Prince Edward Island is honoring September as Arthritis Awareness Month and celebrating with the addition of a new rheumatologist.

Dr. Stephen Morais began caring for Island patients earlier this month at his Charlottetown office. 

“Dr. Morais is highly skilled and qualified and he will be a valuable addition to the health care team here in Prince Edward Island. One in five Islanders lives with arthritis and it is extremely important that Islanders have access to the best possible care and treatment for this chronic disease.” 

- Health and Wellness Minister James Aylward

Among many impressive academic milestones, Dr. Morais most recently completed his Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and a Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Centre in New Hampshire.

“There are many forms of arthritis, all of which can have a profound effect on quality of life and overall health,” said Dr. Morais. “I’m excited to be back home on PEI providing this service to patients and their health care providers.”

September is Arthritis Awareness Month across Canada and the Arthritis Society is encouraging everyone living with arthritis to raise awareness with the slogan, “Arthritis Won’t Stop Me.” More than 27,000 Islanders of all ages live with the devastating effects of the disease.

”The Arthritis Society believes patients need access to arthritis care where they live and we are thrilled that the provincial government  supported the addition of Dr. Morais to provide that care for Islanders with inflammatory arthritis,” says Jone Mitchell, executive director, Arthritis Society, Atlantic Region.

For more information on Arthritis Awareness Month visit the Arthritis Society (link is external).

Media contact:
Samantha Hughes
Senior Communications Officer
Health and Wellness
(902) 368-5610
shughes@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail)