While searching for a movement disorders doctor, I happened upon a government listing for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Centers of Excellence, which fascinated me.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, PD Centers of Excellence deliver care worldwide to more than 127,000 patients. The centers “advance research to improve the lives of everyone with Parkinson’s treated at centers and beyond, and for future generations.” They also “provide patient education programs, community outreach programs and specialized Parkinson’s training for healthcare professionals.” The movement disorders team at each hospital must fulfill a list of criteria, which in turn leads to these specific centers being recognized by their medical peers as “leaders in PD care.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation says that folks from all the centers come together at least once a year to bring the latest information or offer updates on care initiatives and research. Each center is required to be recertified every three years, in a process that includes looking at the accomplishments of each center.
I was amazed. The patients who can see a movement disorder specialist in one of these centers must be so well taken care of. I think one of the main reasons is that there are accountability and integrity within these organizations. What does that mean to us as patients? We are better cared for, and the care we receive should be, according to their mission, top quality.
I happened upon a Center of Excellence because one of my doctors was a part of one. I can vouch for the fact that they truly exemplify “excellence.”
If you are not satisfied with the care you are receiving, feel your medical team may not be up to date with the latest care for you as their patient, or you just want to see if a change in care is warranted, get in touch with one near you (see the listings below). It’s definitely worth the call and maybe even the drive.
Centers of Excellence in the United States
Arizona
– Barrow Neurological Institute, Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
California
– University of Southern California, Parkinson’s Disease and Other Movement Disorders Center
– University of California, San Francisco, Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center (415) 476-9276
– The Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center, Sunnyvale, (408) 542-5646
District of Columbia
– Georgetown University Hospital, (202) 444-2333
Florida
– University of Florida, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, (352) 273-5550
– University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center
– University of South Florida, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, (813) 844-4547
Georgia
– Health Sciences University, Department of Neurology, (706) 721-2798
Illinois
– Northwestern University, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Chicago, (312) 503-4397
– Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
Kansas
– University of Kansas Medical Center, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center, (913) 588-7179
Kentucky
– University of Louisville, Movement Disorder Program, (502) 852-3655
Maryland
– Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, (410) 955-8795
Massachusetts
– Massachusetts General Hospital, Wang Ambulatory Care Center, (617) 724-9234
– Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, (617) 667-2699
Minnesota
– Struthers Parkinson’s Center, (952)993-5214
New York
– SUNY Downstate Medical Center/Kings County Hospital, Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders Clinic, (718) 270-7371
– Beth Israel Medical Center, The Movement Disorders Center, Phillips Ambulatory Care Center, (212) 844-6134
– Columbia University Medical Center, New York
– Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Bendheim Parkinson and Movement Disorder, (212) 241-2477
– NYU Langone Medical Center, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, (646) 505-5744
– University of Rochester Medical Center, Movement and Inherited Neurological Disorders Unit, (585) 276-3987
North Carolina
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, (919) 966-5549
– Duke University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, (919) 684-5128
Oregon
– Oregon Health and Science University, Parkinson Center of Oregon, (503) 494-5620
Pennsylvania
– University of Pennsylvania, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, (215) 829-7273
Tennessee
– Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Parkinson’s Disease Center, (615) 936-5517
Texas
– Baylor College of Medicine, Parkinson’s Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, (713) 798-3951
Washington
– Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center, (425) 899-3123
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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2018/09/19/parkinsons-disease-centers-of-excellence-worth-looking-into/
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