North’s Rheumatology Team Provides Patients with Holistic Care for Autoimmune Diseases
At the North Memorial Health clinic in Blaine, a team of seven healthcare professionals are supporting patient through their journey battling autoimmune diseases with rheumatology care. While this specialty is often an illusive and complex field, our team works together to deliver multifaceted and holistic care that incorporates everything from medical-based treatments to lifestyle changes.
Get to know the world of rheumatology and our team or learn more on our rheumatology page.
Did you know?
- Rheumatology is the management of autoimmune diseases, which are inflammatory conditions that can cause pain and disability.
- Rheumatologists are skilled in diagnosing complex and often elusive conditions, caring for patients in a holistic way as conditions involve different organs affected by the immune system.
- This comprehensive approach also often requires lifestyle changes, medications to reach remission, injections and sometimes infusions to control inflammation.
- Many conditions in rheumatology are chronic and require long term management, making the rheumatology team an integral part of your family and care as they collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals including endocrinology, orthopedics, and internal medicine.
- Preventative care is paramount in rheumatology. The team emphasizes patient education and empowerment to achieve their best health, focusing on exercise and lifestyle modification to reduce flares-ups and complications associated with rheumatic disease.
Meet the team
Dr. Mayra Oberto-Medina, DO, FACR, CCF, RhMSUS – Lead Rheumatologist
What do you like about working in rheumatology?
- We have an amazing cohesive and supportive team. We closely partner with our patients and have the honor of watching them improve with tangible measures by providing options with several treatment modalities so they’re able to achieve remission.
What do you think makes the difference for patients with the care they receive at North?
- North provides the resources for our patients to achieve their best health. We have a great pharmacy team that helps patients with assistance navigating financing medications, and a wonderful benefits team that helps patients with coverage for infusion therapies.
How do you empower your patients to be active participants in their healthcare?
- I spend time educating and empowering my patients on how they can help manage their condition themselves if flares occur, and of course encourage them to reach out if new concerns arise. It’s helpful to educate patients on the role of exercise and physical therapy, as well as healthy lifestyles that work alongside pharmaceutical care.
Dr. Joan Gekonde, MD – Rheumatologist
What do you like about working in rheumatology?
- It’s amazing to witness the remarkable turnaround in prognosis of certain conditions as the field has come so far with the treatment options.
What do you think makes the difference for patients with the care they receive at North?
- From the moment the patient walks in they know our team has their back. Everyone works together for the greater whole – caring for our patients and helping to easing their burden in navigating healthcare.
How do you empower your patients to be active participants in their healthcare?
- When we both put on our thinking hats, we solve the puzzle together! I encourage my patients to take ownership of their treatment plans as we develop our longitudinal relationship and encourage them to stay as active as they’re capable because mobility is crucial to a balanced, healthy life.
Kira Tran, DNP, APRN, CNP – Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner
What do you like about working in rheumatology?
- I enjoy providing care to patients with chronic and complex conditions. We have an amazing rheumatology clinical team that works cohesively and cares about our patient’s well-being.
What do you think makes the difference for patients with the care they receive at North?
- Our team strives to connect with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their needs. Our infusion clinic allows us to monitor our patients’ condition closely, and our amazing specialty pharmacists and the benefit teams assist patients in qualifying for specialized medications including infusion.
How do you empower your patients to be active participants in their healthcare?
- By providing clear communication about diagnosis, treatment options, and risks and benefits. I also focus on creating a supportive environment by showing respect, encouraging questions, and addressing their concerns in a timely manner.
Susan Ferencik, RN – Specialty Infusion Nurse
As a Specialty Infusion RN, I take pride in getting to know to our patients, empower them, and become an active participant in their care. We want our patients to know they are important to us. And we are here to help.
Jaime Hinrichsen, BSN, RN – Rheumatology Nurse
North Memorial is dedicated to excellence in patient care and encourages patients to take an active role in their health. We are a close-knit team who work closely together to provide a top tier patient care experience, and always encourage patients to reach out with any questions or concerns, no matter how small.
Natasha Parks, CMA – Certified Medical Assistant
My team is one of a kind! We strive to really listen to our patients to give them the best care possible. I always try and keep a positive outlook on life in general and I intend to instill that value with each patient I encounter. Giving them motivation to keep going, staying strong, and smiling!
Kayla Schossow, CMA – Certified Medical Assistant
The quality of care each person receives goes above and beyond, and I have experienced that both as a patient and provided that as a team member. There’s a reason that so many people return to North time and time again and don’t switch systems both occupationally and as a patient.