The Chase Family Movement Disorders Center, part of the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute, was added to the prestigious Parkinson’s Foundation Global Care Network in recognition of the excellent multidisciplinary care its team provides, the only one in the whole of the Northeast.

With the number of people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) expected to increase to 1.2 million in the United States by 2030, the Parkinson’s Foundation hopes to help with a trusted network of providers with advanced training and demonstrated success in treating this movement disorder.

The Chase Family Movement Disorders Center was one of the first facilities designated Comprehensive Care Centers by the organization, which plans to name only 15 programs globally over the next five years. A total of six facilities were awarded this recognition in the first year of this initiative. The Comprehensive Care Center designation is a complement to the Foundation’s Center of Excellence designation, awarded to 47 centers globally to highlight the highest standards of expert care and research for people with Parkinson’s disease.

“This is part of a broader strategy to recognize excellence in clinical care, develop a global network of interconnected clinicians, and raise the standard of care for all those living with PD,” said John Lehr, president and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “We are interested in recognizing centers in the U.S. that are leading Parkinson’s care and bringing forward new treatments and practices that are improving patient outcomes.”

The five-year designation stems from a rigorous inspection process through which organizations must demonstrate exemplary multidisciplinary care. Comprehensive care centers are facilities that excel in:

  • Using a team approach to providing the highest level of evidence-based, patient-centered care.
  • Demonstrating leadership in professional training.
  • Conducting impactful patient education and community outreach.

“We are proud to be the first organization in Northeast to be included in the Global Care Network. This designation recognizes the tremendous efforts of our team to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease,” said Joy Antonelle de Marcaida, MD, director of the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center.

Joining the network, she said, affords the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center clinicians a chance to work with colleagues from other high-quality locations to advance patient care.

The center has six locations statewide, and a seventh for patients who are more comfortable accessing care in Spanish.