Committed to Compassionate Care and Cutting-Edge Research for People with ALS.
Our story begins in 2001, when Christopher Hobler was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — the same disease that took his grandfather’s life. Then at the height of a successful musical career, the 35-year-old father of three was determined to create something positive from his situation. He decided to take active steps to fight ALS and help others because, as he put it, “Happiness, purpose and contentment come from between your ears, not from circumstances that surround you.”
Chris formed ALS Hope – The Chris Hobler/James Maritz Foundation to fund innovative research and inspire scientific collaboration toward finding a cure. Two years later, the Foundation partnered with the Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine to establish a center for translational research.
Though Chris lost his battle with ALS in 2005, his family continued his devotion to the cure, generously funding the Christopher Wells Hobler Laboratory for ALS Research.
Hobler Laboratory Director and leading ALS researcher Timothy Miller, MD, PhD understood that ALS patients benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach to research and care. He also knew that Washington University in St. Louis — recognized as one of the best graduate schools in the field of medicine — was an ideal location to recruit the finest minds in contemporary science and medicine.
Dr. Miller led the effort to obtain funding and create the ALS Center, a place where patients could access cutting-edge clinical trials, obtain high-quality care, and benefit from comprehensive services and support.
In 2021, Dr. Bucelli joined Dr. Miller as co-director of the ALS Center and together they have extended the Center’s expertise in the clinical treatment of ALS as well as expanded the number of clinical trial opportunities available for ALS patients.
“We greatly value our clinical trial participants and are deeply appreciative of their commitment to helping us find a cure for ALS.”
Dr. Timothy Miller, Co-Director
Today, Dr. Miller, Dr. Bucelli and the rest of the team at the ALS Center are dedicated to better understanding neurodegenerative diseases in order to develop effective, safe treatments. Along with clinical trials and studies, the Miller Lab is known for innovative translational research that leads to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
At the Center’s heart: a commitment to helping patients maintain their independence and quality of life by providing optimal care, all while continuing the search for a cure.