ELC Education Day 2025

ELC Education Day 2025 was a great success! The ELC Foundation hosted our annual educational event for patients with multiple sclerosis. The event included presentations by Dr. Joshua Katz and Dr. Andrew Bouley, a health fair, brunch and lively Q&A!

The ELC Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 supporting the needs of patients with multiple sclerosis through educational events and a financial assistance program. ELC Education Day 2025 was one of the many events supported by the foundation. The event was coordinated in collaboration with The Elliot Lewis Center.

This year’s ELC Education Day was an energizing and inspiring gathering for everyone touched by multiple sclerosis (MS). The program celebrated progress, shared new research, and offered practical advice—all focused on empowering patients and families to live better with MS.

The event began with an update from Marissa Shackleton on the ELC Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fill the gaps insurance doesn’t cover, including stairlifts, bathroom adaptations, mobility aids, therapy at home, and adaptive driving tools. Seeing how these programs directly change lives and promote independence reminded everyone why our program is so valuable. Attendees were encouraged to apply if needing assistance.

Marissa continued by highlighting The Elliot Lewis Center’s work and the importance of health insurance open enrollment. With open enrollment season upon us, she broke down how to evaluate plans, compare real annual costs (not just premiums), and make sure medications and infusions remain covered. Her clear, practical advice and up-to-date resources helped demystify what is often a confusing process.

Then Dr. Andrew Bouley gave an exceptionally clear and detailed presentation on aging and MS. He walked us through landmark studies like DISCOMS and DOT-MS, which explored when, if ever, it might be safe to stop or de-escalate disease-modifying therapy. His take-home message: while stability is reassuring, decisions about treatment changes must be individualized and guided by science. His balanced, evidence-based explanations made complex data easy to follow.

Dr. Joshua Katz closed with an engaging and memorable overview of emerging MS treatments, including BTK inhibitors, Frexalimab, Vidofludimus, intranasal Foralumab, CAR-T therapy, and even remyelination research with clemastine and metformin. Using his signature vivid analogies and clear visual explanations, Dr. Katz made cutting-edge science feel both understandable and exciting. He reminded us that each advance brings us closer to truly restoring function, not just preventing damage.

We also enjoyed a movement session led by Jean Feder-Ewell and KerryLee Moore from Connections Physical Therapy, proving that even small exercises, from shoulder rolls to ankle flexes, can lift energy, ease stiffness, and brighten mood.

As the day wrapped up, the mood was optimistic and connected—a room full of people learning, laughing, and leaning forward together toward a brighter future for MS care.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and supported this special day! Your presence made ELC Education Day 2025 both meaningful and unforgettable!