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Stanley H. Appel, MD, World-Renowned ALS Researcher and Clinician, to Receive MDA Tribute Award Honoring 40 Years of Critical Contributions in Medicine
Dr. Appel is the MDA ALS Care Center Director at the first multi-disciplinary clinic for ALS patients in the US at Houston Methodist Hospital.
NEW YORK, NY—May 24, 2022 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) today announced that Dr. Stanley H. Appel will receive the MDA Tribute Award on June 2 in Houston, to acknowledge his extraordinary work in pioneering ALS research and care and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of what is now the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute's MDA ALS Research and Clinical Center in Houston. Established in 1982 by Dr. Appel, the center was the first multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to ALS patient care and research in the United States. In addition to serving as Director of the MDA ALS Research and Clinical Center and Emeritus MDA Board Member, Dr. Appel is the Director of the Ann Kimball and John W. Johnson Center for Cellular Therapeutics at Houston Methodist.
MDA will recognize Dr. Appel during its Tribute Tour celebrating local Houston champions, Care Centers, partners, volunteers, and families. As part of the Tribute Tour, MDA leadership will visit the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute's MDA ALS Research and Clinical Center in Houston in honor of its 40th anniversary, in addition to visits to thank the community of longstanding volunteers and partners. The MDA Tribute Award will be presented to Dr. Appel among the community he has served for 40 years. The MDA Tribute Tour commenced in the volunteer state of Tennessee prior to arriving in Houston and continues to St. Louis over Labor Day.
Dr. Appel has received at least 42 individual grant awards from MDA, including a current award to evaluate autologous T regulatory cells in a clinical trial for ALS. He was a member of the MDA Board of Directors from 1979 to 2019 and now serves as Emeritus MDA Board Member.
"Dr. Appel helped mold our organization into the number one voluntary health organization in the US for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. We celebrate Dr. Appel for his revolutionary research and his compassion for people living with ALS," said Donald S. Wood, PhD, President and CEO of MDA. "For over 70 years, MDA has led the way, investing over $173 million in innovations in ALS science and care, and it is largely thanks to Dr. Appel's invaluable service that we have made such inroads in research today."
An internationally renowned researcher and neurologist, Dr. Appel is dedicated to the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is one of the nation's foremost experts on the disease. He has spent more than 40 years devoted to understanding the human brain. Dr. Appel's laboratory focuses on developing new insights into ALS, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, and was the first to document regulatory T-lymphocytes modulate disease progression in ALS patients. His focus is on enhancing the protective immunity of T-reg cells and anti-inflammatory microglia in neurodegeneration.
The MDA Tribute Award will be presented to Dr. Appel on June 2, the same day Major League Baseball has proclaimed ‘Lou Gehrig Day’ in honor of the hall of famer who passed away from ALS. To learn more about MDA’s work in ALS from the experts, including Dr. Appel, view this video.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
