Dr. Boris Ratiner, founder and director of Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center, A DotCom Magazine Exclusive Interview

Boris Ratiner
Boris Ratiner

Dr. Boris Ratiner is the founder and director of Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center, Dr. Boris is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Dr. Boris provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center .
Dr. Boris Ratiner joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Dr. Boris join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.

Dr. Boris Ratiner is a Rheumatology specialist, and has been the founder and director of Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center (RTMC) for over 20 years. Under his leadership RTMC has become one of California’s best Rheumatology institutions. Dr. Ratiner has managed to achieve this due to his good academic and clinical background. He holds an MD from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He also completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology Fellowship at the prestigious University of San Francisco (UCSF). Years of clinical training equipped him with the necessary knowledge and experience to successfully run his own Rheumatology Center. Dr. Ratiner is also a founder of 4Medica, a medical informatics company, as well as TrueCath, a medical device company. Even with all these responsibilities, Dr. Ratiner is a frequent Rheumatology lecturer and currently a clinical instructor at both UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is also a former BOD member at the Arthritis Foundation and a past President of the Southern CA Rheumatism Society. Further, Dr. Ratiner continues to lecture at various hospitals and educational programs on topics related to Rheumatology. He sees in-patient consults at the Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center and West Hills Hospital. At RTMC, he works closely with patients suffering from Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Psoriatic Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Vasculitis, Myositis, Fibromyalgia and Gout. Dr. Ratiner has also been published in various medical books and journals, relating to emerging treatments in Rheumatology. He is also very interested in Regenerative medicine and has been a pioneer in PRP and STEM cell therapy for Rheumatologic and Orthopedic conditions. Dr. Ratiner is fluent in English and Russian.

Let’s start by telling us about your medical practice.

Our office is called Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center. Our services include Rheumatology and Orthopedic consultations, on-site physical therapy, x-rays, ultrasound, laboratory and infusion services, among many others. We started this facility in 1999 and I have transformed it into one of the best in Rheumatology practices in the west coast. Anyone with arthritis, osteoporosis, gout, Lupus, vasculitis, myositis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis or other orthopedic issues can call us at (818) 996 – 4077 or visit our premises at 18376 Clark Street Tarzana, CA 91356. We are located next to Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. We have an amazing team at the reception desk, and they will guide you on how to make an appointment with our doctors or physical therapists. Our goal is always to give our patients the best possible services and get them to live their full lives again.

Q: Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?

We strive to make our patients happy in many ways. First, by ensuring that they get quality medical care. The whole idea behind visiting a health facility is to feel better. We strive ensure that this happens with compassionate timely service, and it has endeared people to our office. We have many patients that we have known for over 20 years. Second, is by making sure that they are happy within our staff interactions. To achieve this, we have invested in high-quality customer service personnel. All our staff understand the patient comes first and they will do everything possible to ensure they get better. These two strategies have helped position us among the best Rheumatology groups in Southern California.

Q: Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition?

That would be customer service. We treat everyone that visits our premises with respect and good intentions. We have set up systems to ensure that any disputes that patients may have are resolved quickly. It is a strategy that has kept our brand image high in the medical community and keeps patients coming back over the last two decades. Going into the future, I want to double down on the quality of customer service, improve our office facility and increase our clinical offerings. We continually train our staff to equip them with the right skills in an ever-changing medical environment.

Q: And to finish this section, please tell us what is the one major key to your company’s success?

The key to our company’s success, as stated earlier, is excellent medical care and quality service. For the two decades that I have been running Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center, I have also made sure that we never compromise on diversity in both our clinical staff and patient base.

Q: For our readers are just starting or building a medical practice, what advice can you give young professionals just starting out with a new venture?

For those just starting out, I would advise them first to do a Proof-of-Concept and make sure that their idea works. Also pick a good location for their type of practice. I discovered early enough that a lot of entrepreneurs fail because they do not appreciate how complex running their own medical business has become. It is only after they have sunk in a lot of capital and time that they notice the mistakes. Find a successful mentor in the same or similar specialty and follow their advice. For those in professional services businesses like myself, I would advise that one first perfect their clinical skills before venturing out. It worked for me, and it can work for you. Last, but not least, prepare to work hard and occasionally fail.

Q: For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what one big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging

Tough times are a normal part of any business. Even trillion-dollar corporations like Amazon and Apple go through tough times. Just have systems in place to ensure that tough times will never bring down your business. The best way to do it is to always keep an eye on cash flow. Ensure that it is always in positive territory. If you are not making money you cannot pay your staff or yourself. Alternatively, make sure that you have quick access to financing if you ever need it.

Q: In today’s fast changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?

I have a huge network that cuts across the industry from academia to other private practice physicians. Through this network, I am always aware of what is going on in the industry and can predict industry changes early enough. I also read a lot. Being an instructor and an author on Rheumatology topics, I have to research the industry’s latest trends, newest medications and latest treatment protocols. This has given me an edge over most of my peers. For those who would like to emulate me, I would tell them to read as much as possible. In whatever industry you are in, make books, magazines, and journals your best friend, and you will never go wrong. Also cooperate with your colleagues, even if they are competitors, since team work always trumps going at it alone. Essentially, make sure that you are so passionate about what you do and be flexible.

Q: What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?

To put a smile on my patients’ faces.

Q: In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?

A great leader needs to be a good listener.

Q: In one sentence, describe how important your patients are to your business?

They are the sole reason we go to work every day and our success always start with them.

Q: In one sentence, describe a positive way that medical technology can make the world a better place?

Since I began in Rheumatology 25yrs ago, we have made unimaginable progress and it has created opportunities to successfully treat our patients that the last generation of Rheumatologists never thought possible.

Q: In one sentence, tell us how something positive to motivate our readers?

Dream big and you will achieve.

Q: In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?

I start most of my days with exercise and a hot shower.

Q: In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setback?

I use them as a learning opportunity and try not to repeat them.

Q: In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?

We are picky and only hire one out of ten people that we interview.

Q: In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?

I have many other interests that help relieve my stress and diversify my professional life.

Dr. Boris Ratiner, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center , nothing but the best.