Erlanger Neurology was presented with a $75,000 check from the ALS Association on Feb. 20.
Officials said, "ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The ALS Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fight against ALS. The Association provides research, care services, public education and public policy.
"Erlanger is one of only five ALS clinics in the state and the only multi-disciplinary location in the region.
The multi-disciplinary approach brings together a team of healthcare professionals specially trained to address the needs of people living with ALS, allowing them to receive care from each discipline during a single visit. Erlanger’s care team includes the region’s only board-certified neuromuscular physicians, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a respiratory therapist, a speech language pathologist, a clinical dietician, a neuropsychologist, a social worker, a nurse and an ALS Association chapter liaison."
“Our ALS Clinic team is honored to accept the grant from the ALS Association. This funding helps to support our multi-disciplinary ALS clinic which includes several therapists and other professionals who specialize in treating ALS patients. This disease significantly affects the lives of our patients, including their muscle strength, speech, swallowing, and breathing,” said ALS Clinic at Erlanger Director, Dr. Chelsea Shugars, “Our center provides specialized coordinated care to address all physical and psychosocial aspects of this disease. Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art medical care and enhance the quality of life to individuals and their families living with ALS. This grant will help us obtain necessary medical equipment and adaptive technology, as well as expand access to newly FDA-approved treatments for ALS for our patients. We also hope to eventually bring ALS clinical trials to our region.”
The ALS Clinic at Erlanger meets on the third Tuesday of each month. In order to establish care in the ALS Clinic at Erlanger, physician referral is required.
To learn more about the ALS Clinic at Erlanger, visit erlanger.org/ALSClinic.