New Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic Opens at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children's Memorial Hospital, announce a new clinical partnership that will greatly improve the care of children living with neuromuscular diseases. 

"MDA is thrilled to welcome Lurie Children's and its pediatric experts to our national network of clinics," said MDA Interim President and Medical Director Valerie Cwik, MD. "Children with neuromuscular disorders often have complex medical needs.  Having the pediatric specialists working together in one location allows for better coordination of care and makes it so much easier on families.  In addition, the clinic specialists will have the opportunity to collaborate with MDA clinics across the country on research and clinical initiatives."

The clinic joins MDA's network of 200 clinics and complements the Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Program at Lurie Children's by providing additional funding for a multidisciplinary clinic that offers family-centered care. 

"Having multiple experts observe a child's movement and function during a single visit increases our ability to efficiently recommend and implement therapies, adaptive equipment and treatments to improve their function and well-being," said Nancy L. Kuntz, MD, MDA Clinic Director at Lurie Children's and associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Kuntz, who was recruited from Mayo Clinic in Rochester in the winter of 2009, has a longstanding interest in improving treatment for children with neuromuscular disorders. 

Lurie Children's affiliation with MDA will also allow patients and families to benefit from the Association's extensive range of support services and resources, as well as a wide variety of high quality educational materials.

During an MDA Clinic appointment, children can expect to see a number of health care specialists from a variety of disciplines during the same appointment in one location. MDA Clinic at Lurie Children's will be held several days each month and a patient visit will last two to three hours.   To make an appointment for the MDA Clinic, please call 312-227-3550. For more information visit www.luriechildrens.org

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country according to U.S. News & World Report.  It is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and one of only a handful of U.S. children's hospitals with a dedicated pediatric research center.

About MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

In addition to funding some 300 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters living with progressive muscle diseases.

To learn more about MDA, watch MDA SHOW of STRENGTH™ this Sunday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. on WGN-TV. The annual Labor Day weekend entertainment special will feature inspiring "stories of strength" about families affected by neuromuscular disease.

For more information, visit mda.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/MDAnational and Twitter @MDAnews.

For information on the MDA Clinic at Lurie Children's, visit www.luriechildrens.org

SOURCE Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago