Meet Two New Faces at the ALS Clinics

Dr. Priyadarshini

Shubadra Priyadarshini, MD, is a board-certified neurologist specializing in neuromuscular medicine who recently joined the University of Chicago ALS clinic.

Dr. Priyadarshini’s practice primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating neurological disorders like ALS that impact muscles and nerves, helping her patients improve their functional abilities and
quality of life.

Where did you complete your medical training? I completed medical school at University of Michigan. I then moved to Chicago and completed my Neurology residency and Neuromuscular fellowship at Northwestern University.

What got you interested in neurology, and in neuromuscular disease in particular? I became interested in Neurology during medical school, because it is a field dedicated to diagnosing and treating some of the most meaningful symptoms that can have an enormous impact on a person’s quality of life. Whether it’s weakness, memory changes, or difficulty with language, a neurologist can properly diagnose and help manage this wide array. Neuromuscular, in particular, has a diverse range of diseases, many of which have new effective treatments. I also became interested in performing EMGs, which is a specialized procedure physicians can do to help diagnose neuromuscular conditions.

What is your approach to patient care? My goal is to educate my patients and their care-givers, so that together, we can make the most informed decisions both for their disease-modifying treatment and their quality of life. We recognize that every patient and family have unique perspectives, and I would like to help patients make medical decisions that best fit their individual needs.

What are your goals for the UChicago Medicine ALS clinic and team? ALS is a difficult disease with broad implications for patients and their families. My goal is to address not just the neurologic aspects of care, but ensure patients have resources for the many other issues that can arise and to be proactive in addressing them. It is also important to me that patients have access to the most current and up-to-date treatments and research possible. The landscape of ALS is changing, and I will advocate for our patients to be part of that change to the best of our ability.

Dr. Gutgsell

Dr. Olivia Gutgsell joined the ALS clinic team at the Rush University Medical Center in 2023.
By way of introduction, we asked Dr. Gutgsell to tell us a little bit about herself.
Dr. Gutgsell is a distinguished neurologist specializing in neuromuscular medicine at RUSH University Medical Group. Dr. Gutgsell is committed to delivering comprehensive and compassionate care to her patients.

Where did you complete your medical training? I completed medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL, followed by neurology residency and neuromuscular medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

What got you interested in neurology, and in neuromuscular disease in particular? It’s such an exciting time to be a neurologist – imaging, biomarkers, and treatments are evolving at breakneck speed. Within neuromuscular disease, I see patients with autoimmune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative conditions and perform EMGs. I enjoy the variety and creativity involved in the evaluation and treatment of neuromuscular patients. Some neuromuscular diseases are classically “misunderstood” within the neurological community, and I find it important to serve these patients.

What is your approach to patient care? My focus is on restoring the patient’s dignity, autonomy, and function if possible. I enjoy seeing patients longitudinally and partnering with patients over the course of their illness.

How has it been to join the Rush ALS clinic? What have you enjoyed so far? Rush ALS Clinic has been great so far! The team is very cohesive and works well together. There is a real sense of pride in our patient care.