WELCOME!
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan invites you to attend the 2024 Annual Patient Education Conference—now in-person and virtual. The conference will be held over five hours on one day—Saturday, October 5, 2024.
You will hear from three Michigan physicians who serve the MG community. They will discuss the latest treatment approaches and advances in research.
You can participate in a Coping with MG panel discussion with a licensed social worker and occupational therapist.
This is also an opportunity to learn more from our all-important sponsors who provide treatment options for those with myasthenia gravis and other neuromuscular disorders.
Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In-person: MHSAA Building, 1661 Ramblewood Dr., E. Lansing, MI
Registration fee is $10 per person and includes a box lunch. ($30 maximum for families up to 6 persons)
9:00 a.m. Check in and meet our sponsors
9:55 a.m. Welcome
10:00 a.m. Rosemarie Walch, D.O. Your Physician’s Role in Helping You Advocate for Yourself
11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion Coping with MG with Emily Vliek & Aimee Smithem
NOON Break & Box Lunch: A great time to visit our sponsors!
12:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
1:00 p.m. Alan Salgado, M.D. Know Your Antibody Status
2:00 p.m. Amit Sachdev, M.D. Research Updates
3:00 p.m. Closing
Amit Sachdev, M.D. Dr. Sachdev is a nationally recognized neuromuscular medicine expert with a special interest in peripheral neuroimmunology. Principal investigator on many clinical trials, most notably in myasthenia gravis. Acclaimed speaker with 100+ media appearances in print, TV and radio. Senior physician executive with experience in patient access and experience, team communication and feedback, quality care delivery and care team design. Masters level engineer with the ability to visualize and diagram complex pathways to identify inefficiencies and reveal barriers. Dr. Sachdev is the Associate Chief Medical Officer, MSU HealthCare; Medical Director, Department of Neurology; Assistant Professor, Neuromuscular Medicine, Dept. of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Michigan State University. Dr. Sachdev has received the 2021 Notable Rising Star in Health Care Leadership Award, Crain’s Detroit Business; and the 2017 Physician of the Year, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan.
Alan D. Salgado, M.D. Dr. Salgado is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology in the University of Michigan Medical School. He grew up in Gainesville, Florida. Dr. Sagado graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 2011. Prior to attending medical school, he completed a postbaccalaureate research training fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. In 2016 he graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed a preliminary medicine internship at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, followed by neurology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He further completed a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine and EMG at Duke University Medical Center. He joined the neurology faculty at the University of Michigan in 2022.
Rosemarie Walch, D.O. Dr. Walch is board-certified in neurology and earned her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her fellowship training in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at the University of Cincinnati/UC Health at the prestigious Waddell Center for Multiple Sclerosis. Prior to joining Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neuroscience, Dr. Walch worked at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders in Farmington Hills, MI. and taught at for the William Beaumont School of Medicine/Oakland University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Emily Vliek, LMSW Emily is a Licensed Master Social Worker who helps people navigating life’s transitions find the tools and strength to overcome difficulties, and build their coping abilities and resilience. Her experience includes home-based care, clinic settings, and providing support to people with chronic illness. She currently provides clinical social worker services at Therapy Today in East Lansing.
Aimee Smithem, OTL Aimee is a licensed Occupational Therapist with years of experience helping children and adults overcome physical and mental health challenges in order to live their best lives. She has expertise in geriatric care and a passion for helping people “work smarter, not harder” by adapting behaviors, environments, clothing and activities in order to complete everyday tasks easier and more efficiently and have energy left over to do the things they enjoy in life. Her career is guided by her personal experience with living with Myasthenia Gravis since childhood and she uses her experience to encourage others to see that their physical limitations can be overcome through acceptance, coping and mindset, and adapting to life’s changes.
