Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center Physiatry & Neuromuscular Center Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic has received designation as an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence (CTCE). It is the first certified center of its kind in the Inland Northwest. Previously, the closest certified centers were in Seattle and Portland.
“This designation goes to show that Providence is dedicated to providing outstanding care and services to people facing ALS,” said Dr. Greg Carter, Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center chief medical officer. “Through our partnerships with the Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience at Washington State University and Matt’s Place Foundation, we are able to provide a comprehensive support system so patients, families, and caregivers are better prepared to address the challenges associated with living with ALS.”
Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center Physiatry & Neuromuscular Center ALS Clinic provides a multidisciplinary team approach to caring for people with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and is actively involved in research. The Clinic includes a neurologist, physiatrist, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physical therapist, registered dietician, respiratory therapist, registered nurse, and licensed independent clinical social worker.
The nationally recognized center brings together different specialists in one space to provide patients and families with convenient, world-class care close to home. This approach has been shown to improve quality of life and survival for people living with ALS.
Patients may participate in research trials for investigational drugs to treat ALS through the Providence Medical Research Center. Additionally, many Providence clinicians are engaged in clinical and translational research in ALS through collaboration with WSU scientists via the Gleason Institute. The ALS Center also trains resident physicians in the management of this complex disease.
The ALS Association CTCE program sets forth rigorous standards and requirements to receive this designation, including:
- A strong relationship with the local ALS Association partner
- A multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health professionals caring for ALS patients
- A neurologist with the specific knowledge base to evaluate and treat people living with this disease
- Active involvement in ALS-related research
- Ongoing process improvement initiatives
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