Biography

Luigino Mateo Bernabela, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in rheumatology.

Dr. Bernabela earned his medical degree at the St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine in Curacao. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Saint Peter's University Hospital/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where he served as Chief Resident. He also completed a certificate program in clinical research at Drexel University College of Medicine. He then received advanced training in rheumatology through a fellowship at UT Southwestern.

Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Bernabela joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2018.

Dr. Bernabela’s research focus is on improving quality of care to patients with rheumatoid arthritis and with immune-related side effects from newer cancer treatments. He also has an interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, and he incorporates this technique in his clinical practice.

He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians, the American College of Rheumatology, the American Medical Association, and the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists.

He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Dutch.

Education & Training
  • Medical School - St Martinus University Faculty of Medicine, Curacao (2003-2009)
  • Residency - Saint Peter's University Hospital/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (2010-2013), Internal Medicine
  • Chief Resident - Saint Peter's University Hospital/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (2013-2014), Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2016-2018), Rheumatology
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American College of Physicians (2013), Member
  • USSONAR (2016), Member
  • American College of Rheumatology (2016), Member
Books & Publications