The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter – which has an ALS Center at the Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune – has rebranded as ALS United Mid-Atlantic. 

According to a Nov. 16 announcement from the organization, the change took place following 15 chapters’ legal separation from The ALS Association on Sept. 1. The organization unveiled its new logo, branding, colors and mission statement during the ALS United Mid-Atlantic 2023 Annual Celebration Nov. 10. 

In a letter posted on the chapter website, Executive Director Jeffrey Cline further explained the move, saying, “In July 2021, the national Board of Trustees of the ALS Association voted to begin a process of merging all 34 independent chapters across the country into a single organization headquartered in Arlington, VA. That vote effectively called for the elimination of independent chapters like ours.” 

Cline added that the 15 chapters then initiated legal action in January to remain independent. “That litigation ended in June when the parties agreed to a resolution including our independence and enabling the Chapter’s Board of Directors to continue allocating our financial resources in a manner that best fulfills the needs of local patient families who rely on us for care,” he stated. 

Cline said the new name also more accurately reflects the region the chapter serves. 

The Jersey Shore University Medical Center facility is one of only two ALS Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence in New Jersey; the other is at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. A spokesperson for ALS United Mid-Atlantic told NJBIZ that the New Brunswick center is affiliated with ALS New York. 

Founded in 1977, ALS United Mid-Atlantic devotes more than half its budget to direct patient care. Its care programs include eight multidisciplinary ALS Treatment Centers; the Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program; The Marjorie Shimer Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program; The Mike Kilpatric ALS Transportation Program; The Scott A. Mackler, MD, PhD, Assistive Technology Program; The Accessibility Program; services for military veterans with ALS; educational webinars and videos; and virtual and in-person support groups.