Tom Tonniges, M.D., a well-known Nebraska physician who also has advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, will speak at noon today in the Durham Research Center Auditorium on “Putting Into Practice the Concept of the Medical Home: A Case Study Approach.”
His talk will center on the patient-centered medical home. In a medical home, patients experience more frequent encounters with teams of providers — even if the patients are not sick. They receive more education to improve health and the health care team closely monitors health outcomes.
Because of his advancing disease, this will likely be Dr. Tonniges’ last opportunity to teach. His presentation will include a panel of experts.
A native of Nebraska, Dr. Tonniges will communicate with the audience through a special device since he can no longer speak due to his disease.
Dr. Tonniges had five major complications while hospitalized that led to 14 extra hospital days. He believes the principles of the patient-centered medical home might have prevented some of these complications.
Carol Ott and Barb Long, who are nurses who knew Dr. Tonniges when they lived in Hastings, will perform a short skit (“good doc, bad doc”) that is intended to illustrate principles of the patient-centered medical home, with Dr. Tonniges as the patient.
At the end of the 50-minute presentation, a 10-minute video will be shown featuring Dr. Tonniges’ story. The video was produced for a ALS Association fundraiser.
Will this be recorded and made available for those unable to attend?
The recorded presentation will be posted early next week at http://www.unmc.edu/intmed/education/grandrounds/
I hope as many people as possible attend this. It will be a valuable, informative perspective from a brilliant physician! Dr. Tom and his family are passionate advocates for ALS research and awareness and UNMC is very fortunate to benefit from his knowledge and experience!
When is this and where
The talk took place Friday at noon, but the presentation ha sbeen videotaped and will be available later this week at http://www.unmc.edu/intmed/education/grandrounds/