Proving that integrated care can make a difference
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive, chronic neurological condition that can cause tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness, and gait or balance problems.
The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center (MAPC) and Movement Disorder Clinic at Barrow Neurological Institute is a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence, serving as a resource for Parkinson's disease patients and their families. The Center's staff is committed to providing excellence in diagnosis, treatment, research, and education for people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
The Center provides support groups, educational classes, research studies, assistance programs, conferences, recreational programs, and other services.
The MAPC moved into a new facility recently, thanks to the generosity of benefactors. The 9,100-square-foot space is located on the third floor of the Muhammad and Lonnie Ali Pavilion (formerly the 240 Building). It houses one of the most comprehensive Parkinson’s centers in the country.
The clinical side of the center includes 10 exam rooms, a tremor exam room, a Botox treatment center, a tilt room to help evaluate patients with orthostatic hypertension, and a balance lab.
The expanded MAPC features treatment areas for physical, occupational, and speech therapy; a multipurpose room for education and recreation classes; a resource room with books, videos, and computers; and a store featuring educational materials and equipment. The Center offers one-stop shopping for patients.
“The new space allows us to be a model for the rest of the country to demonstrate how integrated care can make a difference,” says Margaret Anne Coles, MAPC program manager.
