New clinic is 'last refuge' for children with neurological
disorders
Phoenix, AZ, October 7, 2005-The Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) has teamed up with the Children's Health Center at
St. Joseph's Hospital and the Barrow Neurological Institute to
establish a new Pediatric Neurogenetics Center. The center will
provide a multidisciplinary diagnostic setting for children with
complex and tragic neurogenetic disorders.
"This clinic is a last refuge for children with neurological
disorders that remain unexplained. We will seek to use
state-of-the-art research tools to decipher diseases and offer
solutions to children and families," said Dr. Dietrich Stephan,
head of TGen's Neurogenomics Division. "This is a unique effort
which complements the significant expertise and focus in Arizona on
keeping our children safe and healthy."
(L-R) Dr. Dietrich Stephan, Dr. Vinodh Narayanan, TGen genetic
counselor Stephanie Buchholtz, and Dr. Kirk Aleck, gather at the
kick off reception for the new Pediatric Neurogenetics Center at
St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.
The center's team of expert clinicians, researchers and academics
offers children and their families the most comprehensive care
available. The fusion of neurological, genetic and clinical
experience offered by the center's care team makes it the only
facility in Arizona and one of only a few in the nation to offer
this type of cutting-edge evaluation.
"Children with neurogenetic problems are often difficult to
diagnose," said Dr. Vinodh Narayanan, a pediatric neurologist at
St. Joe's. "They often go through extensive evaluations, exams,
genetic consultations, radiological studies, and genetic testing
without arriving at any conclusions."
The clinic is under the directorship of clinical geneticist Dr.
Kirk Aleck and Dr. Narayanan, who lead a staff of genetic
counselors, metabolic specialists, and highly trained nurse
practitioners.
"We are dedicated to helping kids with complicated neurological
problems that may be genetic in origin and have been difficult to
diagnose," said Dr. Aleck. "The collaboration between TGen,
Barrow's, and St. Joseph's Hospital creates a team that is unique
and capable in making progress in diagnosing these children."
The Pediatric Neurogentics Clinic is located on the campus of St.
Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ.
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Media Contacts: Amy Erickson-TGen (602) 343-8522
Kimberly Lodge-St. Joseph's Hospital (602) 406-1050
About TGen
The mission of the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen) is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances
in human health. Translational genomics research is a relatively
new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human
Genome Project and applying them to the development of diagnostics,
prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders,
diabetes and other complex diseases. TGen is focused on
personalized medicine and plans to accomplish its goals through
robust and disease-focused research programs and its
state-of-the-art bioinformatics and computational biology
facilities.
About St. Joseph's Medical Center
Located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, St. Joseph's Hospital
and Medical Center is a 520-bed, not-for-profit hospital that
provides a wide range of health, social and support services with
special advocacy for the poor and underserved. St. Joe's is a
nationally recognized center for quality tertiary care, medical
education and research. It includes the internationally known
Barrow Neurological Institute and the only Trauma Center in the
state of Arizona that is verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the
American College of Surgeons. The hospital is also a respected
center for pediatrics, maternity care, oncology, orthopedics,
cardiology and many other medical services.