The ALS Center at Johns Hopkins is a world recognized leader in providing superior clinical care and offering the latest in clinical trials and therapies to ALS patients. The Center provides comprehensive clinical care and disease education from initial diagnosis to advanced disease. Our team provides sensitive and caring support for patients and their families. The therapeutic goal is to maximize a patient’s health, functioning, and ability using available therapy, equipment, exercise, and nutrition. Clinical research participation is offered to all appropriate and eligible ALS clinic patients.
First, patients are initially evaluated by a Johns Hopkins neurologist in the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center. These physicians are specially trained in neuromuscular diseases and the multiple disorders closely related to ALS. Once diagnosis is confirmed by the neurologist, the ALS clinical team directed by Lora L. Clawson, MSN, CRNP creates a clinical care treatment plan after a thorough assessment by all team members.
The multidisciplinary team assesses patient needs, tailors this individualized clinical treatment plan, and implements a wide range of recommended clinical services based on the team’s assessments. The team collaborates with local health care providers to facilitate treatment plan adherence. The ALS Center coordinates and collaborates with team members in areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, speech and swallowing, as well as respiratory evaluations for our patient population.
The clinical consultation involves education on all aspects of ALS, ongoing clinical care, orientation to the multidisciplinary clinical approach, neurological assessment, discussion of ongoing and upcoming clinical trials, and an individualized treatment plan of care. Through the patient and family educational process, they become knowledgeable and empowered as team members in making the many necessary medical decisions during the course of the disease.
Mission Statement:
- To provide optimal clinical care and enhance the quality of life to individuals and their families living with ALS through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and educational model of care.
- To provide opportunities for the participation in basic and clinical research related to the cause and pathogenesis of ALS including therapeutic trials.
