August 27th, 2008 - KWTV-OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The INTEGRIS MDA Neuromuscular Center serves hundreds of patients every year, dedicating their assistance to men and women in Oklahoma.
Dr. Brent Beson, the director of the center, said Oklahoma residents diagnosed with the muscular disease no longer have to travel to another state for treatment.
"Really, the biggest thing we provide more than anything else is an understanding of what's going on and a level of support that they will not get anywhere else," Beson said.
The clinic sees anywhere from 50 to 100 people a week. When the clinic's patient list began to grow, the center began receiving national recognition.
Beson said his team is pioneering new ways to treat muscular dystrophy patients.
"There are some machines that we can use that are non-evasive in ways that we can measure their breathing function that has caught on around a number of other centers in this region," Beson said.
There are still Oklahomans who are unaware of the services offered by the center. Word-of-mouth and donations make this clinic possible for those in need of its services.
"We need the continued support of the MDA and people of Oklahoma watching the telethon to understand the importance of donations to help us in this fight against muscal disease," Beson said.
There are plans to expand the clinic, which includes the recent hire of a new neuromuscular physician.
By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9