Welcome to the
Kessenich Family MDA ALS Center

Mission - Goals - Management - Advisory Board - Our Services

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MISSION 

Our mission is to provide multi-dimensional support and advance research into the cause and cure of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and provide the highest level of care for patients with ALS and their families from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of the disease. 

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GOALS

1. To advise patients and families about the disease, the management of symptoms and provide counsel about decisions.
2. To assist patient and families in the management of the disease by having within the center or locally, sources in such areas as: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, communication, respiratory therapy, transportation, equipment, nutritionist, nursing services, pulmonary, gastroenterology medical services including alternative medicine.
3. To organize and supervise support groups in conjunction with ALS support groups presently operating in the region.
4. To conduct therapeutic trials.
5. To serve as liaison between the primary physician and visiting nurse service hospice care, physician specialist, medical consultant and insurance company case manager.
6. To publish a quarterly newsletter and a web site with the purpose of keeping patients and families current regarding developments about the disease and to provide a database of aids, appliances, and information.

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MANAGEMENT

The Kessenich MDA ALS Family Center of the Department of Neurology of the University of Miami School of Medicine is directed by:

Medical Director:

Ashok Verma, M.D., D.M.,
Professor
Phone: (305) 243-7400
Email: averma@med.miami.edu

Director of Nursing:

Ginna Gonzalez, BSN, R.N., CGRN
Email: Ggonzal4@med.miami.edu

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ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Board of the Center provides assistance to the Director and makes recommendations as to the projects to be carried out through the center and activities of the center.

The Advisory Board includes:

Chairperson: Mrs. Barbara K. Robertson - Represents the Kessenich Family
Phone: (864) 242 4065
             (864) 270 0912 (cell)


Treasurer: Mr. Tim Neher


Paul Kessenich
Phone: (917) 887 7495 (cell)
e-mail: pkess4@aol.com


Mark Kessenich
Phone: (516) 241 5654 (cell)
e-mail: mark@kess3.com


Jeff Newton - Alumni Relations, University of Miami, School of Medicine
Assistant Vice President for Medical
Development and Alumni Relations
University of Miami, School of Medicine
Phone: (305) 243 6256


Dr. Rodney Howell - Professor and Chairman, Department of Pediatrics of the University of Miami,
School of Medicine and Chairman of MDA's Scientific Advisory Committee representing the MDA
Phone: (305) 243 3993


Kevin Packman
Holland & Knight
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 374 8500
e-mail: kevin.packman@hklaw.com


Mrs. Sylvia Powell - Director ofBusiness and Fiscal Affairs,
Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine
Phone: (305) 243 7521


Dr. Walter G. Bradley - Former Medical Director, Kessenich Family MDA ALS Center
Phone: (305) 243-1164
wbradley@med.miami.edu


Tom Parker
Pager 800 254 4193
Phone: (561) 659-0156


Jose Perez Jr.
(786) 271 0332 (cell)


Albert Perez
alberto@natholdings.com


Mario Tyson, RN

Walter Badley, DM, FRCP Ashok Verma, MD, DM

ALS NEUROLOGISTS Dr. Bradley and Dr. Verma have special expertise in diagnosing, evaluating and managing patients with ALS and other neuromuscular diseases. The initial role of the Neurologist is the medical evaluation of the patient and diagnosis or confirmation of diagnosis. Physicians handle all medical questions, identify pressing issues, discuss the latest developments in ALS research and offer the patients the opportunity to participate in clinical research trials.

Ginna Gonzalez, RN, BSN

ALS REGISTERED NURSES Nurses work in conjunction with the Neurologist and the multidisciplinary team to provide support and coordinate health care to improve the patient's quality of life. The Nurses are also the liaison between The Kessenich Family MDA ALS Center staff and hospice care providers, primary doctors, insurance company and case managers, MDA ALS associations. Nurses also provide comprehensive patient and caregiver education.

Sabrina Camilo, PT, MSPT

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS Physical Therapists specialize in restoring and maintaining function, pain management, gait training and excersice.  PT's make recommendations about home excersice programs, assistive devices such as walkers, canes and other oethosis as well as wheelchair adaptations.

Erika Sauer, MS, CCC−SLP

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS The Speech Language Pathologist specializes in the treatment of swallowing problems. SLP's provide compensatory techniques to improve speech quality as well as augmentative and alternative communication devices to maintain independent communication ability. The Speech Language Pathologist works closely with the nutritionist to recommend effective strategies for swallowing.

NUTRITIONISTS The Nutritionist performs assessments of nutritional status, regularly evaluates appetite, weight and recommends if feeding tube (PEG) is required. The Nutritionist works closely with the Speech Pathologist to determine the degree of dysphagia and recommends strategies to modify food preparation and swallowing.

SOCIAL WORKER Social Work is a collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates options and services to meet an individual's health care needs. The Social Worker assesses the social and financial resources of the patients and provides information about disability and community services.

Salome Gozon, CRTT

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST The Respiratory Therapist evaluates the pulmonary function of the patient and recommends non-invasive ventilation or permanent ventilation. The Respiratory Therapist can help patients and families learn about the many ways to enhance breathing and the indi cations for and implications of each alternative.

Barbara Simmonds, PhD

PSYCHOLOGIST The Psychologist provides counseling to patients and families and assists in coping with the effects of Post Polio. The Psychologist is there to listen and to help the patient and family adjust to the diagnosis and the functional changes as they occur.

Denise Castro

MDA PATIENT'S COORDINATOR The Coordinator serves as a liaison between patients and the ALS clinic. She helps them obtain services from community resources and is a patient advocate.