Lynn Smith, Jennifer Connor and Dr. Madhavi Kamireddi met on the tennis courts. The three have become lifetime friends whose individual paths recently came together to found the CapeTMS clinic.
When Dr. Kamireddi shared her professional work with her two friends, it sparked a commitment to TMS therapy and sharing that knowledge with others. January 2021 saw the opening of the first TMS clinic on Cape Cod.
TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is an FDA-approved, non-invasive outpatient procedure used to treat medically resistant forms of depression.
“Right now the statistics on mental health are rising. People don’t know where to go,” Ms. Smith said. "Unfortunately depression hits everybody."
Ms. Smith, who has spent much of her career in the healthcare sphere, began researching mental healthcare in Massachusetts after a conversation with Dr. Kamireddi. She quickly found a dire need for mental health clinics and providers on Cape Cod. The Cape has one of the highest populations for depression in Massachusetts. Before CapeTMS, there were no alternative treatments available locally, she said.
Dr. Kamireddi, double-board-certified adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist, opened one of the first TMS clinics after noticing a shortage of mental health clinics in the area. The New England Center for Healthy Minds opened its doors in 2010.
CapeTMS hopes to fill those same shoes in the Cape community. The clinic is currently only offering MagVenture TMS therapy, but hopes to fully provide the same renowned services from its Falmouth location soon.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation consists of brief repetitive magnetic pulses placed precisely to stimulate specific neurons in the brain. According to its website, there are few known adverse effects and no systemic side effects to the treatment.
Time spent in therapy has decreased over the years, with sessions now lasting between 11 and 17 minutes, making treatment even more convenient for patients. The CapeTMS building, located just down the street from the Teaticket Post Office, currently has three fully operational therapy rooms to provide daily care for its patients. Its spacious waiting area and office spaces painted in a serene shade of blue offer comfort to those who step through its doors.
The TMS process begins with a preliminary consultation to determine if this route of therapy is the correct one. The patient will then meet with Dr. Kamireddi to start the brain mapping process. This is done in order to determine the correct placement for the coil to maximize results. Patients then finish their treatment under TMS technician Jennifer Connor.
Each treatment is tailored to the individual patient's needs and schedule. The entire process consists of 36 treatments over a seven-week span. Two-thirds of TMS patients respond positively to treatment, with 50 percent of those patients achieving full remission.
“I think our approach is a little bit more personal,” said Ms. Connor, who, while following COVID protocols, continues to provide personalized service to each of her patients.
CapeTMS, beyond providing compassionate healthcare, looks to educate the public and other healthcare providers to the benefits of these alternative treatments. Both Ms. Connor and Ms. Smith said little is actually known about the innovative therapy. The knowledge and easy availability of TMS is minimal, even among the healthcare community, despite its development in the 1980s.
“The mind is just like any other organ, a lot of people take something or would go to the doctor if they broke their leg,” Ms. Connor said.
For Ms. Connor, a native of Falmouth, a desire to help began with “seeing a huge need for those suffering through society,” working as a housing advocate for the homeless in the area before her current career path. Ms. Connor, Ms. Smith and Dr. Kamireddi are dedicated to expanding mental healthcare treatments on the Cape. They hope to bring education to those interested in these innovative therapies.
Ms. Smith, who has built several businesses—including a previous health clinic—from the ground up, brought her business experience to the Cape clinic. She helped orchestrate the clinic's opening in a six-month span. It is clear the entire staff share a mutual respect and have great compassion for the work they are providing.
CapeTMS has long-term goals on Cape. For now, it hopes to continue to expand its outreach, making those in need aware of its services.