Abilene Mayor Proclaims June as MG Awareness Month!
Note from Lydia Long, Abilene Support Group Leader.
In June 2009 we met for a Proclamation by the Mayor recognizing June as MG Awareness Month. We also had several newspaper articles regarding MG published and our June support group meeting was featured on a news cast. Click here for contact information for the Abilene Support Group!
Abilene Mayor Proclaims June as MG Awareness Month!
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
WHEN: FEB. 21ST @ 10:00 A.M.
WHERE: 702 MESQUITE, ICAN BUILDING
ABILENE TX
TOPIC: HANDLING STRESS & MG
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Myasthenia Gravis is a
chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that is all-too-often
unknown to the general public and undiagnosed by many in the
medical community. Myasthenia Gravis (MG) has no known cause or
cure. It can affect all races and both genders, and it can occur
at almost any age.
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Common symptoms can
include: |
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The mission of the MGFA (www.myasthenia.org), founded in 1952, is to facilitate the timely diagnosis and optimal care of individuals affected by MG and closely related disorders and to improve their lives through patient services, public information, medical research, professional education, advocacy and patient care. Throughout the year, and especially during its annual MG Awareness Month, the MGFA utilizes education and outreach in an effort to increase awareness of MG.
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Janice M. Massey, M.D., Professor of Neurology, Duke University
made the following presentation to the Math/Science Conference
12:30 p.m., Saturday, January 28, 2006
in the Onstead-Packer
Biblical Studies
Building in Hart Auditorium, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX
"Muscle Specific Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (MuSK) Antibodies
in Patients with Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis"
Acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by fluctuating muscular weakness usually involving ocular muscles with variable involvement of oropharyngeal, facial and limb muscles. Autoantibodies directed at the nicotinic muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR-ab) are found in about 80% of patients with MG. Among the 20% of seronegative patients without AChR antibodies, a distinct population have recently been found to have antibodies to muscle specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK). The specific role of MuSK antibodies in the pathogenesis of weakness is unclear. Evidence is mounting to suggest that MG patients with MuSK antibodies represent a unique subset of myasthenia with clinical presentation, diagnostic features and response to therapy. Use of MuSK antibody assay holds promise for better diagnosis of MG and unusual myopathies and may allow better selection of therapy for this unique group of patients.
Abilene Support Group attended this presentation.
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Dr. Massey Presents CME to Abilene Area Physicians
A CME Program entitled "Clinical Features of Myasthenia Gravis" sponsored by the Northwest Texas Chapter and Dr. Janice M. Massey was attended by 62 participants on February 19, 2002, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. The objectives of Dr. Massey's presentation included: 1) The most common clinical presentations of Myasthenia Gravis, 2) The most common clinical settings that can be life-threatening in Myasthenia Gravis, 3) Factors likely to exacerbate Myasthenia Gravis, and 4) Therapy or treatment approach of Myasthenia Gravis.
We were very privileged to have Janice May Munn Massey, M.D., Professor with Tenure, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Neurology, Durham, North Carolina, available to the Chapter to make this presentation. Dr. Massey has been the recipient of numerous grants for MG research from 1987 to the present time; has had abstracts published in Neurology, Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, Muscle & Nerve, and Ann Neurol; and has served on the board and various committees of the American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Society of Clinical Neurologists, and Medical Advisory Board of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. and has made presentations at the annual meetings and medical and scientific sessions of these and other various groups.
The staff of the Hendrick Education Department expressed that this presentation had one of the best attendance records of their CME programs. Of the 40 healthcare professionals attending, 34 were physicians and included 2 neurologists, 1 head and neck surgeon, 1 ear, nose and throat specialist, 2 oral surgeons, 1 pediatrician, 2 anesthetists, 1 cardiologist, 1 cardiovascular surgeon, 1 ophthalmologist, 6 internal medicine physicians including one pulmonary specialist and one critical care specialist, and 16 family physicians. Five of the family practice physicians are stationed at Dyess Air Force Base located in Abilene. The remaining 6 healthcare professional attending included several RNs and other hospital employees. We were extremely pleased to have such a diverse representation of the medical community in attendance. Hendrick Medical Center is accredited by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians and this program was designated as a Category I credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.
There were 22 chapter members attending the session and one local MG patient brought with her the RN that administers her IVIG treatments.
Click picture to enlarge - click "Back" on your browser to return to this page.
Chapter members in the above picture with Dr. Massey are: (l to r) Bob Bruce, Abilene; Bill Voss, Snyder; Jennie Morphew, Abilene; Charles Nelson, Abilene; Coleen Shinn, Lubbock; Dr. Massey; Lajuana Miller, Abilene; and Connell Taylor, Abilene.
The success of this CME has challenged our chapter to work diligently to fulfill that part of our mission which states that we are "to provide professional education" throughout our chapter area by sponsoring additional CME presentations during the coming years. We are so grateful for the excellent CME tool provided by the national foundation which, as promised, was waiting for us when we arrived home from the annual meeting in Las Vegas. This resource will greatly aid us in our mission to provide professional education.