Caitlin was only 3 years old when she first came to Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. She was experiencing mysterious symptoms and doctors were not able to pin point a diagnosis right away. The week following her admittance was filled with numerous tests and she was seen by a number of pediatric specialists at Miller Children’s. After she was seen by the rheumatologist, she was diagnosed with Systemic JIA - Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
Now, Caitlin is 11 and has a slew of regular blood tests, x-rays, rheumatology visits and physical and occupational treatments under her belt. She still has to manage her condition daily, and recently has had her left hip replaced which has eased some of the pain she was having in her joints.
Caitlin’s mother, Colleen, has been very happy with the care Caitlin has received during her time at Miller Children’s. “The nurses and doctors all treated Caitlin as if she were family,” stated Colleen. “I am very impressed by how well all the outpatient centers and clinics work with each other to coordinate everything that goes on with Caitlin and I am pleased with all the support the hospital has given to Caitlin over the years. “
“Caitlin has had a very difficult time controlling her arthritis. She has monthly doctor visits here at the hospital, as well as physical therapy as an outpatient to help control her arthritis,” says Andreas Reiff, MD. “Caitlin is a fighter, battling a very difficult disease while maintaining a good sense of humor and positive spirit.”
Today Caitlin is managing her condition thanks to the specialized pediatric care she received at Miller Children’s. She loves to dance, play softball, listen to her favorite band, the Jonas Brothers, and help out with the Arthritis Foundation in her free time. She hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps and attend UCLA for college and pursue a career in fashion or veterinary sciences.
Rheumatology Center
The Rheumatology Center at Miller Children’s Hospital offers a multi-disciplinary, family-centered approach to care for infants and children under 21 with rheumatic diseases, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis and dermatomyositis. A team of health care professionals work closely with other pediatric specialists to provide inpatient consultations to children who are hospitalized and offer comprehensive outpatient follow-up visits.
The rheumatology care team offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment that includes medication, physical and occupational therapy, education and medical management. The Rheumatology Center care team sees 1,000 patients every year and provides care to at least 200 children on an inpatient basis each year. The Rheumatology Center at Miller Children’s is also a part of an SLE research consortium.
Designated CCS Center
The Rheumatology Center at Miller Children’s is a California Children’s Services (CCS) approved Special Care Center (SCC). This means a specially designated multi-disciplinary care team is responsible for all care coordination and case management of a patient in this program. Patients typically qualify for the Rheumatology CCS Special Care Center by medical diagnosis, complexity of their disease and financial status.
Miller Children’s Stands Apart
- Four out of the country’s 150 practicing pediatric rheumatologists are at Miller Children’s.
- The Rheumatology Center participates in an SLE research program, to help find a cure for lupus.
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