Dr. Jeffrey Deitch co-founded the ALS Hope Foundation in 1999 with Dr. Terry Heiman-Patterson. While Dr. Heiman-Patterson led the clinic, Dr. Deitch led the research lab. He was an Assistant Professor and Director of the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at Drexel University College of Medicine. He earned his BS from Rutgers College and a PhD in Neuroscience in 1986 from the University of Virginia. This was one of the first Neuroscience Graduate Programs in the country. His post-doctoral training involved pioneering studies in neuronal cell culture and laser confocal microscopy in laboratories at Albany Medical College and the New York State Department of Health. Dr. Deitch joined the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Associate in 1992, and then served as Assistant Professor of Cell Biology at UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine.

In 1996 he joined the Department of Neurology faculty at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Deitch has published over 30 papers, chapters, and abstracts on studies ranging from neurodegeneration in the auditory system to groundbreaking work on the fundamental structure of neurons, and teaches extensively on Neurological topics. He was passionate about his research projects focusing on the effect of genetic background on ALS disease progression, on the potential use of "neurotrophic factors" as a therapeutic for ALS, and on developing stem cells for use in studying how ALS kills motor neurons.

At the time of his death, Dr. Deitch was serving as the Chairperson of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. In 2013, he was honored with the Humanitarian Award in honor of his many contributions to the global ALS community, through both research and advocacy.

The Jeffrey Deitch Travel Grant was established in his memory.