[BobbyB]

Prominent ALS Researcher To Leave UW Hospital
Brooks To Leave In February

UPDATED: 2:37 pm CST January 3, 2008


MADISON, Wis. -- Pre-eminent ALS researcher and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics doctor Benjamin Brooks is leaving the hospital after 25 years of work.

He told WISC-TV he is headed to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., where he will be able to concentrate on researching ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

He will leave University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics sometime in the middle of February, WISC-TV reported.

Past and current patients and others in the ALS field rallied behind him in 2004 after UW Medical School officials closed Brooks' ALS research lab in early 2003, alleging bookkeeping and training problems with testing procedures.

Patients still upset about the organizational politics said they will miss Brooks greatly and that his departure is a tremendous loss for them and the university. Brooks leaves behind hundreds of patients.

Brooks said the closing of his lab was a factor in his decision to leave. He said he is going to miss his nurses and patients but is excited about being able to concentrate on ALS research at a special lab at the Carolinas Medical Center.