UC Davis Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic

Message from the Director

The UC Davis Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic is run by the UC Davis Department of PM&R and Neurology and it was founded in 2009.

Our mission is to provide the best possible care for people living with ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's or motor neuron disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, affecting motor nerves that control muscle function. The loss of motor nerves results in weakness and wasting of muscles through out the body. Today, we can not cure ALS but we can treat it.

Our team consists of experts from several departments. Together, we provide patient-centered compassionate care.

Clinic Director, Assistant Professor              Björn Oskarsson, MD    

Co-Director, Assistant Professor                  Nanette Joyce, DO         

Professor Emeritus, pulmonary                    William Bonekat, DO      

ALS Nurse                                                         Mandy Walker, RN

ALS Clinic Coordinator                                   Michelle Cregan, CRA

ALS Social Worker                                           Holly Bleasdale, LCSW

ALS Psychologist                                             Debra Fishman, PsyD

ALS Physical Therapist                                   Linda Johnson, PT

ALS Occupational Therapist                          Terri Hayward, OT

Senior Medical Speech Pathologist             Matt Osecheck, MA, CCC-SLP

ALS Dietitian                                                     Marlia M. Braun, PhD, RD, CSSD

ALS Research coordinators                          Roxana Hupcey, Steffany Lim,

                                                                            Michelle Cregan, CRA

The UC Davis Medical Center, a 645-bed teaching hospital, offers excellent inpatient neurology and PM&R services, pulmonology, interventional radiology, ENT, and palliative care/ hospice services. These integrated resources allow us to provide comprehensive care to meet our patient's needs. In addition, we believe the local ALS community provides critical support for our patients and their famiies, and our clinic facilitates these relationships by involving representatives from the regional ALS patient advocacy organizations.  Finally, our patients and their families are a vital part of our team in the  fight against ALS. 

"The ALS clinic has provided us with incredible care, information and support. Our journey is difficult, but knowing the clinic is there, to help in any way, is assuring and lightens the load."

 Stacey and Patricia Howe, Pollock Pines CA

 "When my father was diagnosed with ALS, our family worked to find a physician specialist that could meet his needs. We chose Dr. Oskarsson at the ALS clinic at UC Davis in Sacramento, and we know we made the right decision. Even though we were at a distance, Dr. Oskarsson kept in contact with my father's care team which was based in our home town, in Chico. He was also available by phone when we needed him. He listened to my father's concerns and concerns of me and my brother. And most importantly, the UC Davis team honored my father's wishes."

 Norae Ferrara, Chico CA

Search for Current ALS Research Trials (NEALS Consortium)

NINDS ALS Information Page  

ALS Research Group

fALS Connect

ALS Association Greater Sacramento Chapter

The Muscular Dystrophy Association

CDC - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Enroll in the National ALS Registry