About this Clinic
The Western Multiple Sclerosis Center was established in 1977 as one of the first comprehensive MS centers in the country. Dr. George Kraft became director of the Center in 1979. Under his leadership, the center quickly grew into one of the most highly respected MS centers, offering a wide range of rehabilitation services for patients with MS.
Dr. James Bowen joined the clinic in 1987 and became co-director in 1989. This extended neurology services to the clinic. The clinic expanded again in 1998 with a dramatic increase in the number of appointments available and the number of nursing staff dedicated solely to the care of MS patients.
Today, Dr. Sylvia Lucas is the co-director of the Western MS Center. She is the founder and director of the Headache Center and is clinical faculty in the Western MS Center. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Pharmacy, a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the Department of Physiology & Biophysics, and an MD from the School of Medicine.
The Center offers a full range of services to MS patients including diagnosis and treatment. Our staff is knowledgeable about disease treatments, rehabilitation treatments, and experimental treatments. Related services are available including neuro-imaging facilities, neurosurgery, urology, neuro-opthalmolgy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, psychiatry, social services, vocational services, and orthotics. The Center is a member of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and affiliated with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the MS Association of King County.