Dr. Marilynn Goepfert Punaro, MD

When I was 9 years old I began showing symptoms of JRA. My local rheumatoid doctors tried to diagnose me but not all of my symptoms matched with JRA, so I was sent to Scottish Rite. I was a scared little girl who could not walk or bend her wrists, who had to be carried out of bed each morning and placed in a hot tub to loosen my joints, who thought she would never walk normally again. Dr. Punaro was the kindest, most thoughtful and dedicated professional I have ever dealt with. She took it upon herself to dedicate her research to diagnosing my inconsistent and confusing disorder. It was after a year that Dr. Punaro discovered I had a rare auto-inflammatory disorder that only 12 other children in the States were known to have had at that time. From age 10-13 I was on Anakinra (Kineret) until I was cured. Without Dr. Punero I would not be living the wonderful, active life that I am now at 22 years old. If you have the opportunity to be treated by her, know it is the best service… available.

Dr. Marilynn Punaro treated my son for JRA Systemic type when he was 2 and then again at 4 when he reflarred. He was first seen by another rheumatologist that just plainly was not that into his profession. I began a search for a better doctor and was immensely blessed to hear that Dr. Punaro was right here in Dallas and a guru of her field. This comment I can attest is the absolute truth. She knows what she is talking about. She is constantly in research for better treatments than what is currently available. Dr. Punaro does not limit herself to her own backyard, but pursues world wide findings. If you have the opportunity to be her patient, you will be a member of the golden club. After my son's second treatment, we used Anakinra and Methotrexate that go round, he has been in remission ever since and he is 16 now. When ever I read up on JRA and the current treatments, the difficulty in getting to remission, and the mortality rates, I always become teary eyed and my heart is full of… gratitude for the life saving care and treatments given to my son through Dr. Marilynn Punaro. His life and his quality of life are just like someone who never faced those obstacles he had at such a young age. I will never be able to say enough thanks, or show enough gratitude to come close to the gift Dr. Marilynn Punaro gave us by helping our son return to a healthy life.