Dr. Ekaterina Simakova was born and raised in Volgograd, Russia, in a family where medicine was more than a profession—it was a calling. As a fourth-generation physician and rheumatologist, she proudly continues a legacy of clinical excellence, scientific inquiry, and compassionate patient care.

Her passion for rheumatology was inspired by her grandfather, Alexander B. Zborovsky, MD, PhD (1929–2016), a distinguished rheumatologist who founded one of Russia's leading rheumatology institutes and played a pivotal role in establishing modern rheumatologic care throughout the country during the 1970s and 1980s. Growing up surrounded by academic medicine and witnessing his unwavering dedication to patients profoundly shaped Dr. Simakova's commitment to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Simakova graduated from Volgograd State Medical University before completing residency and fellowship training in rheumatology. She subsequently earned a PhD with a research focus on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an area that remains one of her greatest professional interests. She has authored numerous scientific publications and continues to stay at the forefront of advances in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

While pursuing her medical education in Russia, Dr. Simakova also dedicated herself to professional ballroom dancing. Throughout the late 1990s - early 2000s, she competed in ballroom dance competitions and taught students, developing the discipline, perseverance, and attention to detail that continue to influence her approach to medicine and patient care.

After relocating to the United States, Dr. Simakova completed her Internal Medicine residency at Danbury Hospital, a Yale-affiliated teaching program in Connecticut, followed by a Rheumatology fellowship at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York. During her fellowship, she trained under Dr. Ellen Ginsler, an internationally recognized authority in systemic lupus erythematosus, further strengthening her expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex autoimmune diseases.

From 2021 through 2026, Dr. Simakova practiced at Family Arthritis Center, where she worked alongside Dr. Howard Busch. This experience provided invaluable mentorship and helped shape her thoughtful, patient-centered approach to rheumatologic care, reinforcing the importance of treating each patient with both scientific precision and genuine compassion.

Today, Dr. Simakova is the founder of Legacy Rheumatology, where she is building a modern practice dedicated to excellence in rheumatologic care. Her philosophy combines evidence-based medicine with personalized treatment, emphasizing long-term partnerships with patients and a comprehensive approach to managing chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Her clinical interests include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, connective tissue diseases, Sjögren's syndrome, vasculitis, osteoporosis, gout, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Simakova is a proud mother of two boys. She enjoys practicing yoga and continues to pursue her lifelong passion for ballroom dancing. She believes that the discipline, resilience, and balance cultivated through both medicine and her personal pursuits are essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life. 

 Above all, Dr. Simakova believes every patient deserves to be heard, understood, and treated with expertise, compassion, and respect. Her goal is not only to control disease activity but also to help patients improve their quality of life and achieve their fullest potential through individualized, state-of-the-art rheumatologic care.