New York TM Support Group: Meeting with Dr. Julius Birnbaum
Pamela Schechter
Littleprincess900@hotmail.com

The NY Support Group was started through my efforts to have the New York State Legislature declare “Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day” so as to promote public recognition of TM.  Fortunately, and with the help of Assemblyman McLaughlin of the State Legislature, these efforts were rewarded and the resolution/proclamation was passed by the Legislature.  June 6, 1999 was designated TM Awareness Day.

On Sunday, June 29th, 2008 the principal speaker at our luncheon and support group meeting was Dr. Julius Birnbaum.  We were joined by the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation, New York City Support Group. The inclusion of this group at our meeting was related to the neurological symptoms that can develop with this disease (i.e., transverse myelitis).

Dr. Julius Birnbaum has worked with Dr. Douglas Kerr at the Johns Hopkins Transverse Myelitis Center.  Dr. Birnbaum has focused on the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients with rheumatic syndromes and inflammatory neurologic disease.  No other clinic in the country is exclusively devoted towards managing neuroimmunologic complications in patients with rheumatic disease.  Dr. Birnbaum received his MD from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency in Neurology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.  Dr. Birnbaum recently completed a Rheumatology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Dr. Birnbaum discussed the diagnosis and care of patients with neurological disease occurring secondary to rheumatic diseases, such as Lupus and Sjogren's Syndrome; although, attacks of optic neuritis and TM can be associated with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as rheumatoid diseases.  Dr. Birnbaum was interested in talking to people in the support group who have co-existing rheumatoid diseases and MS with neurological complications, as well as transverse myelitis.  A question and answer period followed his presentation.