Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Named a Parkinson’s Foundation Comprehensive Care Center Amidst Rising Parkinson’s Rates

As Parkinson’s disease continues its rapid rise to become the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder, Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) announced it has been designated a Comprehensive Care Center by the Parkinson’s Foundation. HUMC is the only center in NJ to receive this prestigious designation, which recognizes the medical center’s commitment to providing outstanding, patient-centered, and team-based care for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The designation comes at a critical time. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, and its prevalence has more than doubled in the past generation. While traditionally associated with older age, there is a noticeable increase in diagnoses among younger adults, with an estimated 4% to 10% of cases classified as Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD), where diagnosis occurs before age 50, including some well-known figures; actor Michael J. Fox, diagnosed at age 29 and former professional basketball player Brian Grant, diagnosed at 36.

The Parkinson’s Foundation’s Comprehensive Care Center designation is awarded to centers that excel in providing multidisciplinary, high-quality clinical programs and expanding access to specialized services within their communities. This recognition highlights Hackensack University Medical Center’s excellence in delivering advanced, coordinated care for individuals with Parkinson's and their families.

“This designation from the Parkinson’s Foundation is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire team, and it couldn’t be more timely as we see the number of Parkinson’s cases grow,” said Florian P. Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Neuroscience Institute & Department of Neurology at Hackensack University Medical Center and founding chair and Professor of Neurology at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “I am incredibly proud of the teams led by Umer Akbar, M.D., director of the Movement Disorder Center at Hackensack University Medical Center and professor of Neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and Hooman Azmi, M.D., director of the Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center and associate professor of Neurosurgery at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, whose tireless work secured this honor. This reinforces our commitment to providing the highest level of multidisciplinary care and advancing research to improve the lives of our patients and their families.”

The Parkinson’s Foundation highlighted several areas of excellence at Hackensack University Medical Center, including:

• Collaborative Team: A dedicated and collaborative team focused on providing excellent clinical care.
• Significant Staff Growth: A substantial increase in specialized staff, including Movement Disorder Specialists, social workers, psychologists, and nurses.
• Robust Psychology Support: Diverse and comprehensive neuro- and health psychology services, including cognitive testing and remediation and therapy with excellent patient access.
• National Leadership in Hospital Safety: Recognized as a national leader in ensuring the safety of hospitalized patients with Parkinson's.
• Innovative fast track to DBS and HiFU Programs: An innovative deep brain stimulation (DBS) program with strong collaboration between neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, and rehabilitation services that dramatically reduces the interval to these interventional treatments for selected patients.
• Integrated Care: Strong integration of inpatient and outpatient care for people with Parkinson's.

“This designation is a tremendous honor and reflects our unwavering commitment to serving the diverse needs of our community,” said Lisa Tank, M.D., president and chief hospital executive of Hackensack University Medical Center. “For patients and families facing a Parkinson’s diagnosis, this means access to a nationally recognized center of excellence right here in their own backyard. We are dedicated to providing not just advanced medical treatment, but also the comprehensive support services that are so vital to managing this complex disease.”

The designation as a Comprehensive Care Center ensures that Hackensack University Medical Center, which is the only hospital in New Jersey to be nationally recognized for its Neurology & Neurosurgery program by U.S. News & World Report, will continue to be a leader in Parkinson's care, with a formal review by the Parkinson's Foundation in five years to ensure the continuation of its high standards. Not only does the Center offer state-of-the-art care, it also offers patients to participate in clinical research for Parkinson’s disease, including alpha-synuclein antibodies & genetically modified cell-based therapies.

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is dedicated to advancing Parkinson's care across the healthcare network, including programs at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ, and JFK University Medical Center in Edison, NJ. HMH is at the forefront of research, participating in numerous clinical trials, including a study for a new drug that may slow the disease's progression. Notably, Hackensack Meridian Health was also the first in New Jersey to use High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to treat essential tremor and Parkinson's-related hand tremors as well as Deep Brain Stimulation.

To learn more about the comprehensive services for Parkinson's disease at Hackensack Meridian Health, click here.