Multiple Sclerosis Assessment Clinic
By: Scott Backofen, MPT Class of 2003
 

The Delaware Multiple Sclerosis Society in conjunction with the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Department has been sponsoring the Multiple Sclerosis Assessment Clinic for the past three years.  Coordinated by Ken Seaman, MA. PT, this service is provided to people who have Multiple Sclerosis and are members of the Delaware MS Society.  It provides them with a chance to obtain recommendations on their condition and discuss their questions and concerns with health care professionals

Today, patients enjoy evaluations by professionals in ten different disciplines: physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, energy expenditure, gait analysis, optometry, counseling, massage, DME and personal training.   These clinicians make appropriate recommendations for the patient and their doctors to further explore.  Ken Seaman, who recently won the Jefferson Award for outstanding volunteer services, has done an excellent job refining the MS clinic into the exceptional program we have today.  In the fall, second year MPT students ran the program under Ken’s direction and coordination, along with first year DPT students who volunteered to help and learn valuable skills from the older students.  In the spring, when the MPT students left for their rotations, the DPT students took over the show, with Dana Jenson and Becky O’Neill serving as the new student managers for the MS Assessment Clinic.