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News & Updates

Broward 2050: One Community Moving Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute at
Forward Together with Prosperity for All Holy Cross Hospital Selected as

New Mayor outlines future plans Healey ALS Platform Trial
New Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness is planning The Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute at Holy Cross Hospital has
for the next thirty years. By 2050, he envisions Broward been selected for the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial by the Sean
County as “one community moving forward together with M. Healey & AMG Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.
prosperity for all.” That’s his theme for the year ahead as a The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center, in collaboration with
plan is developed for the next 30 years, with goals that will the Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS), is launching the first
be well defined and outcomes measured. platform trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The goals
The 2050 plan identifies specific goals, including of this groundbreaking project are to greatly accelerate the
unemployment and household Income disparity, affordable timelines towards effective ALS treatments and provide greater
housing and Inequities in the criminal justice system. The trial access for all those affected by this disease.
Environment, healthcare, transportation round out the “Our patients have access to first class research and
categories included in the 2050 plan. leading-edge clinical trials and treatments at the Phil Smith
“I will be working on a plan “Broward 2050.” Too often as Neuroscience Institute through our expanded relationship
a community and as a nation we don't plan long term. We with Massachusetts General Hospital,” said Paul Papagni,
deal with the issues as they arise. We must take on these JD, executive director of research at Holy Cross Hospital.
issues, and together, build a plan not just to deal with the “The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial will begin in early 2020.”
crisis as it exists today but to build a plan for the future," The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is a collaborative effort and
said Holness. enrollment in the trial will be available at several sites

Mayor Holness was elected by the County Commission to across the U.S. to bring the trial close to people who want
serve as Mayor through November 2020. Commissioner to participate. All sites are part of the NEALS Consortium.
Steve Geller will serve as Vice Mayor.

Holness is the first Jamaican American to serve as Mayor on
the Broward County Commission. He was first elected in
2010 to represent residents living in Broward County's
District 9, which includes a population in excess of 200,000
residents and covers over eight municipalities in Broward
County. Prior to being elected as a Broward County
Commissioner, he served as a City of Lauderhill
Commissioner from 2004 to 2010. During his terms as a
Lauderhill City Commissioner, he served as Vice Mayor
twice in 2007 and 2010.
Holy Cross Hospital opened the Phil Smith Neuroscience
Institute and Phil Smith ALS and Movement Disorders Clinic
in 2018. More than 15 neuro physician specialists at the
Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute provide comprehensive
neurological and neurosurgical care for a variety of
conditions. The Institute meets the needs of patients living
with these diseases and conditions, providing support and
enhancing access to services and treatment. It is the only
specialized care for ALS patients in Broward and Palm
Beach counties.

For more information about the Phil Smith Neuroscience
Institute at Holy Cross and the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial,
call 954-229-8553 or email paul.papagni@holy-cross.com.

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