Peoria, IL,
20
February
2017
|
21:16 PM
America/Chicago

OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute Multiple Sclerosis Center Earns Center for Comprehensive Care Designation

National Multiple Sclerosis Society status earned for a third time

The OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute (INI) Multiple Sclerosis Center has once again been designated by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as a Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care. This is the third time, dating back to 2006, that the MS Center has been so recognized.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating autoimmune disease. MS attacks the central nervous system, its cause is unknown. Left untreated, a person with MS can have difficulty walking; have problems with memory or cognitive skills, and other health issues. While MS can occur at any age, most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

Nearly 10,000 people are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis each year, with more than 450,000 people in the U.S. having the disease, including more than 20,000 in the state of Illinois.

As a center for comprehensive care, the INI MS Center in Peoria, part of OSF HealthCare, provides comprehensive exams which include physician evaluation, diagnostic testing, assessment with physical therapy, and patient face-to-face time with a dietitian, Social Worker, and MS Certified nurse.

"The care received from the INI MS Center really stands out as we approach the patient from an overall perspective in treating their MS,” said Dennis Garwacki, MD, Director of the INI Multiple Sclerosis Center. “In addition to two physicians who specialize in the treatment of MS, a physical therapist, MS certified nurses, social workers, psychologists, and dietitians all work together in providing comprehensive care for patients. While this approach can be time consuming, it really allows us to treat all areas of the body affected by MS."

Neurologists on the MS Center’s team are highly-trained specialists in multiple sclerosis, neuro-immunology, and neuro-ophthalmology. The INI team uses the next generation of diagnostics, outpatient rehabilitation, and research trials for those who qualify. Actively conducting MS research is one of the requirements to being designated as a Center for Comprehensive MS Care.