HSP attendees come together for a photo at the hospital.

Apr 30, 2018 / Research & Innovation

The Hospital Hosts Family Conference on Pediatric Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis (HSP)

This past weekend, Scottish Rite Hospital hosted a family conference for patients diagnosed with pediatric hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). HSP is a neurological group of disorders causing lower extremity muscle spasticity, or increased tone, and weakness. Since establishing a clinic specific to this patient population in 2012, the hospital is one of the only institutions in the country to have an HSP clinic. 

The one day conference gathered families from around the United States including California, Washington, Utah, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Both parents and children attended to learn from various hospital experts and connect with other families. The meeting included presentations from different areas of expertise such as neurology, orthopedics, therapeutic recreation and research to provide families with a well-rounded educational program specific to HSP. 

Research neurology nurse, Linsley Smith, R.N., works closely with the hospital’s HSP patient population and helped to organize this family event. “The HSP family conference is a unique opportunity for the hospital to share its expertise with families from around the country,” says Smith. “Just like with any pediatric condition, it is helpful to have a community where parents and children feel comfortable disclosing their stresses and anxieties. It is rewarding to witness this collaboration to ultimately equip families with the resources they need to help care for a child diagnosed with HSP.” 

As an institution, we are proud to host such an impactful meeting. Whether our experts are educating fellow medical professionals or parents, it is this type of collaboration which allows the hospital to continue providing the best possible care to children, here and across the world. 

Learn more about the hospital's neurology services. 
 
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