Background and Inspiration

Dr. Saad Tariq, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist at OrthoIllinois, a division of OrthoMidwest. Dr. Tariq’s dedication to medicine was inspired at an early age by his mother, a physician, whose compassionate care for her patients instilled in him a deep respect for the medical profession. Supported and encouraged by his family—including his physician siblings—Dr. Tariq developed a lifelong commitment to health care and wellness.

Education and Training

Dr. Tariq earned his medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical College in Pakistan. He pursued additional postgraduate training for two years before relocating to the United States, where he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey, affiliated with Seton Hall University.

During his residency, Dr. Tariq discovered a passion for rheumatology, a decision influenced both by his clinical experiences and his wife’s diagnosis with an autoimmune disease. He subsequently undertook a Rheumatology Fellowship at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, where he received advanced training in rheumatology, including musculoskeletal ultrasound, and served as Chief Rheumatology Fellow during his second year. Dr. Tariq furthered his expertise by obtaining certification in clinical densitometry from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry in 2019.

He has contributed to research in the field, including drug trials and published a review article on multicentric reticulohistiocytosis, a rare disease. Dr. Tariq has also been featured in media outlets such as  LiveStrong.com, offering expert advice on arthritis prevention. Read article.

Clinical Practice and Specializations

Dr. Tariq began his clinical career at Mercy Clinic Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, before joining OrthoIllinois. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and is certified in Rheumatology Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RhMSUS). His practice encompasses the diagnosis and management of a wide range of rheumatologic conditions in patients from age six through adulthood, including rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, Sjogren’s disease, connective tissue diseases, gout, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and various musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as tendinopathies and bursitis.

Academic Roles and Teaching

In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Tariq serves as an Assistant Professor and Rheumatology Course Director for medical students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford. His passion for teaching allows him to help advance the skills and knowledge of future medical providers.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Tariq believes that successful treatment results from carefully listening to patients, understanding laboratory results, and collaboratively developing treatment plans and lifestyle modifications that can alleviate or halt disease progression. He values thorough, ethical, and compassionate care for his patients.

Personal Interests

Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Tariq enjoys spending time with his family, reading, engaging in home and sporting activities with his wife and children, and traveling.