M. L. Del Bene, MS, RN, NP-P As with the new additions to the medical staff here at the ALS Center as described by Dr. Mitsumoto, the clinical team is also undergoing exciting changes. As many of you know Anne Clark our physical therapist for the past 2 years has moved to Chicago and is soon to become a mother again for the 3rd time. We are all very thankful to Anne for her dedication and time at the Center and wish she and her family the best in their new endeavors. Ms. Jacqueline Montes, PT will be joining the ALS Center in mid March as the physical therapist and rehabilitation specialist. Ms. Montes comes to us from the Department of Rehabilitation at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center where she was a treating therapist and supervisor. Ms. Montes is pursuing a Masters degree in Motor Learning and motor control at Columbia University. She has met many of you thus far and we extend her a warm welcome! In preparation for Dr. Gordon’s arrival in April the research staff at the Center has been busy initiating the multi-center clinical trial of Minocycline — to be launched in Summer 2003. A main part of this activity is that Columbia will be the Minocycline Coordinating Center. Ms. Nayra Gad (senior research assistant) is now the Project Coordinator for the overall study. We congratulate Ms. Gad on her new position and will miss her in ALS Clinic and on other clinical research projects at the Center. In order to maintain the highest quality of clinical research support, Ms. Vanessa Battista has joined the ALS Center as a Research Assistant. Ms. Battista will be responsible for the daily activities related to the current clinical research trials at the Center. Change is not always easy — but if we can look to the future with hope and optimism for better treatment options we know it is all worth the effort.