Emory University to Join the National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence Network
MIAMI, Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program at Emory University has been designated a Center of Excellence by the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF). This competitive designation is the highest recognition offered by NPF to a Parkinson's specialty clinic and represents the consensus of peers and leaders in the field that the Emory Center is among the world's leading centers for Parkinson's research, outreach and care.
NPF Centers of Excellence are designated after a rigorous application and review process. NPF has designated 40 Centers of Excellence around the world and provides grant funding to them. Emory University, based in Atlanta, is the 25th Center of Excellence in the United States.
"It's an honor to be recognized by the National Parkinson Foundation as a Center of Excellence," said Stewart Factor, DO, Vance Lanier Chair of Neurology and Director of the Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program. "Emory has long been a leader in Parkinson's care and research, and this designation will link us with other leading centers and reflects the importance we place on providing the highest quality of care to our patients."
Emory University is a both a regional and international leader in Parkinson's research, care and training, under the longtime leadership of Dr. Mahlon DeLong. It is a designated Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence by the National Institutes of Health. Emory has recently concluded more than 20 clinical trials in Parkinson's care and treats more than 4,000 Parkinson's patients each year.
"NPF Centers of Excellence are expected to not just deliver great care to their own patients, but to have a positive influence on the care of every Parkinson's patient seen in their community," said Peter Schmidt, PhD, NPF's Vice President of Research and Professional Programs. "Emory is a quintessential example of this. Patients can receive outstanding care at the center where breakthroughs like deep brain stimulation were made."
NPF's Center of Excellence network features world-renowned Parkinson's specialists focused on reaching across patient and professional communities to change the course of Parkinson's disease. The network serves more than 50,000 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's. In order to participate in the competitive designation process, centers must first meet strict criteria for research, comprehensive care, patient outreach services and professional education. The NPF Center of Excellence network is widely credited with developing and promoting the modern Parkinson's team model of care and ensuring patients the highest standards of care.
NPF brings all Centers of Excellence together annually to provide updates on care activities and research initiatives. Each NPF Center of Excellence must re-certify every four years in order to ensure that they maintain high standards of care. This process includes a review of achievements as well as a team-based peer evaluation including an on-site assessment.
The inclusion of Emory University into the NPF Center of Excellence network is made possible by the generous support of the McCamish and Beckham families.
About the Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program
The Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program at Emory University School of Medicine is a leading clinical and basic research center for both adult and pediatric patients in Atlanta, the state of Georgia and the Southeastern United States. The program's vision is to provide the best care and early intervention treatments for patients with movement disorders. Major discoveries include the development of highly effective brain surgical approaches for medication-resistant patients, moving these treatments from the laboratory to accepted clinical practice worldwide.
About the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF)
Founded in 1957, the mission of the National Parkinson Foundation is to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson's disease through research, education and outreach. NPF has funded more than $180 million in care, research and support services. For more information about the National Parkinson Foundation, visit www.parkinson.org or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).
NPF Media Contact:
Leilani Pearl
305-537-9907
[email protected]
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SOURCE National Parkinson Foundation
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