Clinical Psychologist to Discuss Degenerative Diseases

A Laramie psychologist will speak in a seminar series focusing on ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Berry Center auditorium.

Martha Schilling will discuss behavioral health aspects of degenerative diseases with symptoms similar to ALS, and the effect on patients and their loved ones. Peter H. Hegg, a member of the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain chapter of the ALS association, also will speak at Thursday’s seminar.

The seminar series was organized by UW’s CHAP (Community Health Advancement Program) in response to the popularity of the ALS ice bucket challenge. The goal is to help students and others interested in the topic to gain a better understanding of what the disease is about and its effects on the patients and their loved ones.

The seminar series concludes Wednesday, Nov. 19, with Suzanne Schrag from the Rocky Mountain ALS Association, and UW’s Collette Kuhfus (family member of an ALS patient). For session details, visit www.uwyo.edu/ahec/chap/a.l.sseminar2014.html.

CHAP encourages students interested in health care professions by coordinating student volunteers to get involved in community volunteering and activism projects. CHAP also hosts seminars and video series on different topics relating to health care.

For more information, visit the CHAP website at www.uwyo.edu/ahec/chap/, email ntugwell@uwyo.edu or call (307) 766-4908.