OMRF today opened its Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence. Physicians at the center expect to treat more than 2,000 Oklahomans suffering from MS, an inflammatory, degenerative disease of the central nervous system.
Located in the Oklahoma Health Center, the OMRF Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence features a host of facilities dedicated to MS evaluation and treatment. The center will be headed by Gabriel Pardo, M.D., a neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist who has specialized in treating MS patients for over a decade.
“This is a big step forward for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in Oklahoma and surrounding states,” said Pardo. “We’ve assembled a team of doctors and scientists who understand the realities of this complex condition and can work together to pair state-of-the-art treatment with emerging research.”
The center features cutting-edge facilities dedicated to disease evaluation and treatment. Patients will be seen in technologically advanced examination rooms and treated in a specially designed infusion suite. They will have access to ophthalmological and dental facilities and dedicated physical therapy with equipment specially designed for MS patients.
“Multiple sclerosis doesn’t just take a toll on the body, but it drastically impairs a patient’s lifestyle,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. “We’re not only improving our research capabilities with the new center, but by gathering many of the facilities used by MS patients in one place, we hope to make treatment more convenient.”
Patients may also choose to take part in clinical trials, which will help scientists determine whether newly developed treatments are safe and effective. These studies are not only important research tools; they also provide patients with access to experimental therapies not yet widely available.
“After months of intense work and planning, it’s a dream to see the center open today,” Pardo said. “But now the real work begins—treating Oklahomans with MS and working to help them live longer and healthier lives.”
“We at the National MS Society believe that research and treatment can stop disease progression, restore function, and end MS forever,” said Lucy Fraser, Development Director for the Oklahoma Chapter of the National MS Society. “As we move towards finding a cure, Oklahomans will now have access to quality, integrated care from this dedicated team of MS specialists.”
