Michigan State Rep. Artina Tinsley Hardman joined leaders of the WSU School of Medicine, Detroit Medical Center and the Sarcoidosis Awareness Foundation to announce the development of Michigan's most comprehensive centers for the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis. The announcement was timed with Hardman's Michigan House Resolution No. 275 which recognizes National Sarcoidosis Awareness day last week.

WSU's Center for Sarcoidosis will offer diagnostic services, testing and evaluation, treatment, research, support groups and education for both the general public and medical community. One of the center's multiple goals of is to educate physicians and health-care workers about the disease. While diagnosis dates back 135 years, sarcoidosis often goes undiagnosed in many patients because too often health care providers are not trained to recognize the symptoms.

"Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune systemic disease with no known cause or cure that can affect any part of the body. The disease affects 20 to 50 of every 100,000 individuals in the United States. Most victims are between 20 and 40 years of age and while anyone can contract the illness, African Americans are affected at least 10 times more often than Caucasians," said Dr. Safwan Badr, medical director of The Center for Sarcoidosis.

Through grant support, WSU pulmonary physicians will conduct research on environmental and hereditary factors of the disease, as well as develop new diagnostic approaches and therapies.

"This center demonstrates once again that when research, education and quality physician care are combined, the patient is the one who benefits most," said John Crissman, dean of the WSU School of Medicine. "We are looking forward to watching Dr. Badr and his team improve the lives those who suffer from Sarcoidosis by establishing the gold standard in patient care."

To schedule an appointment with The Sarcoidosis Center, call (888) 472-2588.