ALS Clinic at Banner Good Samaritan in PhoenixIs Now 20th ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence^SM

The Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute houses the newest ALSA Center.

The ALS Clinic of Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., has been approved by The ALS Association, the pre-eminent leader in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as a certified ALS Association Center^SM.

The certification was granted in recognition of Banner Good Samaritan’s outstanding clinical programs for people with ALS and their family members and its research activities.  

Founded three years ago by Todd Levine, M.D., the ALS Clinic at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center is now one of 20 prestigious ALS Association Centers of Excellence in the country certified by The Association.

“How befitting that during the 20th anniversary of The ALS Association as an organization that we certify our 20th ALS Association Center,” said Association President and CEO Gary Leo. “Having another center expands the range of services offered to people in Arizonaliving with ALS and provides them with the peace of mind knowing they are receiving comprehensive, quality care.”

ALS Clinic Director Dr. Todd Levine

In a story published in the Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry, researchers of the recent study “Effect of a Multidisciplinary Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic on ALS Survival; a Population Based Study, 1996-2000,” found that “ALS patients in Irelandwho received their care at a multidisciplinary ALS clinic had a better prognosis than (ALS) patients attending a general neurology clinic.” In this study, Drs. B.J. Traynor, M. Alexander, B. Corr, E. Frost and O. Hardiman also reported that “Irish ALS patients who attended a multidisciplinary ALS clinic lived an average of 7.5 months longer than individuals (with ALS) who received their medical care at a general neurology clinic.”

The mission of the ALS Association Center Program is to define, establish and support a national standard of care in the management of ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. To receive certification, a facility must demonstrate the involvement of all necessary healthcare disciplines in the care of the ALS patient and family; offer care from a team of people specially trained to meet the needs of those living with ALS, conduct research and collaborate with other Centers to enhance ALS patient care and techniques. A program of site reviews was established so ALS Clinics meeting the rigorous standards could become certified as ALS Association Centers.

One of the cornerstones of the ALSA Center Program is the close working relationship between the local ALSA Chapter and the Center.

“The fact that Banner Good Samaritan is now the 20th certified ALS Association Centerin the country is tribute to its commitment to providing the highest quality care to PALS (patients) and CAL (caregivers),” said ALSA Arizona Chapter Executive Director Dan Fuchs, whose Chapter works closely with the Clinic. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Dr. Todd Levine and his multidisciplinary staff.”

“We enthusiastically support the certification of the ALS Clinic of Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., as a certified Center,” said Association Patient Services Vice President Mary Lyon, who led the certification process.

“The atmosphere of the Clinic is positive and welcoming,” continued Lyon. “The mood of staff is upbeat and interested. Patients and families are encouraged to ask questions and to discuss problems and concerns in an unhurried and interested manner. Overall, the ALS Clinic is well run and the staff is qualified, talented and relate well to patients and families.”

Dr. Todd Levine (right) tests ALS patient Paul Brown.

Levine, a neuromuscular neurologist and director of the Clinic, has assembled an impressive multidisciplinary team at the ALS Clinic that provides patients with comprehensive evaluation and treatment designed to maximize their physical function and quality of life. The team includes: a registered nurse/clinic coordinator, physical therapist; occupational therapist, dietitian, speech and language pathologist, social worker, respiratory therapist and ALS Association chapter liaison. Some of this core team are members of The ALS Association Arizona Chapter’s Board and Patient Care Committee.

“The designation of the Banner Good Samaritan ALS Clinic in Phoenix as a national ALS Association Centeris both a beginning and an end of a process,” said Levine. “We have been working for several years to deliver the highest quality care to our PALS population and this serves as outstanding recognition for the entire team’s hard work. It also puts us in the company of other elite ALS Clinics and will allow us to move forward and facilitate more research and strive to find a cure for our patients.”

Located on the ground level of the Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute, the spacious Center includes five examination rooms, an office and staff conference space, equipment and supply storage, all dedicated to ALS service. Also, the facility features rehabilitation gym and therapy equipment. In addition, the Institute is equipped with telemedicine technology to serve patients in more rural areas of Arizona. Outpatient therapists are located in the same building and wound care service adjacent to the clinic. Wheelchair access, adjacent parking and handicap restrooms for physically challenged visitors are all available.

The ALS Association established standards of excellence for ALS Clinics in the late1980s. Among the first Clinics to be certified were The Cleveland Clinic, the University of Vermont, Forbes Norris ALS Research Center California Pacific Medical Center, the University of Michigan Health System, and the Harry J. Hoenselaar ALS Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital.

“The ALS Association’s Center Program sets the national standard for clinical care for people living with ALS and their family members. The nationwide network of 20 certified ALSA Centers of Excellence provide state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary ALS care and services in a supportive, family-oriented atmosphere with emphasis on hope and quality of life while living with the disease,” added Lyon.

The ALS Clinic of Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center is the second ALS Clinic in Arizonato be certified by ALSA. In 2003, the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale became the 19th certified ALS Association Center.

For more information about ALS and a complete list of ALS Association Centers in the United States, please visit www.alsa.org/community/centers.cfm. For more information about the Arizona Chapter, please visit www.alsaz.org.

For more information on the ALS Clinic at Banner Good Samaritan, please visit www.bannerhealth.com, key phrase “ALS.”

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. Since 1985, ALSA has raised more than $100 million in the fight against ALS.

The ALS Association’s Arizona Chapter offers an array of services and programs to people with ALS, promotes awareness and understanding of ALS and the work of The Association by providing up-to-date information and education materials to the ALS community, ALS patients and families, caregivers, researchers, and members in the health care fields in the state of Arizona.

Banner Good Samaritan, a teaching hospital that trains more than 230 physicians annually, has been providing care to the community since 1911. Each year, relying on cutting edge technologies, the hospital’s 1,800 physicians, representing 50 specialties, take care of more than 36,000 patients.