University of Michigan Health named state’s first Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, has been designated as a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence for the care of people with the progressive neurological condition. This marks the first time a health system has received this designation in Michigan.

“This is a recognition of our team-based approach and commitment to comprehensive care for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, innovative research, quality improvement, community outreach and professional development,” said Kelvin Chou, M.D., a movement disorders neurologist and Co-Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic at U-M Health.

“We have so many individuals here at U-M Health who have dedicated their careers to helping individuals with Parkinson’s: physicians, nurses, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, researchers and research coordinators. We wouldn't have received this designation without the contributions of everyone.”

U-M Health is one of eight new health systems in the world to be designated as a Center of Excellence or Comprehensive Care Center by the Parkinson’s Foundation Global Care Network in 2023.

The network is comprised of 54 Centers of Excellence and 10 Comprehensive Care Centers; both must demonstrate exemplary care and impactful community education and outreach, with Centers of Excellence playing a vital role in leading the Parkinson’s Disease field in advancing research, according to the foundation.

“The newly designated Centers join a network that is setting the highest standard of care for people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. and internationally,” said John L. Lehr, president and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation.

“With our latest Network expansion, we are proud to further our commitment to improving the health and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s by recognizing providers offering exceptional care in their communities.”

U-M Health offers comprehensive care for Parkinson’s Disease delivered by an internationally recognized medical team. The multidisciplinary teams in the Movement Disorders Clinic and Surgical Therapies for Improving Movement program treat more than 1,000 patients with Parkinson’s each year.

U-M is also home to one of a handful of the nation’s Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The center’s work focuses on understanding and developing treatments for gait and balance problems in Parkinson's, as well as catalyzing and expanding Parkinson's research.

“We are thrilled to have earned Center of Excellence designation,” said Laura Zeitlin, LMSW, clinical social worker in the U-M Health Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, and future center coordinator.

“We have an amazing team that is committed to providing the highest quality care, education and support to the patients, families and communities we serve. We’re always seeking to improve and expand our offerings, and we’re looking forward to increasing our collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation.”