About the Program:

Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS in comparison to those who have not served in the military. Dr. Kvarnberg, Clinic Director of the ALS Interdisciplinary Clinic at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital will provide an overview of the link between military service and the approach that the VA takes in caring for veterans. Dr. Kvarnberg will discuss VA benefits available to those impacted by ALS, and share information about his clinic. This webinar will provide useful information to veterans with ALS and their caregivers wanting to know more about:

• Clinical care and everything ordered by a VA doctor or clinician
• Medications, supplies from pharmacy
• Home Health Care
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Hospice & Palliative Care
• Social Work
• Mental Health
• Durable Medical Equipment

About the Speakers:

Dr. Kvarnberg (left) and Robert Ives (right)

Dr. Kvarnberg received his medical degree from Rush University in 2003. As a medical student, he was the recipient of a Navy Health Professional Scholarship which led him to serve four years of active duty as a Navy physician and included two deployments to Iraq with the Marines. He then received his neurology residency and neuromuscular fellowship training at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has worked at the Hines VA Hospital since 2012 seeing veterans with general neurology complaints and complicated neuromuscular problems. He has been the Clinic Director of the Hines VA ALS Interdisciplinary clinic since he started it in 2013. The clinic sees approximately 12 patients per month in a weekly half-day of clinic. Since June 2021, he has accepted the role as the Acting Chief of the Neurology Service at Hines. In his free time, he is an avid hiker and regularly trains in aikido.

Robert Ives, a veteran living with ALS, was diagnosed in 2014. As an engineer and business owner, Bob never backed down from a challenge. His tenacity was formed as a young lieutenant in the Army during the building of the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both of these traits have served him well since his diagnosis. Bob and his wife, Mary, are active in our Chicago Support Group, and are dedicated donors to the Foundation’s Research and Support Services programs.

The webinar is a free, public service of the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

Register here