Center of Excellence: UC San Diego Health
University of California San Diego Health has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Rare Neuroimmune Disorders (CERND) by SRNA, recognizing their ability to provide comprehensive care in treating people diagnosed with ADEM, AFM, MOGAD, NMOSD, ON, and TM.
SRNA’s goal in establishing Centers of Excellence is to deliver clinical care, advance research to better understand rare neuroimmune disorders and develop more effective acute therapies and symptom management strategies. It currently partners with the clinicians at 17 Centers of Excellence in the US and Europe.
Centers within the CERND network provide coordinated care for all aspects of a rare neuroimmune diagnosis and long-term treatment plan. In joining this network, the Neurological Institute at UC San Diego Health provides groundbreaking treatments, therapies and diagnostic techniques and is ranked among the top 25 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.
CERNDs are led by specialists at the forefront of research and treatment for rare neuroimmune disorders. The Center at UC San Diego Health is directed by Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD Neurologist, Professor of Neurosciences, Vice Chair of Human Clinical Research and Division Chief, Neuroimmunology.
In a recent SRNA Community to Clinic podcast, Krissy Dilger, SRNA Research and Program Manager, interviewed Dr. Graves about the multidisciplinary approach of her clinic and the importance of holistic care for patients with rare neuroimmune diseases.
Outlining the goals of the CERND, Dr. Graves explained, “We are here to take care of the whole patient, all aspects of living with the disease, and we’re here to research so that we can put ourselves out of business and try to cure these diseases.”
“We at SRNA are grateful for clinics and physicians like yourself who specialize in these disorders and really are dedicated to the people who need you most,” remarked Krissy.
In looking toward the future of neuroimmune disorders, Dr. Graves remarked “Something that gives me hope is the current momentum we have on the scientific side. When I first started medical school, the majority of these disorders had no treatment and some of these disorders hadn’t even been identified or named. So, just in the course of my career, I have seen a blossoming of treatments that have high efficacy against these disorders.”
Dr. Graves added, “I have a lot of faith in our community, our patients, our providers, and our researchers that working together we will make a huge difference for people living with these diseases.”
The full podcast can be heard on the SRNA Spotify channel or on YouTube.
