St. John's Regional Medical Center Introduces Innovative Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in California

St. John's Regional Medical Center's Pioneering Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

In a groundbreaking announcement, Dignity Health - St. John's Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) in Ventura, California, is setting a new standard in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by introducing an innovative, FDA-approved device for patients struggling with this challenging condition. With approximately 1.5 million individuals in the United States affected by RA, the introduction of the Neuroimmune Modulation device is not only a remarkable achievement for the hospital but also a significant milestone for patients across the state.

Hospital President Doug Kleam emphasized that this new treatment reflects the comprehensive approach to healthcare that St. John's embodies. "This milestone marks a significant advancement in treating rheumatoid arthritis in adults and highlights another example of whole-person care that St. John's provides to the Ventura community," he stated proudly.

The first procedure utilizing this cutting-edge technology was performed by Dr. Akinwunmi Oni-Orisan and the surgical team at SJRMC. Dr. Oni-Orisan pointed out the importance of such advancements in the management of autoimmune diseases, saying, "The implementation of neuroimmune modulation is an exciting treatment approach to chronic autoimmune conditions and reflects St. John's commitment to being at the forefront of advanced surgical technologies that better serve our communities."

The Neuroimmune Modulation device is uniquely designed to provide targeted stimulation to the left vagus nerve. This stimulation activates neural pathways intended to help regulate immune system activity, offering a tailored treatment option for adults experiencing moderately to severely active RA who have not found relief through traditional therapies, such as biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The clinical outcomes that supported the FDA's approval of this device have been documented in renowned medical journals, including Nature Medicine.

Rheumatologist Dr. Gita Fatemi shared her enthusiasm about this pioneering technology, stating, "I'm excited that we can offer our community pioneering technology with unparalleled safety. This approach can lead to significantly improved outcomes for one of the most life-altering autoimmune disorders - rheumatoid arthritis."

In collaboration with SetPoint Medical, the company responsible for developing this groundbreaking device, SJRMC aims to redefine RA management in California. CEO Murthy Simhambhatla remarked on the significance of this partnership: "As a Southern California-based company, this collaboration represents an important step in expanding access to a new therapeutic approach that targets the neural pathways controlling inflammation. Working with forward-thinking health systems like St. John's helps accelerate our mission to transform the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and bring meaningful innovation to patients and physicians."

For those suffering from moderate to severe RA, SJRMC offers an opportunity to explore this innovative treatment. Patients are encouraged to engage with their rheumatologists to discuss the advanced treatment possibilities that SJRMC now provides. More information can be found at dignityhealth.org/stjohnsregional.

St. John's Regional Medical Center, part of Dignity Health, has long been a trusted healthcare provider in Ventura County. Established over a century ago, it is recognized for its dedication to quality care, innovation, and community service. The hospital has continued to evolve to meet the needs of its patients, ensuring access to modern medical technologies and treatments.

As we find ourselves navigating the challenges posed by chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, the introduction of the Neuroimmune Modulation device stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment of healthcare leaders like St. John's to improve lives through medical innovation. With advancements like this, we move one step closer to alleviating the burden of autoimmune disorders for countless individuals and their families.