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Neurology and Neurosurgery

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinic

Founded in 1998, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic at Johns Hopkins is a globally recognized leader in ALS care, offering the latest in clinical trials and therapies to patients with ALS. We provide comprehensive medical care, support and education to patients and their families, from diagnosis to advanced stages of ALS. Our compassionate team of neuromuscular specialists uses available therapies, equipment, exercise, and nutritional and respiratory support to maximize your health and function. 

Our goal is to improve quality of life for patients and caregivers, as well as connect patients with opportunities to participate in basic and clinical research related to treatments, causes and mechanisms behind ALS.

On this page:

Our Team | What to Expect | Appointments & Referrals | Contact | Patient Resources

Request an Appointment

Patients requesting an appointment with the ALS Clinic need to have a confirmed diagnosis by a Johns Hopkins neurologist. We ask patients diagnosed by a physician outside of Johns Hopkins to be evaluated by a Johns Hopkins neurologist.

Learn more about appointments and referrals.

Patients diagnosed outside of Johns Hopkins:

Patients diagnosed at Johns Hopkins:

What to Expect When You Come to the ALS Clinic

Patients are evaluated by a Johns Hopkins neurologist in the Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center. These physicians are specially trained in neuromuscular diseases and disorders closely related to ALS.

Once diagnosis is confirmed by a neurologist, the ALS care team led by Lora L. Clawson, MSN, CRNP creates a care plan after a thorough assessment of your care needs by all team members. This plan may include a wide range of therapies and clinical services. The ALS Clinic collaborates with other teams across Johns Hopkins in areas of physical and occupational therapy, nutrition, speech and swallowing, as well as respiratory evaluations to offer you well-rounded care.

Our team also provides education on all aspects of ALS, including treatment options, our multi-specialty approach, neurological assessment, eligibility for clinical trials, and a personalized treatment plan. We offer knowledge and empowerment to help you and your family make the many necessary medical decisions during the course of the disease.

ALS Resources at Johns Hopkins

Our Team of ALS Specialists

Nurse Practitioner

Alpa Uchil, M.P.H., M.S.N., C.R.N.P.

Expertise: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig's Disease, Neurology
Alpa Uchil

Trekking to Everest Base Camp to Raise ALS Awareness

Our nurse practitioner Alpa Uchil is heading to Nepal in April-May 2023 to trek to the Everest Base Camp. What started as a vacation turned into a journey to raise awareness about ALS. Alpa was inspired by people living with ALS and their fortitude, perseverance, and endurance of a life of relentless change. "We take life for granted and we never know when life changes," she says. Alpa is sending all her love to her patients and will be thinking of them on her trek.

If you wish to donate to the Johns Hopkins ALS clinic, use the link below. Please select the ALS Clinic in the drop-down and under giving options, please designate your gift in honor of “Alpa’s Trek.” All proceeds go directly to the ALS clinic.

Donate online
Alpa Uchil standing on a mountain summit with forest in the background

ALS Research at Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins is one of the global leaders in research on how to stop ALS and prevent and repair its damage. The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins is the only institution of its kind dedicated solely to solving ALS. More than 100 scientists from Johns Hopkins, other universities, government labs and biotech companies work together, sharing insights and materials to understand the biology of ALS and to find cure.

Patient Resources

Support the ALS Clinic at Johns Hopkins

If you would like to contribute to our clinical trials and help us continue delivering the best neurological care, please consider donating. You can designate your gift to the ALS clinic.

Support ALS Care

Appointments and Referrals

appointment icon

When you call to schedule an appointment with the ALS Clinic, we may ask you for the following information:

  • Contact information (patient’s name, address, and phone numbers)
  • Insurance information (copy of the insurance card)
  • Relevant medical records, including clinic notes, lab results and/or reports, physical referral letter

You may submit medical records by mail or fax or call our office at 410-955-8511 for instructions on how to submit electronically. We will contact you once our team reviews the information. This process typically takes one week.

Referring physicians

Physicians can follow the same process to refer a patient. Johns Hopkins Access Line (HAL Line): 1-800-765-5447 is available 24/7 for physicians who need to consult a Johns Hopkins physician.

ALS Lecture Series

The ALS Clinical Trials Unit gathers experts across academia and industry to discuss the latest issues in ALS research and drug discovery.

View the lectures

Contact Us

The Johns Hopkins ALS Clinic
Department of Neurology
Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center
Room 5072
601 N. Caroline St., Baltimore, MD 21287
Fax: 410.614.7179
Phone: 410-955-8511