Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune illness affecting the central nervous system. Patients with MS require specialized attention to their medical, social and psychological needs that only a comprehensive center can provide.

The Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Program at the Shands Jacksonville Neuroscience Institute—recognized by the north Florida chapter of the MS Society as the only center of excellence in north Florida—provides compassionate care that involves a team approach of medical specialists, all working together to provide MS patients with the highest quality of care and resources for the best possible outcome.

The program offers a one-stop-shopping approach to aggressively treating MS patients with resources such as:

• Expertise to develop the best treatment plan tailored to each patient's individual needs
• Expertise and technology of an academic medical center in using the latest in MS treatment and research
• Comprehensive and coordinated services - including physical, occupational and speech therapies, social services and psychological testing/counseling
• A dedicated MS research team of University of Florida physicians and residents, working to offer you the most promising and cutting edge MS treatments, available only in clinical trials
• Clinical trials
• A dedicated MS nurse practitioner to answer questions and implement treatment plans
• A dedicated social worker to coordinate outside services, emotional adjustment, and counseling, including pastoral support if requested
• Patient education
• Physician-led support groups for a variety of MS patients and their families including newly diagnosed, teens and young adults and young professionals
• Extending diagnostic possibilities to include other neuro-immunological diseases
• Second opinion service