Commitment to Excellence: Houston VA honored as ALS Certified Treatment Center

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A Houston VA clinic designed for Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, has received designation as a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence by the ALS

Association.

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center’s multidisciplinary ALS clinic opened in 2022 to offer Veterans a “one-stop-shop” to treat 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.    

“Patients with ALS often see multiple specialists and therapists, usually requiring them to go to different locations,” said Dr. Fariha Jamal, Chief of Neurology at Houston VA and Associate

Professor of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine.  “Our VA clinic allows Veterans to stay in one room and have our specialists cycle through that room.   It is much more convenient and

easier for our Veterans and is a true testament to the collaborative culture we have at the Houston VA.” 

Ernest Henderson, a Marine Veteran from Humble, was one of the first patients to receive care in the new ALS clinic. He and his wife Susan were thrilled by the setup.

“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 is so much easier.”

With complexities and various symptoms among ALS patients, Jamal said doctors can’t manage all their needs alone at one appointment. Veterans in Houston’s ALS Clinic can 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.

The ALS Association Center of Excellence program sets forth rigorous standards and requirements to receive this designation, including:

• Neurologist/s with the specific knowledge base to evaluate and treat people living with ALS.

• Multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health professionals.

• Strong relationship with the local ALS Association partner.

“Studies have confirmed that people with ALS who participate in multidisciplinary clinics, have better quality of life, and live longer,” said Dr. Jamal.   “Our Veterans deserve the best and

we are happy to be able to offer them state-of-the-art care in our Houston VA ALS clinic.”  

According to the ALS Association, those who have 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 improve the quality of life for ALS patients 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, ALS specialist at the Houston VA.   “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.”