MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Note to Media: Please call (714) 938-1080 to RSVP attendance.
UCI Medical Center and ALS Association Celebrate Opening of
New ALS Clinic at Invitation-only reception on
Thursday, February 23
What: Open house for the new ALS Clinic located at the Gottschalk
Medical Plaza on the University of California, Irvine campus
is being hosted by UCI and the ALS Association-Orange County
Chapter. The new clinic is the first in Orange County to
offer a multidisciplinary setting specifically for patients
with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou
Gehrig's disease. The monthly clinic offers patients access
to neurologists, registered nurses, physical therapists,
respiratory therapists, speech and language pathologists
and social workers. Patients also have preferred access to
a dedicated pulmonologist and surgeon experienced in ALS
to provide pulmonary consultation and consultation for
feeding tubes and muscle biopsies.
Who: Dr. Tahseen Mozaffar, UCI director of the ALS clinic and
assistant professor of clinical neurology, members from
the ALS Association's Orange County Chapter and associates.
Where: Gottschalk Clinic
UC Irvine Campus
2100 Medical Plaza Drive
http://www.ucihealth.com/patient/Gottschalkmap1.htm
When: Thursday, February 23, 2006
6-8 p.m.
Background: Lou Gehrig first brought national attention to ALS, a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that can cause difficulty walking, speaking, swallowing and even breathing. The disease is fatal, causing degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord. As many as 30,000 people are affected with ALS in the United States, and a new American is diagnosed every 90 minutes.
Patients seeking a consultation or referral can call toll-free at 1-877-UCI-DOCS or visit www.ucihealth.com. Information is also available through The ALS Association-Orange County Chapter office at (714) 938-1080.