LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2005--In only two years since it opened its doors to meet a full range of needs of people with ALS, the ALS clinic at the University of Kentucky and Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital has become the 23rd ALSA Center(SM) certified by The ALS Association (ALSA), the nation's preeminent leader in the fight against ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

The ALSA Center program sets the national standard for clinical care for people living with ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, and their family members.

Under the direction of Edward Kasarskis, M.D., Ph.D., the University of Kentucky ALS Center is located at the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, Ky., where a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals provide care to ALS patients and their families in a supportive, family-oriented atmosphere.

"The entire ALS team, the University of Kentucky ALS Center, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and the ALSA Kentucky Chapter, is excited about the designation," said Kasarskis. "This represents the maturation of our center and an official recognition of the multidisciplinary talents of our team members who share a common goal -- the optimal care of patients with ALS and their families. In a largely rural state such as Kentucky, it is very important that the ALS patient and their families can access the expertise of the ALS team in an efficient manner and our clinic strives to do just that."

"This collaborative environment provides patients with a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan designed to maximize function and the quality of life," said Connie Jurige, president of the ALSA Kentucky Chapter, which agreed to support the clinic's desire to become certified as a Center of Excellence.

"This team approach provides the highest quality of care for people with ALS and their families," added Jurige, whose chapter sends a member of its Patient Services team to participate at the Center on clinic days and provides compensation to the Center dietician.

Approximately 30,000 Americans, at any given time, are afflicted by ALS. The life expectancy for those living with the disease is approximately two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

The ALS Association is the nation's only not for profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.

For more information about ALSA Centers in the United States, visit www.alsa.org/community/centers.cfm.