The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Neuromuscular Center at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center has been designated as a new MDA/ALS research and clinical center. A partnership between the MDA and INTEGRIS Health has promoted improvement in patient access, increased public awareness, continued volume growth, and affiliation with pending clinical research and drug trial breakthroughs. MDA is a national voluntary health agency combating neuromuscular diseases that affect both children and adults. The MDA covers 43 disorders, including muscular dystrophy, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), spinal muscular atrophy and myasthenia gravis.

Currently, more than 2,000 Oklahomans are being assisted by the MDA with medical expenses, equipment and community resources. Prior to the opening of the Neuromuscular Center, many patients and their family members had to travel to Houston for comprehensive evaluation and treatment. Now, these patients can stay in Oklahoma and receive the same interdisciplinary approach by the INTEGRIS neuromuscular team. In fact, this is the only center of its kind in Oklahoma.

A team you can rely on
So what makes this center unique? Through the center, a highly experienced and resourceful team of professionals is now available to assist both pediatric and adult patients. Nurse coordinators tackle diverse tasks, from coordinating the allied health team to ensuring that patients’ needs are met – including monitoring general physical status and vital signs, processing lab work, facilitating future patient clinic visits and managing hospital referrals and admissions. A physical therapist provides consultation on exercises, positioning, orthotics and braces, mobility and pain management. Occupational therapists consult with patients to educate them about alternative methods for doing everyday activities, as well as make them aware of the various types of equipment that allows for high levels of functional independence in their homes and community settings. The physical therapist and occupational therapist also work closely with the certified rehabilitation technology specialist to address any seating, positioning or mobility equipment needs.

Specialists make a difference
Other allied health professional team members include a respiratory therapist, clinical dietitian, speech-language pathologist and rehabilitation psychologist. The respiratory therapist evaluates and provides treatment for breathing disorders by means of mechanical assistance. Clinical dietitians assist with maintenance of proper nutritional intake and a vitamin regimen to help maximize the patients’ general health, while at the same time minimizing the progression of weakness attributed to poor diet. As weakness occurs and dietary issues become more significant, a speech-language pathologist is consulted to adapt the consistency of the diet and discuss positions for swallowing and signs of aspiration. The speech-language pathologist also consults with the patient on augmentative assistive communication devices as needed. A rehabilitation psychologist is available to provide individual and family counseling to assist patients and family members with making the adjustment to disability. The rehabilitation psychologist also facilitates the monthly ALS support group, which is composed of about 25 individuals with ALS and their families and significant others. This group is a psycho-educational group and provides ongoing emotional support, social stimulation and education about innovative treatments and medications for ALS.

Additional support available
MDA staff members are present for each patient clinic visit and provide information regarding community resources and educational materials. MDA financial assistance is also available to assist patients who do not have the financial resources for medical expenses. In the past year, due to increased volume and expansion, the national MDA has increased the Oklahoma health grant by almost 50 percent.

The center has recently been identified as the 36th ALS-certified center in the United States, and is one of only two nonacademic affiliated programs in the nation.

Brent A. Beson, M.D.
Dr. Brent Beson has been the medical director of the MDA Neuromuscular Center, located on the campus of INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, since July 2004. Beson has a long history with INTEGRIS Southwest – first working as a cafeteria grill cook and then as a radiology transporter from 1991 to 1995. His humble beginning of transporting patients has evolved into providing acute and outpatient medical management for individuals with neuromuscular disease.

He graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Medicine in 1999. He completed his medical adult neurology residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he was elected by his peers to serve as chief neurology resident from 2002 to 2003. He then completed a fellowship in neuromuscular disease and clinical neurophysiology at Washington University, St. Louis. Beson has had multiple honors and distinctions throughout his career, and has lectured at numerous appointments throughout the Midwest on the topic of neuromuscular disease.

INTEGRIS Health 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 949-3011 | HealthLine: (888) 951-2277