Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
In 2019, the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center was designated a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence. This designation was awarded in recognition of the faculty and staff's commitment to the Parkinson's community through clinical care, research, outreach, and education. There are 54 centers of excellence worldwide, and the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center is one of 40 in the United States.
Newly Diagnosed Education Clinic
After being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by an attending physician, patients are referred for a Newly Diagnosed Education Visit with an advanced practice provider. This appointment lasts one hour and is designed for patients and their care team to learn more about Parkinson's disease, answer questions, learn about resources, and learn about our center.
Visits can be in person or through telehealth and emphasize any patient questions. Common topics include motor and non-motor symptoms, treatment options, the importance of exercise, special considerations, and hospitalization/surgery awareness.
Parkinson's Disease Multidisciplinary Clinic
This multidisciplinary clinic includes a visit with a movement disorders specialist and provides a standardized set of evaluations by a Parkinson's Disease-trained physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist. The movement disorders specialist will do a standardized assessment and discuss the therapists' findings and recommendations. The specialist will also complete anxiety and depression screenings, a medication review, and advance care directive discussion.
Patients are encouraged to complete a multidisciplinary clinic visit once a year. The entire appointment lasts about two and a half hours and can help track the progression of symptoms more accurately. Each patient gets personalized recommendations to help improve the management of the Parkinson's disease.
Are you interested in learning more about Parkinson's Disease? You can find videos from our 2024 Parkinson's Disease Symposium on our YouTube channel.