Our History Continued...News & Events of the Past

As these pages of our history clearly portray, the Northwest Texas Chapter for the past 55 years has been been "Striving for a World Without MG...beginning right here in Texas!"  

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MG Awareness Screenings

Following the closing of Hi-Plains Hospital in Hale Center, we had our 2002 "MG Awareness Screening" at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.  Board member, Greg Bruce became acquainted with the medical clinic while on assignment a few years earlier at Hi-Plains Hospital.  He found it interesting that this small hospital was holding a clinic for a disease he was aware of only because his grandmother had Myasthenia Gravis.  As an administrator of the University Medical Center (UMC), Greg paved the way for the Chapter and our first Melba Masters "MG Awareness Screening" was held on September 14, 2002, at UMC.  With new medical laws and regulations, the Board felt the change of name was more appropriate.

2002 MG Awareness Screening

The Northwest Texas Chapter is very grateful for the warm welcome we received from UMC and for the use of the Outpatient Pavilion for the 2002 clinic. The lobby provided a comfortable area in which to receive the patients as they arrived and allowed the space needed for patients to gather in groups to visit with each other and chapter board members providing a support group atmosphere for the patients as they waited to see the physicians. The exam rooms were very accessible to the lobby area as was the McInturff Conference Center where the "Lunch and Learn" session was held.

Drs. Sharon Nations and Dr. Jaya Trivedi of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas were visiting Clinicians for our Clinic.  It was a privilege to have Dr. Nations and Dr. Trivedi share their vast MG experience and knowledge with our local patients. Myasthenia Gravis patients need to be educated on MG in order to better cope and manage their disease. To provide this education process to the patients of the Northwest Texas Chapter, we included a “Lunch and Learn” session during the clinic. An excellent lunch was served by UMC to approximately 94 persons attending the clinic. All who attended the "Lunch and Learn" session expressed how helpful Dr. Nations’ presentation was in giving them a greater understanding of Myasthenia Gravis.

We were also privileged to have local neurologist, Dr. Dihenia, Medical Advisor to the Northwest Texas Chapter, and 4 members of his staff to assist with our clinic this year. Drs. Nations and Trivedi both praised the services provided by this group of professionals.

With Dr. Dihenia's assistance, 42 patients were seen during the clinic including 6 walk-in patients who had read about the clinic in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal on Thursday. Read this article online. Three (3) additional patients had appointments but were unable to attend the clinic. There were patients from Lubbock and surrounding towns including Abernathy, Amarillo, Amherst, Brownfield, Hale Center, Hereford, Levelland, Littlefield, Lockney, Seminole, Slaton, Stinnett, and Whitharrel. There were also patients from Abilene, Boerne, El Paso, Midland, and Waka, Texas; Clovis, New Mexico, and Raydon, Oklahoma.

A number of patients who attended our screening were diagnosed with "probable MG" and will follow up with Dr. Nations, Dr. Dihenia, or a neurologist in their local town for more extensive MG diagnostic tests. It was determined that 5 of the patients who came seeking a diagnosis did not have MG. Those patients expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to rule out MG and move on with their quest of finding a diagnosis. They were very impressed with the screening and also stated they would refer anyone they might come in contact with in the future who were experiencing MG symptoms to the Chapter for help.

This was a very successful event which not only led to several being diagnosed with MG but also resulted in a wealth of MG awareness being promoted throughout the chapter area. Through the promotion of the clinic several young persons under 25 with MG were located in our chapter area. This has motivated the Chapter to provide even greater services directed more specific to children and younger persons with MG and to search more diligently for those in this age group in our area who may not yet be diagnosed.

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National Foundation Focus

NWTC Featured in Foundation Focus

  • NWTC Celebrates 40 Years of Free MG Clinics - Fall 2001
  •  NWTC hosts a CME entitled "Clinical Features of Myasthenia Gravis" - Spring 2002
  • NWTC listed as having the oldest charter - Spring 2002
  • NWTC held their 3rd annual Walk-a-thon - Fall 2002

View all of these articles HERE

 


2003 - 2006 MG Awareness Screenings

Dr. Sharon NationsThe 2003 Melba Masters Memorial MG Screening was held September 13, 2003.  Dr. Sharon Nations and Dr. Jaya Trivedi of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Were Visiting Clinicians for this Clinic held at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Those attending the Clinic heard an excellent presentation on Myasthenia Gravis given by Sharon P. Nations, MD.  A total of 21 patients, 9 of whom were new patients to the screening, were seen by the doctors.  Though fewer patients were seen than in 2002, those who were seen had more time available with the doctors.

The 2004 Melba “Bandy” Masters Memorial Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Screening was held at the Southwest Cancer Center, Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, September 18, 2004.  Dr. Sharon Nations and Dr. Jaya Trivedi of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Were visiting clinicians for our MG Screening. It was a privilege to have Dr. Sharon Nations and Dr. Jaya Trivedi return this year to conduct our MG Awareness Screening. Staff members of Dr. Bhupesh Dihenia, who serves on the Northwest Texas Chapter Medical Advisory Board, participated in our screening once again. The services provided by this group of professionals greatly contributed to the success of this year's screening.  Myasthenia Gravis patients need to be educated on MG in order to better cope and manage their disease. To provide this education to the patients of the Northwest Texas Chapter, we included a “lunch and learn” session. All in attendance were able to learn about MG symptoms, diagnosis, and current treatment in Dr. Nations’ presentation during the luncheon.

Note: The Northwest Texas Chapter provides services to a large portion of Texas. In order to better serve all MG patients in our Chapter area, the Board voted to alternate the Annual MG Awareness Screening between the Lubbock location and an El Paso Location. 

MG Awareness Screening Held September 17, 2005 in El Paso, Texas.  Sharon P. Nations, MD & Jaya R. Trivedi, MD of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas who were the visiting clinicians. The first MG Awareness Screening in El Paso was a huge success. The Chapter is so thankful to Dr. Nations and Dr. Trivedi for traveling way out "west" to conduct this event. These two dedicated doctors saw 21 patients of which 5 were diagnosed as definite MG, 2 as probable MG, 2 as not having MG, and 12 who were follow-up MG patients.

A word of congratulations goes to the El Paso Support Group leaders, Jay and Myrna Rasmussen, and all of the other members of the group for their role in making this Awareness Screening a success.

REPORT ON 1ST ANNUAL AWARENESS-SCREENING EL PASO, TX   The following is a brief summary of the wonderful experience Sept 16th, 17th, and 18th as the NWTC sponsored our lst awareness-screening "out of our comfort zone".

CONGRATULATIONS to the FANTASTIC SUPPORT GROUP in El Paso, under the leadership of Jay & Myrna Rasmussen, we had a great Awareness-Screening, seeing 21 patients. We had patients from Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Lubbock, and the El Paso area. As with most new "adventures" we were a little apprehensive. This is the first time we have ventured off the South Plains of West Texas. The morning of Sept 16th, Lowell & Margaret McBroom, made their first stop to pick up Patsy Colquitt, and then to drop by and pick up me, and we headed for Levelland to pick up Marvin & Jimmi Burnett. The journey to El Paso has begun. Lowell was the designated driver, poor fellow, 5 "back-seat drivers". He is a great chauffeur. and good sport. Just imagine 2 "mature men" and 4 "mature women". Need I say more!!!!!!!

Dr. Sharon Nations, MD and Dr. Jaya R. Trivedi, MD were our guest clinicians from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. They are both Neuro-Muscular specialists. The first appointment was 8:00 am Saturday 17th, and we were booked solid until 2:00. The doctors had to leave to catch their flight back to Dallas. They saw 21 patients, and 5 were diagnosed as MG, 2 probable MG, 2 as not having MG, and 12 were follow up patients of the doctors.

After the luncheon, provided by "Leo's" (excellent food) the doctors spoke and then we had a question and answer session. Luncheon was sponsored by Accredo, and we are very thankful for the knowledge that was provided for all attending. Special thanks to Dee Robertson and "Robert". ARJ Infusion Services were also in attendance and a sponsor. Representatives Katie and Tinsey Giregg were available to assist patients and families. As we are all aware, "MG patients have millions of questions". We do appreciate our sponsors and their knowledge. Thanks for the hospitality of Los Palomos Medical Center.

THANK YOU MYRNA & JAY. Your many years of dedication and hard work to get the El Paso group organized and provide support and information is greatly appreciated. Thank you for the many fund raisers you have organized and the MG patients you have "touched". Thank you Liz, Mitch & Lisa, and an especially heartfelt thank you to the nurses. A heartfelt http://www.nwtcmg.org/donations through the years that helped to make this MG Awareness Screening possible. God Bless each of you.

Sunday AM, Our navigator Marvin, and Lowell, thought we should take a different route home. Excellent idea, not as much traffic as I-10. Trip was very enjoyable, and worth all the "fatigue".

As chairperson of the NWTC I must take the time to tell each board member what a pleasure it is to have the opportunity to work with each of you. I appreciate the time and support "we" give to one another. This trip of "6" board members was truly an enjoyable 3 days of great fellowship and I treasure each moment.

Thank you, Coleen

 

Dr. Jaya Trivedi2006 Melba "Bandy" Masters Memorial Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Screening Was Held Saturday, September 16, 2006 in Lubbock, Texas.   Jaya R. Trivedi, MD University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas was the visiting clinician for our screening. Dr. Trivedi presented the program for the Lunch and Learn Segment of the day. Her presentation include basic facts on MG and updates on new medications and research.

Attendance this year was down over past years. The extensive amount of MG information available on the internet and the more mobile society of today makes it possible for patients to travel to Dallas for treatment seem to be a likely explanation. The board voted not to host the awareness-screening the next year. It was determined that we will have our annual meeting which has been held in conjunction with the screening will instead be held following the support group meeting to be held in September each year.

 

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