Dr. LaBarbera has been honored with a “4 Under 40” award for his exemplary leadership of the Rhode Island Hospital ALS Clinic. As a neurologist who specializes in clinical neurophysiology and neuromuscular disorders, Dr. LaBarbera applies his skills and compassion for patients through several roles. However, it is what he has done in his role as Medical Director of the Louise Wilcox ALS Clinic at Rhode Island Hospital that was brought to our attention as being particularly impressive.
Dr. LaBarbera took on the role of Director of the ALS Clinic last year after his predecessor retired. As one of two multidisciplinary ALS clinics in Rhode Island (the other run through the Providence VA Medical Center), the clinic is a critical resource for patients with ALS. It provides care including neurology, pulmonology, nursing, dietician, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other specialists – all in one comprehensive visit. In this clinic, Dr. LaBarbera sees patients who have been diagnosed with one of the most feared diseases in medicine, and he does so with great care and compassion. Running the clinic is a herculean undertaking for someone so early in their career, yet, Dr. LaBarbera has worked incredibly hard to not only continue the work of his predecessor but to bring cutting-edge advancements to ALS patients. He has helped ALS patients in Rhode Island access brand new drugs recently approved by the FDA to help improve survival; he has aided patients in identifying clinical trial opportunities; and he has brought a new focus to genetic testing for ALS. Outside of the ALS clinic, Dr. LaBarbera does EMG tests, sees patients with a range of other neurologic conditions, and co-directs the preclinical neuroscience course at the Brown Medical School.