Parkinson’s Foundation designates Cleveland Clinic a Center of Excellence
Submitted by PARKINSON’S FOUNDATION
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Clinic has joined the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence global network. Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Neurological Restoration is among the first in the world to bring together an interdisciplinary team of renowned neurologists and other specialists who offer the latest treatments for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. The Parkinson’s Foundation will host a plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate the Cleveland Clinic’s leadership in providing Parkinson’s care from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center located at 8650 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.
The Cleveland Clinic designation as a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence was made possible by the generous support of Stephen Bittel, chairman and founder of Terranova, a real estate firm based in Miami. Bittel will join the Parkinson’s Foundation in the plaque unveiling ceremony to formally present the Center of Excellence designation to Cleveland Clinic’s leadership team and staff.
The Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence network is comprised of 45 medical centers, 31 of which are in the United States and serve more than 145,000 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s annually. This sought-after designation identifies hospitals and academic medical centers with specialized teams – neurologists, movement disorders specialists, physical and occupational therapists, and mental health professionals – who are at the leading edge of the latest medications, therapies and innovations in Parkinson’s disease.
“The Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence designation symbolizes leadership in providing high-quality Parkinson’s care,” said John Lehr, president and chief executive officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “The Cleveland Clinic Center for Neurological Restoration is markedly at the forefront of innovative treatment for Parkinson’s disease.”
A Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence designation is awarded based on a rigorous application and peer-review process with the following criteria:
- Must see at least 700 unique patients with Parkinson’s disease annually
- Conduct research relevant to Parkinson’s and/or conduct clinical trials for Parkinson’s
- Provide exemplary team care, including a neurologist with training in movement disorders, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech-language pathologist
- Promote access to wellness programs for patients
- Facilitate educational events for patients and families
“This recognition reflects the tireless and dedicated effort of our entire team,” said Hubert Fernandez, M.D., co-director of the Center for Neurological Restoration at Cleveland Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic Parkinson’s Center of Excellence. “We will carry this designation with pride and it will re-energize us to reach even greater heights in providing compassionate care, offering the latest in research and surgical clinical trials, and continuing to reinvent how we treat Parkinson’s disease.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation brings the Centers of Excellence together annually for a “Center Leadership Conference” to provide updates on care and research initiatives. Every center must recertify after five years to ensure requisite standards of care. For a full list of Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence visit, Parkinson.org/COE.
Added Bittel, “Inaugurating the Cleveland Clinic as a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence ensures that more people have access to the best Parkinson’s care. I am proud to support the Parkinson’s Foundation in its efforts to make life better for people with Parkinson’s.”
To search for a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, visit Parkinson.org/search or call 1-800-4PD-INFO.
