Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence

What We Offer

Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Care
At Michigan Medicine, our Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence is well known for its multidisciplinary team approach to treating Parkinson’s disease. This means that doctors, nurses, therapists, and other experts work closely together to make sure patients get the best care. Our care model goes far beyond routine neurology appointments:

•    Expert Knowledge:
Our staff includes top movement disorder specialists (neurologists trained in Parkinson’s disease), neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, physical, occupational and speech therapists, nurses, and social workers. We all collaborate so that each patient receives top-notch care.

•    Specialized Clinics & Programs
Surgical Therapies Improving Movement (STIM) Program: Our STIM Program offers surgical therapies such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). DBS surgery involves placing a wire deep in the brain. The wire is connected under the skin to a pacemaker device in the chest. When the pacemaker is turned on, it sends electrical signals to the brain to help improve movement symptoms for individuals with Parkinson’s.

Thomas C. Jones Multidisciplinary Falls Clinic: This clinic helps people with Parkinson’s who have experienced falls. Patients are evaluated by a movement disorder specialist, social worker, physical therapist, and occupational therapist at the same visit, who then develop a personalized plan to prevent and reduce falls.

Botulinum Toxin Clinic: This clinic uses botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to treat bothersome symptoms such as excessive drooling (sialorrhea) and painful or severe muscle contractions (dystonia).

Atypical Parkinsonism Clinic: In this clinic, we diagnose and treat rare or more complicated forms of Parkinson’s, such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Multiple System Atrophy, and Corticobasal Syndrome.

Supportive Care Clinic: This clinic helps patients manage difficult symptoms like pain, fatigue, and changes in cognition. Patients are seen by a movement disorders specialist, a neuropalliative specialist and a social worker so they can get help with care planning to improve quality of life beyond movement concerns.

LSVT BIG and LOUD Program: Michigan Medicine offers these specialized therapy programs designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease improve movement and communication. Both programs are backed by research showing improvements in movement, speech, and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.

•    Robust Patient Community
Every year, our Center cares for over 2,000 people with Parkinson’s disease or similar movement disorders. Our experience helps us provide expert care to each person we serve.

Strong Focus on Community Engagement and Education

Education and support are integral to our mission. Our team actively participates in local events, support groups, and workshops to foster connection and empowerment among those affected by Parkinson’s.

In partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation, we also conduct quarterly educational events, which we call “PD&You”, to bring the latest science, treatments, and wellness strategies to patients, families, and community members. These educational programs are recorded and available online through our Education/Outreach site, so patients and caregivers can stay informed from home.

Advancing Parkinson’s Research

Our Center is recognized nationally for its leading research in Parkinson’s disease. We are dedicated to discovering new ways to understand and treat this condition.

•    Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence: As one of only a few centers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), our Udall Center focuses on studying gait and balance problems in people with Parkinson’s. We work to develop new and innovative therapies to improve these symptoms.

•    Cutting-Edge Clinical Trials: Many of our faculty are credentialed investigators through the Parkinson Study Group, an internationally-recognized group of experts who conduct high-quality research studies for Parkinson’s disease. Patients at our Center can participate in groundbreaking clinical trials testing new medicines, devices, and approaches to care. To learn more or see which studies are currently enrolling, visit our Research site.