Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) / MDA Clinic

LSU Health New Orleans ALS Clinic

The Clinic provides comprehensive care and education for people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease that causes severe damage to nerve cells that communicate with muscles. Our experienced and compassionate team works closely with patients and their families throughout their ALS journey. Our goal is to partner with patients to maximize patient’s health, functioning, and ability using available therapy, equipment, exercise, and nutrition.

The ALS clinical team specializes in neuromuscular disorders and other conditions associated with ALS. After thorough assessment, the team works closely with patients to create a comprehensive clinical care plan, including respiratory evaluations, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, speech and swallowing, mental health, and access to resources.

At the initial clinical consultation and each follow up clinic visit, the team provides education on all aspects of ALS, ongoing clinical care, integration into the interprofessional clinical approach, neurological assessment, and customized plan of care. The ALS clinical team works to educate and include the patient and family, empowering them in their own care plan.

The LSU Health – New Orleans ALS Clinic is also a training ground for students attending school at LSUHSC. We have students from our schools of Medicine and Allied Health who gain valuable experience learning from those they see and will take that knowledge and experience into our communities.

History of the LSU Health New Orleans ALS Clinic

In May of 2013, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced the designation of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans School of Medicine as an official MDA/ALS Center. This designation recognized the high standards of care offered by a team of specialized physicians and therapists for people in the Gulf South living with ALS.  LSU Health – New Orleans is the first MDA/ALS Center in Louisiana, joining a national network of MDA/ALS Centers providing a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of ALS.

In 2014, the Amyotrophic Lateral Association (ALS) named the LSU Health – New Orleans ALS Clinic as an ALS Association Recognized Treatment Center.

In 2023, The ALS Association named LSU as a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence. It is through a complex continuum of care and collaborations between providers, institutions, ALS Association Territories and The ALS Association’s clinical programs that patients, families and caregivers are better prepared to address the challenges associated with living with ALS.

To be designated a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence Program, LSU demonstrated the following major components:

  • a strong relationship with the local ALS Association partner
  • a multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health professionals providing care in our community
  • 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