Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - CH - 55

-SOLVING
was like a guessing game on where the
pain was going to flare up. One day it
was in my hip, the next in my knee. I'd
been praying to find the right doctor
and the right medicine so I could manage the pain and continue to work, and
here she was a short walk away."
Four months later, Mcguire says simple tasks no longer feel Herculean.
Sessions gained Mcguire's confidence
as soon as she asked her to "gown up"
for a diagnostic exam, had a heart-toheart chat and prescribed a course of
treatment that included anti-inflammatory medication to keep nausea at bay
and help her sleep at night.
"I love her," Mcguire says. "She connects with her patients right away."

soft tissues and connective tissues in the
body to St. Catherine Hospital for the
benefit of our community."
A graduate of West Virginia School
of Osteopathic Medicine, Sessions
completed her residency at Northside
Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, and
her fellowship in rheumatology at Largo
Medical Center in Largo, Florida. While
in residency, Sessions was intrigued by
the challenge of helping patients with
diseases such as gout, systemic lupus,
polymyositis, psoriatic and rheumatoid
arthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, tendinitis and vasculitis achieve a better quality
of life.

A Path Home

"We are seeing an increase in autoimmune conditions across the country,"
Sessions explains. "These conditions can
be difficult to diagnose and treat. Having

Mcguire's path to remission is one that
tells Sessions she made the right decision to return to Northwest Indiana
to practice. "It's been very rewarding
to be able to help and serve people
I grew up around," says the Morton
High School and Indiana University
Northwest graduate.
"We are proud to offer a specialized
service line that can manage and treat
ongoing pain caused by autoimmune
disorders," says Leo Correa, CEO. "Our
board-certified rheumatologist brings
her education and experience in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other
chronic conditions affecting the joints,

A Rise in Autoimmune
Conditions

a rheumatologist on staff is significant
because these diseases are multisystemic.
Close access to other medical providers
and therapeutic and diagnostic resources
helps us work together as a team to put
the puzzle pieces in place to solve a case."
"We do a lot of problem-solving,"
Sessions adds. "It's a lot like being
a detective."
Rheumatologists can help primary
care physicians make a more accurate diagnosis and provide more
focused care. Any patient suffering
from unexplained or unremitting joint
symptoms-joint pain, dysfunction or
swelling-should be evaluated by a rheumatologist. People with non-specific
musculoskeletal complaints or "suggestive" blood tests may also be referred by
their primary care doctor (or orthopedic specialist) when he or she suspects
the patient suffers from a rheumatic
condition. ■

WEBSITE

Team Up Against Arthritis
If you suffer from unexplained or worsening joint pain, swelling or
dysfunction, talk to your primary care physician or orthopedic
specialist about a referral. For a physician on staff at the hospitals of
Community Healthcare System, visit COMHS.org and click on
"Find A Doctor."

FALL 2019

55
http://www.COMHS.org
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - CH

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