Planned Parenthood

As a rheumatologist, Jessica T. Thueringer, MD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, scleroderma, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, gout, and pseudogout.

As a rheumatologist, Sharon L. Frattalone, DO, has expertise in a wide variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and vasculitis, among others. Rheumatology is a complicated field that requires communication and trust between the doctor and patient, as well as collaboration with other medical specialties. Keeping up to date with medical literature is a priority to ensure Dr. Frattalone is providing the best possible care. Building relationships with her patients and learning about their diseases is important to her. Understanding how symptoms impact daily life is an essential part of a comprehensive treatment plan for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Over the past two decades since starting his practice, advances in our understanding of rheumatic diseases have evolved greatly. These include not only the discovery of new diseases, uncovering new insights into old diseases, but also progress in treatments options as well. Diseases once thought to be untreatable and/or life threatening are now controlled with the use of powerful biologics and immunomodulating agents allowing patients to live longer and with improved quality of life. However, with such an ever-expanding knowledge base comes the challenges of increasing patient management complexities. These may include issues such as side effects of new medications, appropriateness of newer diagnostic modalities, and or navigating through the maze of health care coverages for the different medications which are often quite expensive. These are all difficult and potentially frightening for a patient who is diagnosed with a chronic rheumatologic disease, especially when facing unexpected events like the Covid-19 pandemic while on immunosuppressive medications. The prognosis and outcome often then depend on the trust and cooperation between the patient and the physician. Dr. Wu strives to provide the best care that he can by being thorough, paying attention to details, practicing evidence-based medicine, and staying up to date.