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Dr. Elam is an assistant professor in the division of Rheumatology at Medical College of Georgia. Her clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and patient-centered treatment of autoimmune, musculoskeletal and bone diseases, including inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis), myositis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic vasculitis and osteoporosis, among others. Her research interests are in improving holistic health of patients with autoimmune disease through optimizing preventive care for common complications. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia and was a member of the prestigious Foundation Fellowship. Dr. Elam then attended Johns Hopkins University, where she graduated with a master’s in biostatistics. She trained at Medical College of Georgia, completing her medical degree, residency in internal medicine and rheumatology fellowship. Dr. Elam is board certified in internal medicine and is an active member of the American College of Rheumatology and the Georgia Society of Rheumatology.
Specialties
Rheumatology
Internal Medicine
Education & Training
Medical College of Georgia-Augusta University
Degree
Doctor of Medicine
Residency
Augusta University Medical Center
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Fellowship
Augusta University Medical Center
Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center
Languages spoken
English
Common Treatments, Conditions, and Procedures
Arthritis
Patient Reviews
Overall patient rating
4.6
Based on 80 patient ratings
I'd recommend this provider to family and friends
I'd recommend this practice to family and friends
Shared the right amount of information
Listened to me carefully
Earned my trust
All reviews have been submitted by patients after seeing the provider.For more information about the review system, check out this Learn more about our review system.
Patient Reviews
5
Dr. Elam and her staff are wonderful. I would recommend her highly. She is so attentive and caring and you really feel like you are in good hands.
January 25, 2026
5
Dr. Elam is the very best and a Barry caring doctor makes you feel very special and truly concerned about your health
January 23, 2026
5
Entire experience excellent. Only complaint was finding parking.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr Elam is one of the most helpful, attentive doctor I have ever dealt with. She answers messages and handles paperwork in a timely manner.
January 17, 2026
5
Dr Elam was very thorough in her questioning of me and very thorough in her explanations to me. I felt very confident with her and this was my first visit. I will go back to her again if ever needed and would definitely recommend her to family and friends. I have sent her contact information to two doctors in my area so that they will have her information for referrals.
January 12, 2026
5
Very good
January 9, 2026
5
Arrived 10 minutes before scheduled appointment time to sign in. Sat in lobby for 45 minutes before checking back with desk, and they never signed me in. Too distracted on electronic devices and not paying attention
November 30, 2025
5
Dr Elam is thoughtful, thorough and very compassionate.
November 22, 2025
5
Love Dr. Elam so much! And Cassandra is awesome. The front staff are the best. And the nurses are top notch!
November 14, 2025
5
This provider, Dr Elam was exceptional
October 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is wonderful!
October 4, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is very professional with compassion. She is a great Rheumatologist and I highly recommend her.
September 13, 2025
5
I really appreciate the practice and their kindness and professionalism. Dr Elam goes above and beyond to answer my questions and makes sure I understand the plan of action going forward.
August 29, 2025
5
The Only difficult thing was at the lab. They had to draw 5 vials of blood. Before they started, I told them that I am not "good with needles"...I don't like blood draws. The woman drawing my blood was a 'novice', being watched over by a second nurse. I wish She had drawn my blood! The novice hurt, left quite a bruise, and by the 5th vial, she couldn't get any blood out & painfully stroked my arm/the vein. It was Not a good experience. I totally understand that people have to learn by doing, but Not on people like me, that are Not Good w/Needles!
August 29, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is terrific and although I don't recall the physician that initially took my history, she was very thorough and professional.
August 2, 2025
5
Dr Elam is very knowledgeable about my condition and complications. She has discussed various options for treatment and medications. She has acknowledged my concerns and addressed any questions l have had. She has even telephoned me at home following a surgery to inquire about pathology report.
July 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam and her staff are wonderful. I would recommend her highly. She is so attentive and caring and you really feel like you are in good hands.
January 25, 2026
5
Dr. Elam is the very best and a Barry caring doctor makes you feel very special and truly concerned about your health
January 23, 2026
5
Entire experience excellent. Only complaint was finding parking.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr Elam is one of the most helpful, attentive doctor I have ever dealt with. She answers messages and handles paperwork in a timely manner.
January 17, 2026
5
Dr Elam was very thorough in her questioning of me and very thorough in her explanations to me. I felt very confident with her and this was my first visit. I will go back to her again if ever needed and would definitely recommend her to family and friends. I have sent her contact information to two doctors in my area so that they will have her information for referrals.
January 12, 2026
5
Very good
January 9, 2026
5
Arrived 10 minutes before scheduled appointment time to sign in. Sat in lobby for 45 minutes before checking back with desk, and they never signed me in. Too distracted on electronic devices and not paying attention
November 30, 2025
5
Dr Elam is thoughtful, thorough and very compassionate.
November 22, 2025
5
Love Dr. Elam so much! And Cassandra is awesome. The front staff are the best. And the nurses are top notch!
November 14, 2025
5
This provider, Dr Elam was exceptional
October 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is wonderful!
October 4, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is very professional with compassion. She is a great Rheumatologist and I highly recommend her.
September 13, 2025
5
I really appreciate the practice and their kindness and professionalism. Dr Elam goes above and beyond to answer my questions and makes sure I understand the plan of action going forward.
August 29, 2025
5
The Only difficult thing was at the lab. They had to draw 5 vials of blood. Before they started, I told them that I am not "good with needles"...I don't like blood draws. The woman drawing my blood was a 'novice', being watched over by a second nurse. I wish She had drawn my blood! The novice hurt, left quite a bruise, and by the 5th vial, she couldn't get any blood out & painfully stroked my arm/the vein. It was Not a good experience. I totally understand that people have to learn by doing, but Not on people like me, that are Not Good w/Needles!
August 29, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is terrific and although I don't recall the physician that initially took my history, she was very thorough and professional.
August 2, 2025
5
Dr Elam is very knowledgeable about my condition and complications. She has discussed various options for treatment and medications. She has acknowledged my concerns and addressed any questions l have had. She has even telephoned me at home following a surgery to inquire about pathology report.
July 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam and her staff are wonderful. I would recommend her highly. She is so attentive and caring and you really feel like you are in good hands.
January 25, 2026
5
Dr. Elam is the very best and a Barry caring doctor makes you feel very special and truly concerned about your health
January 23, 2026
5
Entire experience excellent. Only complaint was finding parking.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr Elam is one of the most helpful, attentive doctor I have ever dealt with. She answers messages and handles paperwork in a timely manner.
January 17, 2026
5
Dr Elam was very thorough in her questioning of me and very thorough in her explanations to me. I felt very confident with her and this was my first visit. I will go back to her again if ever needed and would definitely recommend her to family and friends. I have sent her contact information to two doctors in my area so that they will have her information for referrals.
January 12, 2026
5
Very good
January 9, 2026
5
Arrived 10 minutes before scheduled appointment time to sign in. Sat in lobby for 45 minutes before checking back with desk, and they never signed me in. Too distracted on electronic devices and not paying attention
November 30, 2025
5
Dr Elam is thoughtful, thorough and very compassionate.
November 22, 2025
5
Love Dr. Elam so much! And Cassandra is awesome. The front staff are the best. And the nurses are top notch!
November 14, 2025
5
This provider, Dr Elam was exceptional
October 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is wonderful!
October 4, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is very professional with compassion. She is a great Rheumatologist and I highly recommend her.
September 13, 2025
5
I really appreciate the practice and their kindness and professionalism. Dr Elam goes above and beyond to answer my questions and makes sure I understand the plan of action going forward.
August 29, 2025
5
The Only difficult thing was at the lab. They had to draw 5 vials of blood. Before they started, I told them that I am not "good with needles"...I don't like blood draws. The woman drawing my blood was a 'novice', being watched over by a second nurse. I wish She had drawn my blood! The novice hurt, left quite a bruise, and by the 5th vial, she couldn't get any blood out & painfully stroked my arm/the vein. It was Not a good experience. I totally understand that people have to learn by doing, but Not on people like me, that are Not Good w/Needles!
August 29, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is terrific and although I don't recall the physician that initially took my history, she was very thorough and professional.
August 2, 2025
5
Dr Elam is very knowledgeable about my condition and complications. She has discussed various options for treatment and medications. She has acknowledged my concerns and addressed any questions l have had. She has even telephoned me at home following a surgery to inquire about pathology report.
July 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam and her staff are wonderful. I would recommend her highly. She is so attentive and caring and you really feel like you are in good hands.
January 25, 2026
5
Dr. Elam is the very best and a Barry caring doctor makes you feel very special and truly concerned about your health
January 23, 2026
5
Entire experience excellent. Only complaint was finding parking.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr Elam is one of the most helpful, attentive doctor I have ever dealt with. She answers messages and handles paperwork in a timely manner.
January 17, 2026
5
Dr Elam was very thorough in her questioning of me and very thorough in her explanations to me. I felt very confident with her and this was my first visit. I will go back to her again if ever needed and would definitely recommend her to family and friends. I have sent her contact information to two doctors in my area so that they will have her information for referrals.
January 12, 2026
5
Very good
January 9, 2026
5
Arrived 10 minutes before scheduled appointment time to sign in. Sat in lobby for 45 minutes before checking back with desk, and they never signed me in. Too distracted on electronic devices and not paying attention
November 30, 2025
5
Dr Elam is thoughtful, thorough and very compassionate.
November 22, 2025
5
Love Dr. Elam so much! And Cassandra is awesome. The front staff are the best. And the nurses are top notch!
November 14, 2025
5
This provider, Dr Elam was exceptional
October 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is wonderful!
October 4, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is very professional with compassion. She is a great Rheumatologist and I highly recommend her.
September 13, 2025
5
I really appreciate the practice and their kindness and professionalism. Dr Elam goes above and beyond to answer my questions and makes sure I understand the plan of action going forward.
August 29, 2025
5
The Only difficult thing was at the lab. They had to draw 5 vials of blood. Before they started, I told them that I am not "good with needles"...I don't like blood draws. The woman drawing my blood was a 'novice', being watched over by a second nurse. I wish She had drawn my blood! The novice hurt, left quite a bruise, and by the 5th vial, she couldn't get any blood out & painfully stroked my arm/the vein. It was Not a good experience. I totally understand that people have to learn by doing, but Not on people like me, that are Not Good w/Needles!
August 29, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is terrific and although I don't recall the physician that initially took my history, she was very thorough and professional.
August 2, 2025
5
Dr Elam is very knowledgeable about my condition and complications. She has discussed various options for treatment and medications. She has acknowledged my concerns and addressed any questions l have had. She has even telephoned me at home following a surgery to inquire about pathology report.
July 24, 2025
5
Dr Elam is very knowledgeable about my condition and complications. She has discussed various options for treatment and medications. She has acknowledged my concerns and addressed any questions l have had. She has even telephoned me at home following a surgery to inquire about pathology report.
July 24, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is terrific and although I don't recall the physician that initially took my history, she was very thorough and professional.
August 2, 2025
5
The Only difficult thing was at the lab. They had to draw 5 vials of blood. Before they started, I told them that I am not "good with needles"...I don't like blood draws. The woman drawing my blood was a 'novice', being watched over by a second nurse. I wish She had drawn my blood! The novice hurt, left quite a bruise, and by the 5th vial, she couldn't get any blood out & painfully stroked my arm/the vein. It was Not a good experience. I totally understand that people have to learn by doing, but Not on people like me, that are Not Good w/Needles!
August 29, 2025
5
I really appreciate the practice and their kindness and professionalism. Dr Elam goes above and beyond to answer my questions and makes sure I understand the plan of action going forward.
August 29, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is very professional with compassion. She is a great Rheumatologist and I highly recommend her.
September 13, 2025
5
Dr. Elam is wonderful!
October 4, 2025
5
This provider, Dr Elam was exceptional
October 24, 2025
5
Love Dr. Elam so much! And Cassandra is awesome. The front staff are the best. And the nurses are top notch!
November 14, 2025
5
Dr Elam is thoughtful, thorough and very compassionate.
November 22, 2025
5
Arrived 10 minutes before scheduled appointment time to sign in. Sat in lobby for 45 minutes before checking back with desk, and they never signed me in. Too distracted on electronic devices and not paying attention
November 30, 2025
5
Very good
January 9, 2026
5
Dr Elam was very thorough in her questioning of me and very thorough in her explanations to me. I felt very confident with her and this was my first visit. I will go back to her again if ever needed and would definitely recommend her to family and friends. I have sent her contact information to two doctors in my area so that they will have her information for referrals.
January 12, 2026
5
Dr Elam is one of the most helpful, attentive doctor I have ever dealt with. She answers messages and handles paperwork in a timely manner.
January 17, 2026
5
Entire experience excellent. Only complaint was finding parking.
January 23, 2026
5
Dr. Elam is the very best and a Barry caring doctor makes you feel very special and truly concerned about your health
January 23, 2026
5
Dr. Elam and her staff are wonderful. I would recommend her highly. She is so attentive and caring and you really feel like you are in good hands.
January 25, 2026
Rachel Elam, MD
Rheumatologist affiliated with Wellstar since 2021
