The ALS Association recently donated $75,000 to Erlanger Neurology, which will use the funds to support its multi-disciplinary ALS clinic.
ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It affects muscle strength, speech, swallowing and breathing.
"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," Dr. Chelsea Shugars, clinic director, said in a news release. "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."
The ALS clinic "provides specialized coordinated care to address all physical and psychosocial aspects of this disease," she said in the news release. "We also hope to eventually bring ALS clinical trials to our region."
Erlanger is one of only five ALS clinics in the state and the only multi-disciplinary location in the region, according to the release. 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 dietitian, a neuropsychologist, a social worker, a nurse and an ALS Association chapter liaison.
Ella McBryde