By Dr. J. Antonelle de Marcaida
Medical Director
Hartford HealthCare Chase Family Movement Disorders Center

Welcome to the inaugural e-newsletter of Hartford HealthCare’s Chase Family Movement Disorders Center.

It’s hard to believe it has only been four years since our first Movement Disorders Center opened its doors at the Hartford HealthCare facility in Vernon. In November 2015, we started with a team of one Movement Disorders neurologist, one advance practice nurse, one research nurse, one office manager and four other support staff. Today, we are in four locations throughout the state, and have developed a truly comprehensive, fully integrated model of care for our patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

We have a team of six fellowship-trained movement disorders doctors, a movement disorders fellow, seven advanced practice providers, five behavioral health specialists, three highly trained nurses, program development and practice managers, and an additional support staff of 14 caring medical assistants and patient service coordinators.

We are proud of all the initiatives we have established within Hartford HealthCare’s Ayer Neuroscience Institute that furthers our mission and vision to provide the highest standards of care to this community. In these four years, we have been the first to bring multiple programs and services to Connecticut and to the region, including the latest technologies in deep brain stimulation surgery, advanced therapeutic and research options for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington disease, dystonia and other movement disorders, fully integrated Behavioral Health, Rehabilitation Medicine and Integrative Medicine services, Connecticut’s only American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information and Referral Center, highly specialized speech/physical/occupational therapy programs, robust partnerships with Hartford HealthCare’s home care services and daily exercise and wellness programs free of charge to all our patients.

Our physicians serve as advisers to multiple community-based advocacy and support groups, and can be found speaking, participating, organizing and spearheading countless community events throughout the year. And all these in addition to caring for the most patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders in the entire state.

We are proud of what we have achieved in these four years, and we are extremely grateful to our gracious benefactors who saw the passion we have for the work we do and for the people we serve.

We are humbled by the trust granted to us by Hartford HealthCare’s leadership, and the support they have given unstintingly towards the realization and growth of our vision. Most of all, we are inspired by the strength and courage of the people we choose to care for, and we dedicate everything we do to each and every one of them every day.

We aim to go beyond just talking about patient-centered services, and have committed whole-heartedly to a patient-driven approach to care.

We see you. We are listening. We are in this together. We are all here for you.

Join us and sign up to receive email alerts about upcoming activities, programs and events. We would love to hear your ideas and your feedback. Visit us here for more information. See you there!