Stella
Polyarticular Juvenile Arthritis
Youth Honoree
 At age 15 Stella was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile arthritis. About a year ago she developed two trigger fingers, which caused her middle fingers to be stuck to her palm for months. She underwent hand surgery where she was intentionally awoken during the procedure to ensure she had regained mobility. While waiting to see a pediatric rheumatologist, walking became dreadful, she had a dramatic decrease in energy and there was a change in her personality. Once she met with her doctor and received an official diagnosis, she immediately started a medication regime. With medication, Stella is back to running around like a teenager with no limits! Stella states that walking and using her hands feels more like a privilege.
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For over a year, Daniel has been working as a nurse practitioner at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates at the Chandler and Queen Creek locations, alongside Dr. Amer Al-Khoudari, a previous Arthritis Foundation medical honoree. Daniel is passionate and motivated when it comes to identifying and treating the various types of arthritis conditions that affect his patients on a daily basis. He understands how debilitating arthritis can be and the negative impact it can have on an individual’s quality of life. This is why Daniel’s mission is to provide everyone with the opportunity to move freely without pain.
Dr. William Paterson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of common to complex shoulder disorders. He is committed to exploring nonsurgical and minimally invasive approaches in order to produce the best patient outcomes. Dr. Paterson earned his medical degree from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School in Chicago, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his residency at the world-renowned Campbell Clinic at the University of Tennessee, followed by an additional year of fellowship training in disorders of the shoulder under two of the world’s leading experts at Baylor College of Medicine. He is extremely well-regarded by patients for his orthopedic expertise, approachable style, and personalized care and treatment plans.