Neuromuscular Diseases

Muscular Dystrophy Association Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)and Neuromuscular Disease Rehabilitation Center

The MDA, ALS Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Center at UWMC offers diagnosis, comprehensive rehabilitation, and ongoing health management for individuals with any of the neuromuscular diseases covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Additionally the clinic is a designated MDA, ALS Center, providing comprehensive care for this disorder.

Living with any of these conditions can present many challenges that require specialized knowledge and intervention. Our rehabilitation and neurological team is prepared to help clients cope with these challenges, approaching each as a unique individual with a unique set of problems and strengths. Our goal is to promote an optimal quality of life for those affected by neuromuscular disorders.

Clinic Staff
The clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who have experience working with people who have neuromuscular conditions. Evaluation and treatment are under the supervision of the clinic directors, and each client is also seen by a resident physician who has completed his or her medical school training and is receiving special post-graduate training in Rehabilitation Medicine or Neurology.

The MDA Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Clinic staff includes:

MDA Clinic Co-Directors:
George H. Kraft, MD
Thomas D. Bird, MD

MDA/ALS Center Co-Directors:
Gregory T. Carter, M.D.
Michael D. Weiss, M.D.

Attending Physicians:
Thomas H. Hecht, M.D.
Jane Distad, M.D.
Stephen J. Tapscott, MD, PhD
Eric E. Kraus, MD

Rehabilitation Psychologist:
Mark Jensen, PhD

Pulmonary Physician:
Joshua O. Benditt, MD

Counselor:
Joe Stuckey, MS

In addition to regular clinic staff, other specialists are available for consultation and treatment as needed, from disciplines such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Swallowing Clinic, GI Endoscopy, Pulmonary, and Prosthetics and Orthotics, through the University of Washington Medical Center and School of Medicine.

Appointments:
The MDA Clinic is held in the afternoon on the first Wednesday and third Friday of each month in the Rehabilitation Clinic on the second floor of the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC). To schedule a new appointment, call the Clinic at 206-598-4295.

Please make every effort to keep your appointment. However, if you find it necessary to change or cancel your appointment, call the clinic at least 48 hours in advance so that we can fill the slot. If you know that you wish to see a psychologist or vocational counselor on the same day as your clinic visit, please request an appointment for this by calling the clinic nurse at 206-598-4295.

For Information About Other MDA Services
Information on the various services provided through the MDA can be obtained from patient services representative Carole Miller or Tammy Winston at 206-283-2106. She can provide information about equipment loans, transportation, support groups, informational meeting series for clients and families, as well as once yearly home visits by occupational and physical therapists.