Hackensack University Medical Center Moves to Forefront of Medical Research and Patient Care for ALS
New ALS Center opens at a pivotal time in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating and debilitating diseases
/p>
Optimizing on its strengths as an academic medical center, the Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center has opened an ALS Center that ensures seamless coordination between physicians, neuroscience researchers, and a host of trans-disciplinary professionals in the fields of nursing, social work, speech and language pathology, nutrition, physical and occupational therapy, palliative medicine, and respiratory therapy.
The center’s comprehensive approach recognizes that ALS and other forms of motor neuron diseases dramatically affect patients and their families. The center’s team of experts are focused on slowing the progression of symptoms through medication treatment, while also improving patient quality of life.
In collaboration with the ALS Association, our integrated interprofessional team offers comprehensive care and provides the support, services and assistive devices needed to enable patients to optimize independence in their daily lives.
Dedicated to providing each patient with a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan, our highly specialized team members take pride in their expertise and commitment to state-of-the-art services including: neurological evaluation focused on ascertaining the correct diagnosis, physical and occupational therapy, swallow and speech therapy, nutrition, nursing care, respiratory care, psychological well-being and health behavior, pharmacological treatment, and social services.
The team leading the launch of the ALS Center includes:
- Robert D. Connors, M.D., Neurologist, Co-Director
- Florian P. Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., Neurologist, Co-Director
- Claire Gibbons, PT, Director of Rehabilitation Medicine
The center directs individualized treatment plans to meet patients’ physical, cognitive and emotional needs as they evolve. Further, comprehensive assessments, diagnostic and follow-up testing, education and treatment are individualized for each patient.