FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the ALS Association (ALSA) celebrated the opening of a new multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, at its Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville.

 

Made possible by a three-year, $424,542 Hoffman Clinic Development Award from the ALS Association, this new clinic will provide increased access to specialized care for patients in Northwest Arkansas living with this progressive neurodegenerative disease.

 

Led by Rohit Dhall, M.D., a nationally recognized neurologist and neurodegenerative disorders specialist, the UAMS Health Northwest Arkansas ALS Clinic in Fayetteville brings the expertise and compassionate care of Arkansas’ only academic health sciences center to patients in the region. Dhall is a professor and the chair of the UAMS Department of Neurology, with extensive clinical and research experience in ALS and other complex neurodegenerative disorders.

 

“ALS is a life-altering diagnosis that requires comprehensive, coordinated and timely care, and UAMS is committed to delivering this for our state.” Dhall said. “Our goal is to make that care more accessible to patients and families in Northwest Arkansas by providing high-quality, multidisciplinary support close to home.”

 

The new clinic offers a collaborative approach to care, with a team of specialists working together to support patients throughout their ALS journey. Services include neurology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, respiratory therapy, nutritional counseling, social work, clinical research coordination and more — all designed to address the physical, emotional and social challenges associated with ALS.

 

“We work with the best ALS physicians and clinics across the United States to make sure people living with ALS have access to the best specialized care no matter their zip code,” said Cal Brooks, ALSA regional vice president. “ALS multidisciplinary clinics offer significant benefits for our friends living with ALS, including improved quality of life, extended survival and proactive symptom management. We are thrilled to partner with UAMS in the launch of this satellite ALS clinic that provides increased access to specialized ALS care for everyone.”

 

ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually respiratory failure. While there is no cure for ALS, coordinated care can help manage symptoms, maintain function and improve quality of life.

 

This is the second ALS clinic operated by UAMS, complementing the original Little Rock location and fulfilling a growing need for access to specialty neurological care in the state’s rapidly expanding northwest region.

 

“Expanding ALS care to our Northwest Campus is part of UAMS’s broader mission to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans,” said Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost and chief strategy officer and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “By offering this essential service in Fayetteville, we are removing barriers to care and making it easier for patients and families to get the support they need.”

 

“The opening of the ALS Clinic in Northwest Arkansas reflects our commitment to bringing world-class specialty care closer to the communities we serve,” said Ryan Cork, MHSA, vice chancellor of the UAMS Northwest Region. “By working with the ALS Association, we are ensuring that patients and families in our region have access to the expertise, resources and compassionate support they need — right here at home.”

 

The UAMS Health ALS Clinic, located at 1125 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville, is now accepting referrals. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can visit uamshealth.com/condition/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis or call the UAMS Health appointment line at 501-686-8000.