Houston VA Opens New Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic

The clinic offers a “one-stop-shop” for patients with the disease, which attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, progressively weakening muscle cells and often causing paralysis in the legs and arms.    

“Veterans with ALS often see multiple specialists and therapists, usually requiring them to go to different locations, both within and outside our medical center,” said Dr. Pitchaiah Mandava, Chief of Neurology.  “Our new clinic will allow patients to stay in one room and all the specialists to cycle through that room.   It will be so much more convenient and easy for our Veterans and improve the coordination of their care.” 

Ernest Henderson, a Marine Veteran from Humble, was the first patient to receive care in the new ALS clinic and he and his wife Susan were thrilled to participate in a special ribbon cutting ceremony officially celebrating the clinic opening.  

“Putting everything in one place is hugely convenient,” Susan said.  “Getting around can be a challenge for us.  If he had to come downtown to have six different appointments it would totally wipe him out.  This will be so much easier.”

With complexities and various symptoms among ALS patients, Mandava said it’s impossible for doctors to manage all their needs alone at one appointment. Veterans will now able to get expert care from a full array of specialists, including neurologists, pulmonologists, ENT specialists, mental health providers, speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians and social workers….all in one afternoon.  Veterans can also see a representative from the ALS Association and Paralyzed Veterans of America while in the new ALS Clinic.

“Studies have confirmed that people who participate in multidisciplinary clinics, have better quality of life, and live longer,”  said Mandava.   “Our Veterans deserve the best and we are happy to be able to offer them state-of-the-art care in our new clinic.”  

Houston VA’s ALS Clinic, located in the Spinal Cord Injury Center Outpatient Clinic on the first floor of the medical center, also offers Veterans and their caregivers convenient parking.   The clinic will serve about 50 Veterans per year.

VA Benefits

Those who’ve served in the military are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS as those who have not served. VA also recognizes ALS as a service-connected disease and provides financial and medical support to those with at least 90 continuous days of military service.

ALS disease currently has no cure, but researchers nationwide, including locally at Houston VA and Baylor College of Medicine, are working hard to find a cure. Meanwhile, there are medications available to help extend life and improve the quality of life in patients with ALS and Houston VA is committed to offering these Veterans top quality health care.

“Serving ALS Veterans is a great honor to me and the rest of the team,” said Dr. James Orengo,  Neurology Care Line.   “We understand the tremendous adaptation the Veteran must face dealing with this disease and are dedicated to being there for them, to help guide them through the process and enhance their quality of life.”