MEET OUR TEAM: Practice Manager, Renece Holland

It only seems appropriate to introduce Renece Holland on her one-year anniversary as Practice Manager for Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis & Infusion Center.

Renece has been in some level of customer service all her life – first, in Atlanta, and then for a digital imaging company here in Panama City. It was at that local business where she first became acquainted with Dr. Crayton.

“We became business associates and when I decided to make a change in my career, it just so happened that he needed a practice manager right at the same time,” said Ms. Holland.  And, her career wasn’t the only thing that needed adjustments. “This has been a year of great change within the practice, but where we are now makes all the blood, sweat, and tears all worthwhile. Now, we have a great team that works extremely well together in the best interest of the patients, practice, and Dr. Crayton. Everyone ‘has each other’s back’.”  This fact becomes quite obvious when observing their group dynamics.

Individually, Renece is a person of faith, which is displayed in how she walks her walk:

“For the past six years, I’ve been a caregiver to my mother and am a devoted wife to my wonderful husband. Plus, I’m a loyal friend who loves to laugh,” she said.

Renece’s philosophy regarding her leadership role within the practice is simple, yet profound:  “I want everything to run smoothly and for all the patients to be happy as well as pain free,” she said. “However, medicine is changing due to all the federal government’s new policies, so it becomes a challenge to balance all the regulations, while at the same time taking the best care of the patient. My ‘end game’ every day is to make certain that we have provided the most exemplary customer service possible.”

This life-long focus on others is what makes Renece Holland all the more valuable as a team member on Dr. Crayton’s staff. “If patients ever have issues, I’d like them to know they have a compassionate advocate working on their behalf,” she said.

Because, like Dr. Crayton, Renece also understands that pain is not normal.  “We stand ready to help in any way possible.” That sentiment isn’t just a slogan … it’s a promise.

Women's Symposium

Don’t miss The Arthritis & Infusion Center’s booth at The Women’s Symposium, Friday, June 14th, at Florida State University Panama City’s Holley Academic Center from 7:30-3:00 PM. Click here to find out more about this event. 

The Arthritis & Infusion Center Announces Association with Darr McKeown, M.D., Radiologist

Dr. Hulon Crayton, Medical Director and owner of The Arthritis & Infusion Center, is very

pleased to announce the association with Darr McKeown, MD, Radiologist.

“I chose to work with Dr. McKeown because he is highly technical, thorough, and in my opinion is, hands down, the best in his field in the Southeast United States,” said Dr. Crayton. “I know if he gives me his professional opinion on a diagnosis, it is official.”

Darr McKeown, M.D. was raised in the Atlanta area. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Oglethorpe University and received his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his residency at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah and returned to Atlanta to begin private practice in 1986. He is Board Certified and licensed to practice in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Dr. McKeown often lectures on the differences between X-ray and MRI.

Drs. Crayton and McKeown have been friends, and professional colleagues, since 1999.  The following Q&A with Dr. McKeown explains the significance of this new partnering of services:

Why are your services so critical to the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other connective-tissue disorders?

“Dr. Crayton bases his diagnosis and treatment plans on the discoveries I make with certain abnormalities found in MRI or ultrasound exams. There are new and improved treatments for arthritis all the time, and Dr. Crayton stays current on these options; however, without a specific diagnosis, he doesn’t know if the condition is a food allergy, sprain, or a true arthritis,” said Dr. McKeown. “If my diagnosis is arthritis, this condition will require strong medications that can be effective in slowing, or curing, some types of this disease.  However, without knowing which arthritis you are dealing with, it’s like taking your car to the mechanic without anything being checked under the hood to find out what is wrong.”

With current technology, it is no longer necessary for a radiologist to be in the immediate area to read X-rays or MRIs. How is this information transmitted between you and Dr. Crayton?

“With our advanced technology, we can push images across the street or around the world.  This digital equipment allows doctors to partner with specialists who don’t have to be geographically situated nearby,” explained Dr. McKeown. “In fact, many doctors in Northwest Florida use my services because my many years of experience allow me to know exactly what they need, and I have a reputation for very detailed analysis of the exams.  I focus on the precise diagnosis and tell the physician what he wants to know, narrowing all the options to help them make an educated decision on treatment.”

Dr. Crayton uses both MRIs as well as musculoskeletal ultrasounds. What are the advantages of ultrasounds?

 

The important things for the lay person to remember are that ultrasounds are:

1) Cost effective

2) Significantly cheaper than an MRI or CAT scan

3) Quick, easy, and totally painless

“Radiologists are at the mercy of the expertise of the ultrasound tech, but Dr. Crayton’s technologist is highly credentialed, so I know the patients are getting a thorough reading,” said Dr. McKeown. “Plus, there is no heat, pressure, or radiation with ultrasounds. MRIs do not use radiation either, but this option is not very comfortable, is very expensive, not to mention time consuming; however, sometimes, it is the physician’s only option due to herniations or tears of tendons, etc. Ultrasounds, on the other hand, can be performed right in the office, to monitor the progress of treatment, and without any waiting times.”

Regardless of the choice in technology – MRIs or Ultrasounds – the expertise offered by Drs. Crayton and McKeown provide patients with confidence in knowing the exam is going to be done well.  Dr. Crayton has built a team of experts within his practice to ensure exemplary care combined with compassion.  Remember:  “Pain is not normal.  We can help.”

Fibromyalgia is REAL! Four ways to manage this disease

Within the medical field, not all physicians believe in the condition referred to as Fibromyalgia, but at The Arthritis & Infusion Center, when a patient tells Dr. Hulon Crayton that they hurt, he believes them! Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to diagnose Fibromyalgia, because there are no lab tests or x-rays that can determine this insipid disease. Therefore, Dr. Crayton does a thorough history of the patient in combination with a good physical. After reviewing the data, he listens to what the patient has to say about their symptoms and then asks them the right questions to finalize the most accurate assessment.

What IS Fibromyalgia? According to many medical experts, Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and body stiffness, which may be combined with feeling tired all the time. Another interesting fact is that this condition is most common in women under the age of 50. Dr. Crayton will examine your joints and muscles trying to determine tender points that are linked with this health condition. (It is not unusual for a patient to have between 11 and 18 tender areas within their body.) 

Symptoms include:

• A burning, or throbbing pain, in many parts of the body, which can vary during the day 
• Stiffness, or aching, all over the body
• Constant fatigue, even after a good night’s sleep, with a lack of energy 
• Tension or migraine headaches 
• Bowel issues

How can you manage this disease? According to The Arthritis Foundation,

1. Take tests to check your iron levels, vitamin D deficiency, and thyroid problems.

2. Follow your doctor’s orders! Depending on the test results, Dr. Crayton may suggest getting more exercise or starting certain supplements. What is most important is to follow the recommended course of action, but communicate with Dr. Crayton if the symptoms worsen or if you have a reaction to any part of the treatment.

3. Dr. Crayton often recommends that patients take over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort. However, before he prescribes any medications, he needs to know ALL

medications you are currently taking to ensure there are no drug interactions.

4. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can go on indefinitely, or they may disappear for months and then recur.

While the symptoms of Fibromyalgia may never totally go away, we try to work on the triggers within the patient’s environment to relieve some of their anxiety and pain. If you feel you may be a candidate for a consult regarding this “stealth disease”, we’d like to encourage you to call our office so that Fibromyalgia won’t be able to steal any more of your life. Remember what Dr. Crayton tells all his patients: “Pain is not normal. Let us help.”

Meet our Team of Office Assistants

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we understand that patients expect a good experience in all areas of their visit to Dr. Hulon Crayton’s practice. To ensure that our clinical and administrative tasks are completed with accuracy and exemplary service, we’ve put together a team of outstanding Office Assistants. These individuals make it their daily mission to support our other team members in assuring that our medical practice runs efficiently and effectively.

 The Arthritis &  Infusion Center Office Assistants

(L-R:  Megan Gibbs, Carla Lancaster, Corinna Crayton, and Crystal Luterman)

Megan Gibbs’ major responsibility is Insurance Verification and Financial Assistance, when needed, for Infusion patients.

Carla Lancaster’s major responsibilities are answering phones, scheduling new and follow-up patients for appointments, as well as scheduling patients Dr. Crayton refers to outside specialists.

Corinna Crayton provides part-time backup in several areas of the medical practice.

Crystal Luterman is the smiling face patients see when they first enter the practice. As receptionist, Crystal greets and gets patients checked in, answers the phone, and schedules appointments as backup to Carla Lancaster.

Although everyone has their individual, assigned tasks, providing excellent customer service is everyone’s foremost priority! 

Dr. Crayton, the area’s most tenured Rheumatologist, reminds his patients that “Pain is not normal. We can help!” No referral is necessary to see Dr. Crayton, but be certain to check with your insurance provider prior to contacting the office to make sure of your coverage.  Or, ask your Primary Care physician to refer you to our medical practice.
 

Spread the Warmth END 2013

The Spread the Warmth Initiative ended on March 31^st, but not before we received a large shipment of blankets that were so very special, they were wrapped in red ribbons!

Dr. Hulon Crayton and the staff at The Arthritis & Infusion Center decided that the Children’s Home Society of Florida would be our recipients this past winter season.

“We never seem to have enough blankets to go around since our kids need to stay warm, may be in transient, and must take their belongings with them. We are so very grateful to Dr. Crayton for this donation,” said Ms. Felicia Robinson Cook, Director of Development for CHS.

And who could possibly have known that March would have been one of our coldest months in recent history? We would like to thank everyone who donated blankets to this worthwhile cause. We have already chosen our recipient for next year’s “Spread the Warmth” campaign, which will start in November of next year, so “stay tuned” as to how you can participate!

Communicating with your physician – THE most important component in your health care involves just two steps!

#1 – KNOW your physician:

Dr. Hulon Crayton has been practicing Rheumatology since 1990, which makes him the most experienced, longest tenured, Rheumatologist in this region. In addition, he is Board Certified in Rheumatology, has maintained his licenses in good standing with all state licensing boards, and also completed his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, which makes him specially qualified to run The Arthritis & Infusion Center.  (* See additional information below.)

#2 – Communicate honestly with the physician you trust!

Most important, Dr. Crayton maintains there is no such thing as “cookie-cutter medicine”:  “I have learned over the years that what works for one patient may not work for others. If some medicine, or treatment plan, doesn’t work; or, if there are side effects, patients need to TELL me!”

There are no lab tests or x-rays that can show pain. “And, I’m not Bill Clinton in that I can’t ‘feel your pain’,” said Dr. Crayton with his usual humor. “Some patients tend to try to be stoic and push through the pain. I’d rather they open up about what’s really going on in their body. Communication with a doctor is THE most important component of good health care.”

“I really care about how my patients are doing under my treatment plans, but all too often they don’t want to complain. I wish they’d drop their politeness! When I ask how a patient is doing, ‘feeling fine’ is a reflex answer. The face a patient displays to the world is one thing, but I need to know what’s really going on, physically and emotionally, to provide the utmost in medical care.”

Teamwork is very important for doctor-to-patient and doctor-to-doctor relationships, and Dr. Crayton has a proven reputation of really listening to his patients in order to help them, and their families, cope with the changes rheumatic diseases may cause in their lives.

Some rheumatic diseases are very serious and can be hard to diagnose and treat, which is why it is very important to choose a rheumatologist who has the most experience in the region for treating rheumatic disease … and that person is Dr. Hulon Crayton! No referral is necessary. Learn more about Dr. Crayton at drcrayton.net.

·        Additional footnote information about Dr. Crayton:

What is a Rheumatologist?

A Rheumatologist is an internist who received further training in the diagnosis/detection and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. Also called “rheumatic” diseases, these conditions affect the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatologists treat arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain, and osteoporosis. There are more than 100 rheumatic conditions, to include (but not limited to): Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and tendinitis.

Why Choose Dr. Crayton?

In addition to his four (4) years of medical school, three (3) years of residency, and (2) years of fellowship training, Dr. Crayton has been practicing his specialty for almost a quarter of a century!  During that time, Dr. Crayton has compiled extensive training, and experience, in the successful treatment of his patients. Dr. Crayton has a commitment to life-long learning and frequently completes appropriate continuing-education courses.

 

Dr. Crayton is a much sought-after consultant who advises other doctors about a particular diagnosis and treatment plan. In other cases, Dr. Crayton acts as a manager of infusions needed by the patients of other physicians.