Our Lady of the Lake has opened a new multidisciplinary clinic serving patients and families diagnosed with ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group ALS Clinic is the first of its kind in the Baton Rouge metro area to provide the highly specialized care that addresses the multiple and diverse needs of ALS patients.
“It is very difficult for patients with ALS to travel, so this clinic will mean a great deal to patients who will no longer have to seek care outside of their community,” said Stephen Brierre, MD, medical director of the Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group ALS Clinic. “On top of that, our model will allow ALS patients the ease and convenience of accessing all of the specialists their care requires in a single appointment rather than having to visit different clinics at different times.”
In one visit, patients will see specialists in neurology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, pulmonology, speech therapy, nutrition, and supportive care. The supportive care discipline is especially unique to this clinic as it is a relatively new medical specialty to provide supportive care to those living with a serious illness to improve their symptoms or quality of life.
The ALS clinic is designed to approach each patient individually, using input from each ALS patient and their family members. The delivery model for care emphasizes interaction with other patients and their caregivers in a group environment to provide social support in addition to their medical care.
“Instead of patients being in an exam room with different specialists rotating in and out, the patients will be in one large room where specialists can visit among them in an energetic, nurturing atmosphere,” said Dr. Brierre.
It’s a model championed by Annie Chatellier, an Our Lady of the Lake team member who was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. She says the concept reflects best practices from renowned clinics across the United States.
“It was so important to me to have that socializing component, because it’s people who are living it, people who are overcoming the challenges day to day and sharing their own stories. Some of the therapists might have suggestions, but not to the degree you get from somebody who’s lived it. In a way, it serves like a support group,” said Chatellier.
There is no known cause or cure for ALS. It is a progressive and neurodegenerative disease in which the cells that control voluntary muscle movement die. The condition causes progressive muscle weakness, muscle wasting, weight loss, difficulty speaking or swallowing, shortness of breath, or difficulty controlling emotions.
“The reality is that this is a progressive disease, nothing is going to change that,” said Chatellier. “There is going to come a time when travelling for care is not an option for me. It means everything to know this clinic will be here in Baton Rouge, and I know there are a ton of patients in Louisiana and Mississippi who are going to benefit now that we have it up and running.”
The Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group ALS Clinic will be held the second Friday of each month and began seeing patients on March 9. Patients who have already been diagnosed with ALS can be referred by their physician to this clinic for care.