10 months ago
Info completenessphone
Rating breakdown76% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Strong, specific praise for thoroughness, though her exact specialty focus isn't confirmed in the data we have. Worth confirming directly what conditions she treats before booking.

+1416-323-0630 Directions

790 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5G 1N8

Arthritis Society Canada - National Office logo
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Arthritis Society Canada - National Office

4.418 Google reviews

Arthritis Society Canada's national office, on Bay Street, is a non-profit organization, not a treating rheumatology practice. It runs free information sessions, research funding, and support programs, including one-on-one meetings with occupational therapists, for anyone living with arthritis or a related joint condition in Toronto and across Canada.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe free workshops and information sessions as genuinely useful, in some cases teaching them more than their own doctor had
  • One-on-one sessions with an occupational therapist are singled out as life-changing for managing daily symptoms
  • Staff are described as friendly and knowledgeable across every point of contact
  • The organization funds arthritis research and publishes practical, free resources online
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.4 / 5
Review volume18 · 84th
Confidenceearly
Recency3 years ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown78% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: This isn't a place to get diagnosed or treated, but it's a genuinely useful stop for education and support alongside seeing an actual rheumatologist. Worth pairing with one of the clinical options on this list, not replacing it.

Website+1800-321-1433 Directions

220 Bay St. #300, Toronto, ON M5J 2W4

Frances Leung MD logo
#5

Frances Leung MD

4.913 Google reviews

Frances Leung practices on Broadview Avenue, and reviewers specifically describe her helping patients manage significant, ongoing arthritis pain over the course of years, in one case for three decades with the same family. Her Google listing doesn't specify a formal rheumatology designation, but the reviews consistently reference arthritis care specifically.

What people praise

  • One reviewer credits her with helping their mother cope with extreme arthritis pain over decades of care
  • She's described as sympathetic, empathetic, and unusually attentive to follow-up compared to other doctors patients have seen
  • Reviewers say she takes real time rather than counting minutes per visit
  • Multiple reviewers describe a wait as worth it given the quality of the actual appointment
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume13 · 59th
Confidenceearly
Recency3 months ago
Info completenessphone
Rating breakdown92% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The smallest review base on this list, but the arthritis-specific praise is unusually direct and consistent for someone without a listed rheumatology designation. Worth a call to confirm she's accepting rheumatology referrals.

+1416-462-1220 Directions

855 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 3Z1

6

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Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.

How We Scored These Five

Rating is each provider’s live Google average. Review volume shows how many patients actually left one, weighed against every other rheumatology-related result we found in Toronto. Confidence combines both, so a rating built on more reviews counts for more than the same rating on a handful, which is why every provider here still shows an early-stage confidence level. Recency tracks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

What Does Seeing a Rheumatologist Cost in Toronto? (2026)

Rheumatology consultations are typically covered by OHIP with a referral from a family doctor, so most Ontario residents shouldn’t expect a direct bill for the specialist visit itself. Wait times for a first appointment can run months given how few specialists this list turned up relative to other categories, so ask your family doctor to submit a referral as early as possible.

Rheumatology Resources Across Toronto

This list spans the Danforth, Bloor West, Bay Street, and Broadview Avenue, with the Arthritis Society’s national office centrally located downtown for anyone who wants information or support alongside clinical care. Anyone searching for a rheumatologist near me in Toronto should start by asking their family doctor for a referral, since wait times here tend to run longer than for general practitioners.

What to Ask Before Your First Appointment

  • Do I need a referral from my family doctor, and how long is the current wait?
  • What’s your specific experience treating my condition?
  • Will you coordinate with my family doctor or other specialists I already see?
  • What does a typical treatment plan look like, including any injections or medication?
  • Are virtual follow-up appointments available?
  • What should I bring to my first visit, like prior test results or imaging?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these five?

We compared every Toronto result tied to rheumatology with a real Google track record on rating, review volume, and how recently people are still reviewing them, then read the actual reviews for detail on what patients experienced.

How often is this updated?

We last verified this list in July 2026 and refresh it as ratings and review counts change.

Why is the review volume so much lower than other specialties on this site?

Rheumatology is a smaller specialty with fewer practicing doctors relative to demand, and many patients see the same specialist for years rather than shopping around, so review counts stay lower across the board.

Do I need a referral to see a rheumatologist in Ontario?

Yes, typically. Ask your family doctor to submit a referral, since most rheumatology visits are booked this way rather than by walking in directly.

The Bottom Line

Dr. Jonathan Stein is the clearest rheumatology-specific option here, with patients describing real long-term condition management. Ask your family doctor for a referral as early as possible given how thin specialist availability tends to be, and consider pairing your care with the Arthritis Society’s free education and support programs while you wait.

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