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VITAL FACES THE DOCTOR IS IN Dr. Nancy Klimas offers her expertise and healing touch Words by Marla E. Schwartz One of the world's most renowned Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), and Gulf War Syndrome (GFS) clinicians and researchers lives and works in our backyard. Miami's Dr. Nancy Klimas's easy- going style, along with her efforts to expand our knowledge and understanding of these disorders makes her a champion to patients who endure living with illnesses that many people, including physicians, continue to acknowledge aren't real. Dr. Klimas, on the other hand, recognizes the severity of these conditions and with more than 20 years in the field of Immunology at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine she has now opened her own center. "It was time to branch out, expand the practice, train more doctors and reach more patients," she said. Indeed, before she opened the Chronic Fatigue & Immune Disorders Research and Treatment Center, she had over 350 patients and a very long waiting list. Additionally, the majority of people who come for medical help in treating NeuroEndocrineImmune disorders are primarily women. "As a feminist, I was very upset with the way these doctors demeaned these women by saying the most patronizing things to them," she explained. "Every week I hear stories that just are shameful," said Dr Klimas, who was recently honored by the National Organization of Women - NOW - June 24- 26, 2011 Conference in Orlando. "We welcome people to our clinic where they will receive an extensive assessment with a customized treatment plan," Dr. Klimas stated. As Chief Medical Officer, she has a team of experts using the latest scientific breakthroughs in therapeutics to provide comprehensive diagnostics and treatment plans for patients. Dr. Klimas recently participated in the National Institute of Health's State of Science Knowledge Workshop on CFS/ME in Bethesda, Maryland. This two Marly Silverman MIAMI LIVING 35 either present or mentioned as being at the forefront of cutting-edge techniques to offer hope to the NEIDS patient community. Although it seems that with the motto/code of honor in place, all physicians should offer their patients courtesy and respect. Unfortunately, this isn't true in treating individuals seeking help in this situation. In order to support the few doctors who are helping the cause, it's up to patient advocates to provide assistance in turning the progressive few into the enlightened majority. One such patient advocate is Dr. Nancy Klimas day event brought together specialists in the field working independently to improve the deplorable situation patient's face when looking for proper health care. Dr. Klimas, along with many other physicians, such as Dr. A. Martin Lerner, Dr. Paul Cheney, Dr. Jose Montoya, Dr. Charles Lapp, Dr. Lucinda Bateman, Dr. Kenneth Friedman, Dr. Broderick Gordon, Dr. Dennis Mangan, and Dr. Andreas Kogelnick are all physicians and researchers who were Marly Silverman, a long-time Dr. Klimas patient and Founder of P.A.N.D.O.R.A, Inc. – Patient Alliance for NeuroEndocrineImmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy, Inc., which is dedicated to restoring the quality of life for individuals with NeuroEndocrineImmune diseases. This born leader once held a high-powered job and now lives with the devastating effects of a disease that has significantly changed the course and quality of her life. She bravely testified in front of the CFS Advisory Committee discussing "Funding Matters." She was only allowed five minutes to deliver her testimony. "The message I conveyed was that we are no longer invisible. I'm here reminding you of this fact," Marly said. "The reality is until someone walks in someone else's shoes, (by the way, PANDORA's official walkathon is WalkInMyShoes"!) one cannot one hundred percent express that he or she is the absolute holder of the truth." Chronic Fatigue & Immune Disorders Research and Treatment Center 8720 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 108, Miami, FL 33176. 305-595-4300 Email: info@cfsclinic.com. For more information on P.A.N.D.O.R.A, Inc. go to: p-a-n-d-o-r-a.org Twitter: @pandora.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PANDORAORG ML