New ALS Clinic in Southwest Florida

On Saturday, September 12th, Lee Memorial Health Systems opened a brand new Fort Myers health clinic dedicated to patients with ALS. The clinic is a welcomed addition to the community as patients living in the area have previously had to travel several hours to Miami, Jacksonville, or St. Petersburg just to find a multidisciplinary ALS clinic.

"There are over 100 patients living within a 60 mile radius of this new clinic, and that's just the patients we know about. There could be many more," said Nancy Baily, Director of Operations, ALS Association Florida Chapter. "There was a great need for a multidisciplinary ALS clinic on the Southwest Coast."

Several months ago, ALS Association supporters and patients in the community began writing letters to the board of directors at Lee Memorial Health Systems, voicing the need for an ALS clinic in the area. Lee Memorial responded quickly to the appeals and began many months of thoughtful planning for the clinic.

The Lee Memorial ALS Clinic is directed by Dr. Nima Mowzoon. The team includes neurologists, Dr. Adam Heller and Dr. William Carracino, respiratory therapists, a speech and language pathologist, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians, and the Florida Chapter Care Coordinator and social worker, Christine Bright, MSW. The medical team provides services to persons with ALS during a four-hour clinic which meets one to two Saturdays per month in Ft. Myers.

Persons with ALS who are interested in attending the Lee Memorial ALS Clinic must first make an appointment with one of three neurologists at the Florida Neurology Group: Dr. William Carracino, Dr. Adam Heller, or Dr. Nima Mowzoon. The Florida Neurology Group can be reached at 239-936-3554.

General questions can be directed to Southwest Florida Care Coordinator Christine Bright, MSW at 888-257-1717 ext 130 or cbright@alsafl.org.

Read recent news stories about the Fort Myers ALS Clinic.

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