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The Center for Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation Alternatives and Pulmonary Rehabilitation consists of physicians and other health care professionals dedicated to the care of patients with neuromuscular weakness and respiratory impairment from any cause. Led by Dr. John Bach, the Center provides real hope for patients who are thought to be without any options through conventional management.

The Center's physicians have developed inspiratory and expiratory muscle aids that prevent respiratory complications of neuromuscular weakness. These aids allow our surgeons to perform surgery on patients with little or no respiratory muscle function while maintaining minimal risk of respiratory complications and eliminating the need to resort to tracheostomy. Inspiratory and expiratory aids like the Cough-AssistTM are used in all of the hospital's intensive care units by specifically trained and skilled respiratory therapists and nurses. Through the care and education provided by the Center, over 100 patients with absolutely no ability to breathe and with little or no respiratory muscle function have had their tracheostomy tubes successfully removed.

In related issues, the Center’s physicians have developed orthopedic approaches that prevent musculotendinous contractures and prolong brace-free ambulation. Moreover, a cardiac management protocol has been described that has reversed the cardiac stress associated with the cardiomyopathy of myopathic disease.