Oct. 8, 2014 | UAMS neurologist Lee Archer, M.D., and the team he leads in the clinical care of multiple sclerosis patients recently became the first group of medical professionals in Arkansas designated as a Partner in MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“I’m glad we can finally recognize you officially as a partner,” said Abby Young, a coordinator of programs and services for the National MS Society, South Central Region. “You have been one for years. The Partner in MS Care designation recognizes this group as a high-quality MS care organization offering comprehensive care for people living with MS.”

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.

To receive the recognition, Archer had to be board certified and have a certain number of hours of training and educational experience in MS care. His team also had to be a comprehensive care team focused solely on MS and include social workers as well as nurse practitioners devoted to helping MS patients.

Having the Partner in MS Care status means visits from a National MS Society representative twice a year to supply toolkits, new medical devices for training, research and care updates, and educational materials for patients.

Archer was finishing his residency in neurology many years ago when MS Society representatives asked him to consider MS care as a subspecialty because no physician in Arkansas specialized in it.

“The MS Society is the reason I do this now,” Archer said. “The patients are so nice and pleasant to work with. The families are an inspiration, so it’s something I look forward to doing. I don’t do it alone. We have a team of people here. It’s been a good relationship.”

Brooke Smith, National MS Society South Central Region senior manager of programs and services, said having Archer and his care team at UAMS is a huge asset and convenience to MS patients. It also is a fundraising advantage when working with donors who want to keep their donations for research in the state because of the MS research done at UAMS.

The society’s appreciation for Archer and his team wasn’t only related to research and clinical care. Both Smith and Young cited the personal connections between them and the society.

“When I first met Dr. Archer, I fell in love with his wealth of knowledge about multiple sclerosis and his ability to communicate it to everyone,” Young said. “I have seen the positive impact and dedication from Dr. Archer, and his commitment to the MS Society and his patients, especially enhancing their quality of life. I just want to thank him so much.”

An El Dorado native, Archer received his medical degree in 1982 and completed his residency in 1986, both at UAMS. He became a professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology in 2008 after serving in the department for many years as an associate and an assistant professor. He sees more than 1,400 MS patients annually.