In July 1972 my father, Dr. Ronald Emkey, moved here after completing a fellowship in rheumatology and metabolic bone disease at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He wanted to move his young and growing family back to Pennsylvania, and decided to open the first rheumatology practice in the entire region. He has grown his practice here in Berks County ever since that time. In addition to seeing patients in his practice, he served chief of rheumatology at the Reading Hospital for several decades, and was very active in clinical research. He has conducted countless trials and published over a hundred articles, including groundbreaking research on every medication used to treat osteoporosis, as well as pivotal trials that have advanced the care of rheumatoid arthritis for patients worldwide.
After completing my own medical training in internal medicine and rheumatology in Boston through Harvard Medical School, I decided to move back home to Berks County and join my father in practice. I have had the honor of working alongside him for over 14 years now. Together, we have expanded the practice and evolved to keep up with all of the latest advancements in the field. In addition, we are still participating in clinical research trials, and have even been able to publish articles in the medical literature as co-authors. I often say that I have learned more from working with my father than I did at any point in my medical training, and for that I am truly lucky.
Along with the wonderful addition of Valerie Galante, CRNP, my father and I have continued to work hard with one goal in mind, to provide compassionate world-class care of rheumatic and metabolic bone diseases for the patients of Berks County. This was the vision of Dr. Ronald Emkey in 1972 when starting Emkey Arthritis and Osteoporosis Clinic, and is still our focus over 50 years later.
Meet Our Clinicians
Our providers, Doctors Gregory and Ronald Emkey and our Nurse Practitioner, Val, are committed to providing personalized care for each patient. With a deep understanding of Rheumatic Diseases and Osteoporosis, our clinicians are here to guide you on your journey to better health and quality of life.
Dr. Greg Emkey is an educated and experienced rheumatologist who is committed to helping patients with all types of arthritis and rheumatic conditions achieve a greater quality of life.
He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Swarthmore College and his MD degree from Penn State University College of Medicine. At Penn State, he was given the AOA Honor distinction in 2005. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, where he received several teaching awards.
Dr. Greg has dedicated a significant portion of his early career to researching and understanding rheumatoid arthritis. As part of his fellowship training in rheumatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, he investigated potential biomarkers in the serum and joint fluid in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, hoping to be able to better predict the course of the disease and response to therapy.
He also spent several years at MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital conducting research on ways in which mechanical forces can affect cartilage, potentially leading to osteoarthritis. Additionally, Dr. Greg worked with Dr. Allen Steere to study the arthritis associated with Lyme disease. His work has been published in major medical journals and presented at the national meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.
Since joining the practice in 2010, Dr. Greg has shifted his primary focus from research to directly caring for his patients. He still maintains his academic interests, and has recently written several case reports, review articles, and textbook chapters on areas such as calcium metabolism, drug and hormone effects on vitamin D metabolism, and secondary causes of osteoporosis. He frequently teaches and lectures on these topics and enjoys having medical students and residents shadow him as a way to learn.
Dr. Greg is the Medical Director of the PA Regional Center for Arthritis and Osteoporosis Research, where he is the principal investigator who oversees many clinical drug trials on new and novel treatments for many rheumatic conditions. In his free time, he enjoys all types of exercise, spending time with his family and his dog.
Dr. Ronald Emkey
Dr. Ronald Emkey is deeply invested in the research and understanding of rheumatology and applies this knowledge toward providing patients with appropriate care to effectively treat their condition.
While in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command, during the Vietnam conflict, Dr. Emkey took a keen interest in musculoskeletal problems and was stimulated by how much he could help patients with appropriate care. The gratitude of these patients provided a sense of satisfaction and comfort that inspired Dr. Emkey to dedicate his career to medicine.
He is a graduate of Dickinson College, Hahnemann Medical College where he completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Hahnemann and Rheumatology service with Paulding Phelps at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Emkey also completed a fellowship in Arthritis and Metabolic Bone disease at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Emkey founded Emkey Arthritis & Osteoporosis Clinic in 1972. In addition to treating patients, the clinic also serves as the location for the Pennsylvania Regional Center for Arthritis & Osteoporosis Research, which allows the patients the opportunity to be exposed to new and innovative medications. The center’s research in arthritis and bone diseases has resulted in more than 135 abstracts, manuscripts and text book chapters which have been published by leading publications and presented to medical schools and at national/international symposia.
Dr. Emkey has served as chairman of the rheumatology section at RHMC for 28 years, while also serving on various advisory boards that oversee the development of new medications. He developed the Arthritis Clinic at RHMC which is still functioning for the underserved population.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Emkey spends most of his time with his family. He also enjoys participating in sports activities, while pursuing his academic interests. He relishes his time reading scientific journals and communicating with colleagues around the world on new developments in the bone field. His goal is to one day write a book about his vast experiences in medicine.
Valerie Galante, NP
Valerie Galante is a professionally trained and experienced Nurse Practitioner who specializes in gerontology, the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging.
Valerie began her career in nursing at the University of Pittsburgh were she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2008. Upon graduation, she worked as a staff nurse in heart failure/heart transplant at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia for eight years. During her time at Hahnemann University Hospital, Valerie gained first-hand experience and insight that advanced her nursing skills and also inspired her to continue her nursing education.
In 2016, Valerie graduated from Villanova University, earning her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). She is board certified by American Association of Nurse Practitioners and a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honors Nursing Society.
In April 2017, Valerie joined the Emkey team where she collaborates with the practice’s physicians to treat patients with the highest quality of care. Valerie sees a daily schedule of patients as either follow-ups or new patients. She is also responsible for providing patient injections, as required for their course of care.
Through her friendly and caring approach toward patients, it is evident that Valerie is passionate about science and is fulfilled by the ability to care for others. In her free time, Valerie enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Office Phone 610-374-8133
1200 Broadcasting Road, Suite 200 Wyomissing, PA 19610
We’re welcoming new patients and can’t wait to meet you.
