At Mount Sinai – Union Square, we have one of the longest-established Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence. We are a part of an international program of 48 designated medical centers (34 in the US) meeting rigorous clinical, research, education and patient care criteria. Established in 1996, this program has continuously provided multidisciplinary care for people with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders seeking expert diagnosis and treatment.
Bottom row – left to right: Christina Palmese, MD; Rachel Saunders, MD; Susan B. Bressman, MD; Naomi Lubarr, MD; Middle row – left to right: Jean Peng; Matthew Swan, MD; Vicki Shanker, MD; Viktoriya Katsnelson, MD; Leon Meytin, MD; Deborah Raymond; Shameeka Kumar; Laura Ramirez; Back row – left to right: Roberto Ortega; Theresa Lin; Sonya Elango; Nikita Urval; MD; Katherine Leaver; Mark Groves, MD.
Our Center of Excellence is a key component of the Mount Sinai Health System’s Movement Disorders Program, recognized internationally for its quality of care and cutting edge research. The team treats patients with various movement disorders that include, in addition to Parkinson’s, dystonia, tremor, and tic disorders, myoclonus, ataxia, Huntington disease, and others. They provide compassionate individualized care built on trusting relationships with the patients and their family members. Susan Bressman, MD, is the Director of Movement Disorders for the System and directs its Parkinson’s Center of Excellence. Last year, Crain’s Health honored her for incredible work in this area.
Vicki Shanker, MD, commented on the environment that Dr. Bressman creates for patients and employees alike:
“Dr. Bressman sets the example for the patient-physician relationship. I see patients and family members embracing her on their way out like family members. Our entire team strives to be there in every way possible for our patients and each other throughout their journey.”
The team consists of attending physicians, neurology residents and fellows, nurses, nurse practitioners, researchers, genetic counselors, and many others. Each year, they must re-apply to be certified as a Center of Excellence, and the each year the process becomes more rigorous.
This team also receives funding for research from the National Institute for Health, Michael J. Fox Foundations, New York State Department of Health and Parkinson Study Group, as well as industry sponsored trials seeking better therapies and ultimately curative treatments.
I’m so proud to have such an incredible and innovative team in our Downtown network.