Puzzle Solving for the Long Game

from UpClose theDoc 2023

Efficient and Responsive Turnkey Remodeling

Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates was started in 2005 by CEO, Dr. Edward Hernandez, and his wife Tara.

What began as a small, oneprovider practice has grown to multiple providers with multiple locations.

Dr. Hernandez’s practice might be bigger than it once was, but he’s still as personable as ever, believing in a family approach and developing long term relationships with patients. “We don’t see patients for just a season of their life,” explains Dr. Hernandez. “Most of what we treat has no cure, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, ankylosing spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, giant cell arteritis, Raynaud’s, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, and more. By managing the disease, we help patients live longer, more productive lives. We’re in it for the long game. We want patients to be able to hold their grandkids and take walks with their spouses in their golden years.”

Rheumatologists specialize in autoimmune diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. These diseases can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and potentially cause joint deformities. “It’s interesting to me,” says Dr. Hernandez, “because it’s puzzle solving. We look at all of the symptoms you are experiencing as we work toward a diagnosis. For example, if your symptoms have multi-system involvement, it might be one unifying systemic disorder. Once we have a diagnosis, we can target the mechanisms and manage the disease by balancing medication toxicity and overall well-being. This mix is different for different people. A 20-year-old has different goals versus a 75-year-old, and can handle different levels of risk and toxicity. As your doctor, we know your case and the complexity of it. As a single-specialty practice, we pivot with the

by Amy Sharp

changes in rheumatology. We do not split time; we are in tune with what affects our patients. Rheumatology keeps us on our toes, for sure!”

In an effort to make life convenient, Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates offers many services inhouse, including physical therapy, labs, infusion therapy, hydration therapy, ultrasound, telehealth, and clinical trials. “We understand that getting referred out for services can be difficult,” says Dr. Hernandez. “We try to do as much as we can right here.” The practice always welcomes new patients and accepts most insurances.

For 18 years and counting, Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates thanks this community for your trust in their care. “You’re the reason we’re still here!”

Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates