The Rheumatology Division at The Floating Hospital
provides comprehensive services for the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults with arthritis and related inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Expertise in Caring for Children with Rheumatic Disease
Children are often referred to a Pediatric Rheumatologist by their doctor because of diverse and sometimes puzzling symptoms. Each year, our physicians see over 1,000 patients that have had persistent or frequent fevers, unusual rashes, joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, muscle weakness, and other musculoskeletal problems. We are also asked to see patients for evaluation and management of Lyme arthritis, chronic unexplained musculoskeletal pain, abnormal laboratory tests such as positive antinuclear antibodies, and an array of complex medical conditions.
Additional information on the range of disorders we care for...
Prompt Evaluation & Family-Centered Care
Simply put, every member of our team understands that children with rheumatic diseases benefit from timely evaluation and management. Each child referred to our division is seen by a pediatrician with full Board subspecialty training in Pediatric Rheumatology. Other members of our multidisciplinary team include a clinical nurse specialist, an occupational therapist, and a social worker. For each patient, a comprehensive plan of care is formulated in collaboration with you, your family pediatrician or referring physician, and your child's school, according to his or her individual needs and medical condition.
We work closely with our other subspecialty colleagues at The Floating, and can offer prompt consultations in all of the relevant care subspecialties.
A Pediatric Rheumatologist is always on call for emergency consultations. He or she can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the primary physician, the emergency physician, the patient or the patient’s caregivers. Inpatient facilities, including intensive care, are of course available for the expert management of seriously ill children.
Training and Community Involvement
We have recently opened a satellite clinic in Chelmsford, with outreach in other communities planned.
With a nationwide shortage of specialists in Pediatric Rheumatology, our Division is proud of our continuing active role in training medical students, pediatric residents, and pediatric and adult rheumatology fellows. Since 1995, the Division has trained more than 15 Pediatric Rheumatology fellows in its ACGME-certified training program.
For more information or appointments, call 617-636-7285.