Parris and Associates​ Provides Full-Service Rheumatology Care

This Patch article is sponsored by Parris And Associates Rheumatology.

Parris and Associates is a rheumatology medical office with several practitioners who focus on the care and treatment of the rheumatic disease spectrum. The full-service practice includes an on-site infusion center, laboratory services, ultrasound guided procedures and clinical drug studies.

Glenn Parris, MD, CEO and president of Parris and Associates, along with his highly trained and board-certified physician team, takes pride in the fact that patients have become accustomed to individualized, comprehensive care in a compassionate environment. Learn more about Parris and his progressive practice:

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

Dr. Parris: I've been in practice for over 25 years. Parris and Associates opened in 1999. Madhurika Samakur, DO, joined the practice in 2011 and has 13 years of experience.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you are in, and how did you get started?

Dr. Parris: My desire to become a rheumatologist started with my grandmother. When I was a little boy I told her I wanted to be a doctor. She said she hoped I would go into business to take care of her rheumatology. When I was in medical school I pursued gastroenterology. But I was always pulled back to my “calling.”

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission in five words to a stranger, what would those words be?

Dr. Parris: Dedicated to diagnosis, care and improvement. Or, providing full-service rheumatology care.

Patch: What is the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Dr. Parris: With the general increase in baby boomers, we find a rising need for medical services treating arthritis. We are also experiencing a nationwide shortage of rheumatologists. In Gwinnett County, where we practice, the average age of rheumatologists is 57. Our practice has been fortunate in our recruitment of younger practitioners.

More importantly, this shortage of practitioners has increased the number of patients per physician. In a 2015 study, The American College of Rheumatology estimated an average of 41,657 adults per adult rheumatologist in the U.S. The number is much higher for the Southeast at 60,087. Now if we couple this shortage with the rising cost of drugs — some drugs for lupus and RA patients can exceed $1,000 a month — we are challenged with higher workloads and often the need to work as advocates in trying to find methods to fund drugs, drug co-pays, etc.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Dr. Parris: Seeing a patient learn how to manage their chronic disease and lead a productive and happy life is the key to job satisfaction. Our practice treats the whole patient. For instance, if a rheumatology medication is causing the patient’s blood pressure to increase, we will work on finding one that treats the rheumatology while maintaining quality blood pressure. When all of the parts come together and seeing positive outcomes in our patients, that’s the “Golden Time of Day.”

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Dr. Parris: One comment we often hear from our patients is how we take our time during the examination and they do not feel rushed. The pressure for physicians to cover cost has almost led to a treadmill effect where patients are in and out with quick examinations. In our practice, we have been dedicated to listening to the patient as they express their medical needs and concerns.

At Parris and Associates rheumatology, our patients have become accustomed to individualized, comprehensive care in a compassionate environment. The physician team is highly trained and board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology. In addition, our care team is fluent in English and Spanish. We are a full service practice with an on-site infusion center, laboratory services, ultrasound guided procedures and clinical drug studies.

I have lived in the Gwinnett community for 25 years. A lot of the patients have become family to me. In many patients' cases, they knew they were sick, but didn’t know why or how they were sick. It has been fulfilling to now see the children and grandchildren of my original patients in my clinic. I have been providing care in an area that is a medical desert for a rheumatologist. My target areas are Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Tucker, Conyers, Lithonia and Stone Mountain.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given when it comes to success?

Dr. Parris: Treat every patient like it was your mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son and you will never go wrong.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that your extra excited about?

Dr. Parris: We are expanding to our third location in Lilburn to better serve Gwinnett County. This location will also have a weekend Infusion Clinic which will better meet the needs of individuals who work or require their families to provide transportation.

In general, I am very excited about the progression of care for rheumatology. We have gone from a theoretical classroom setting to real care in the clinic. The explosion of new drugs has had an incredible impact. We also see patients are more open to clinical trials and exploratory drugs. When available, it has been a great opportunity for patients to be on the cutting edge of medicine and have the cost of their treatment covered by the trials.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?

Dr. Parris: We are always out in the community at health fairs or walk/runs which promote awareness of rheumatology disease. Check out our Facebook page @parrisandassociates for information on upcoming events.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Our contact information is:

Parris and Associates

989 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, 30046

1120 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite 209, Suwanee, 30024

New location: 5271 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite A, Lilburn, 30047

Phone: 770-962-1616

Website: http://www.parrisandassociates.org/

Facebook: @parrisandassociates