About ARDA
Rheumatology is the treatment of patients with arthritis and other similar conditions. Some common rheumatic problems include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, gout and lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus). There are over 100 other kinds of arthritis which we diagnose and treat. We also treat a number of illnesses where inflammation develops in body tissues other than the joints. In some rheumatic diseases the muscles, blood vessels, nerves and skin become inflamed and require specific treatment. You will have your own personal physician, who will see you at each office visit. In addition we are associated and function as a team. One of us is always available for your immediate needs if your personal physician is not available.
Special Care
In many cases caring for people with arthritis and associated diseases requires a long term commitment on the part of the doctor and the patient, lasting months or even years. You will have many questions. You should ask these and always expect the doctor to be a teacher as well as a healer. In addition you may have your own good ideas which may help you and others, so you should discuss these with the doctor. The relationship between you and your doctor requires that you both take responsibility for ensuring that your health is as good as it can possibly be.
Insurance
We are participating physicians in Pennsylvania Blue Shield, Medicare, Keystone HMO, Select Blue and Security Blue.
Hospital Affiliations
We are staff members in the Western Pennsylvania Allegheny University Health System, and are affliated with the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Allegheny Valley Hospital and Forbes Regional Hospital.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests, x-rays, bone densitometry and other studies are necessary in many cases to make a correct diagnosis and plan treatment. In some cases laboratory tests are done to detect medication side effects, so that a medicine can be stopped before it causes a serious problem.
Your doctor reviews all laboratory tests and calls you if there are abnormalities which you should know about. If they are normal, you will not be called. If you would like to know even if the tests are normal, please tell us and we will inform you.
Prescription Refills
In most cases prescriptions can be refilled by calling your pharmacist. If there is any question regarding the refill, your druggist will contact our office. If your medication is not working, or you believe you are experiencing a side effect, report this to your doctor as soon as possible.
Fees
Our fees are comparable to those of other physicians in the area. Since the billing process and the mailing of statements is a time consuming and expensive process, we request payment at the time service is rendered. We are participating physicians in Pennsylvania Blue Shield, Medicare, Keystone HMO, Select Blue and Security Blue. When fees impose a burden on you and your family, we will help by establishing a suitable payment program. When you have questions regarding the fees, do not hesitate to discuss these with the office personnel.
The Staff of Asclepius
The staff of Asclepios (Greek), or Asklepius (Roman), is a rough-hewn knotty tree limb with a single serpent encircling it. This is the correct or traditional symbol of medicine. In contrast, the Caduceus of Hermes, with twin snakes, possessed magical powers and is associated with alchemy and the occult. A major reason for the use of the Caduceus as a medical symbol was its official use as symbol for the Medical Department of the United States Army in 1902. Other organizations using this symbol are commercial, drug and pharmaceutical companies. Hermes (Mercury) was the god of commerce, invention, travel and theft, not medicine. The Caduceus implies temporality and senility, whereas the medical profession espouses renewal, vitality and health.
Asclepios was probably an ancient Greek physician deified as the god of medicine, whose single serpent staff symbolized renewal of youth as the serpent casts off its skin and thus renews itself. In mythology Asclepius is the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis. He was taught about medicine by the wise centaur Cheiron.
The children of Asclepios were Meditrina, Hygeia and Panacea who were symbols of medicine, hygiene and healing. Two of the sons of Asclepios appeared in Homer's Iliad as physicians in the Greek army.
Today the staff of Asclepius is the symbol of the American Medical association and many other medical organizations.
Shrines called Asklepions became very important in Greek society; patients believed that they could be cured by sleeping in them, and by offering gifts and sacrifices to the god. They would be treated by priest healers called the Asklepiade. A famous Asklepion was located at Pergamum, the birthplace of Galen, a physician second in importance only to Hippocrates of Cos.
Note that the Hippocratic Oath is sworn by Apollo the physician, by Aesculapius, Hygeia, and Panacea.