Message From the President
Welcome to the Foundation of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers.
On behalf of the Board and staff of the Foundation of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis (FCMSC), I am delighted you have come to our website. The FCMSC scholarship and fellowship programs, programs that support the training of people who represent the workforce of the future, are among our most treasured endeavors. As the scientific knowledge about MS and its treatments become more and more complex, the challenges of training and providing opportunities to learn details of MS research and treatment of people with MS patients is increasing. The work of the FCMSC in this mission benefits people living with MS now and in the future while strongly supporting the overall mission of the CMSC and its members.
Our unique focus on building an expert MS “Workforce of the Future” continues the tireless efforts and commitment of members of the CMSC along with the entire MS health care community to improve the lives of our patients with MS. This community encompasses all disciplines involved in the care of persons with MS, as the CMSC is founded on the need for an expert multidisciplinary approach to this disease.
In addition to training, our programs expand opportunities for important pilot research initiatives, often in areas and disciplines that receive less attention from other organizations and funding sources. These pilot studies often lead to larger studies focused on answering important questions about MS.
The FCMSC is dependent upon organizational and individual contributions to support our work. We take pride in our efforts (some of which are listed here) and express our deepest thanks to our many supporters.
Please join us in celebrating the achievements of the FCMSC allowing us to support future programs. Explore the FCMSC through our website and read about the personal stories of those assisted by the Foundation. Please make your personal or corporate contribution to these important efforts.
Anne H Cross, MD
Chair, Board of Governors
Organization Profile
The Foundation of the CMSC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and its members. Since its founding in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Foundation has supported the CMSC in three principal, mission-driven projects:
- MS Workforce of the Future Driving mentored research scholarships and opportunities to improve patient care in the future;
- Tools for MS Professionals Today Providing annual awards and tools for CMSC members helping patients today;
- MS Research and Resources Offering Research Fellowships and awards, expansion of CMSC Pilot Research grants as well as growth of the CMSC Global MS Patient Registry.
Building the Future of MS Care
The Foundation of the CMSC supports the ultimate goal shared by patients and professionals alike: Finding a cure. Building the future of MS through access to comprehensive services and expert researchers now and in the future will ensure that the understanding and care of this complex disease continues to improve until a cure can be found.
Mission
The Foundation supports the mission of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and its members. Our belief is that the cure for MS starts here. Through the three key initiatives that we support, important and timely progress can be measured on multiple fronts simultaneously.
The CMSC is the only organization for MS healthcare professionals of all disciplines.
The Foundation of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (FCMSC) was founded in 1999 with the mission to stimulate the growth, development and provision of patient care services, education and research in the field of MS and to enhance the quality of life of those affected by MS through supporting the activities of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC).
The FCMSC mission focuses on three key areas:
- Driving mentored research scholarships and opportunities to improve patient care in the future;
- Providing annual awards, tools for CMSC member professionals helping patients today, including the organization of expert panel consensus groups;
- Offering Research Fellowships and awards, expansion of CMSC Pilot Research grant opportunities as well as growth of the CMSC Global MS Patient Registry.
Together with a professional organization of healthcare professionals across the U.S. and Canada reaching over 200,000 people with MS and their families, we promote the best and latest in care for multiple sclerosis.
About the CMSC
The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) mission is to be the preeminent professional organization for Multiple Sclerosis healthcare providers and researchers in North America, and a valued partner in the global MS community. Our core purpose is to maximize the ability of MS healthcare providers to impact care of people who are affected by MS, thus improving their quality of life.
The CMSC includes a network of more than 150 MS Member Centers, more than 50 Veterans Administration programs as well as several hundred individual members worldwide. No other professional association brings together as many disciplines with the sole purpose of caring for MS patients.
Comprehensive Care – 360° of Professional MS Resources
The CMSC espouses the model of comprehensive care, in which the patient takes an active and central role in his or her own healthcare. This is accomplished by establishing a plan of care developed carefully by a whole team of MS professionals: neurologists, nurses, rehabilitation professionals, psychologists and social workers, and other medical specialists. In the comprehensive care model, the patient’s whole health is considered, addressing physical, emotional, psychological, social and economic issues.
The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers meets annually to provide accredited continuing education for the multidisciplinary team and the discussion of emerging research and advances in the clinical care of multiple sclerosis. Over 1,800 healthcare professionals from the US, Canada, Latin American, Europe, and China met in Montreal, Canada in May 2011 to share new data and specialized training not readily available withing local media institutions. The CMSC reaches over 6,500 MS healthcare professionals with educational programs, publications and professional resource to benefit their patients.
Professional networking at the meeting allows trainees and newcomers to MS care to benefit from the expertise of seasoned healthcare professionals.
For more information about the CMSC, visit mscare.org.