FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 24, 2014
CONTACT:
Stefanie Racano
Development Office
Richmond University Medical Center
718.818.2103, sracano@rumcsi.org
Dr. Allan Perel, Chief of Neurology at RUMC, and Leslie Chambers, President and CEO of APDA, to lead lecture on April 28, 2014. Richmond University Medical Center and the American Parkinson Disease Association mark Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month by educating hospital’s medical residents about this disease affecting more than 1 million people.
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, 2014 — In recognition of April being Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, Richmond University Medical Center and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), are pleased to announce that on April 28th at 8 a.m. in Richmond University Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehab Conference Room a lecture on Parkinson’s Disease, led by Dr. Allan Perel, Chief of Neurology at RUMC, will be provided to the hospital’s medical interns.
Dr. Perel will give an overview of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive degenerative neurological disease, and address the latest in the diagnosis, treatment, long term management and research efforts into the cause(s) and cure(s) of this disease. Leslie Chambers, President and CEO of APDA, will give remarks on the work being done by APDA to Ease the Burden – Find the Cure. Parkinson’s disease affects more than 1 million Americans.
Richmond University Medical Center and the American Parkinson Disease Association are committed to working together to collaborate on advocacy and assistance to the many individuals afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. Richmond University Medical Center plans to send rehabilitation therapists from Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy to APDA support groups periodically throughout the year. Efforts are also being explored to increase opportunities for Parkinson’s patients to ask questions on the websites of RUMC and APDA and receive responses from experts such as Dr. Perel and others.
Joseph Conte, Senior Vice President of Quality and Risk Management Services at Richmond University Medical Center states “Richmond University Medical Center is strengthening its relationship with the SI Chapter of APDA and our community members diagnosed with Parkinsons’ in several meaningful ways. In addition to the ongoing educational effort of Dr. Perel, a great leader in Neurology, beginning in May, members of our physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy departments will commit time to the chapter’s monthly meetings to assist patients and family members in addressing the quality of life issues that they face. “
“It is quite fitting that we have chosen to recognize Parkinson’s Disease Awareness month by taking an opportunity to expose our future medical leaders to a disease that afflicts individuals of all ages and all walks of life. Though Parkinson’s is usually diagnosed in people over 60 years old, between 10 and 15 percent of patients, a quickly increasing number, are estimated to be 50 years old or younger. The disease does not discriminate,” said Leslie Chambers. “Through the dedicated work of Dr. Perel in treating and advocating for Parkinson’s patients, and the steadfast commitment to supporting APDA’s goal of finding a cure for this disease, displayed by Joseph Conte, through his role as a board member of APDA, the collaboration between our institutions is a valuable one for those suffering with Parkinson’s,” continued Chambers.
About Richmond University Medical Center:
Richmond University Medical Center is a 510-bed healthcare facility serving borough residents as a leader in the areas of surgery, gastroenterology, pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology, endocrinology, urology, oncology, orthopedics, behavioral health, and maternal health. With approximately 2,400 employees, the Medical Center is one of the largest employers on Staten Island. The hospital is recognized for its outstanding neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which has the lowest mortality rate in the metropolitan area and a survival rate of 99.4% (2011) that exceeds national benchmarks (Source: Vermont Oxford Study).
Richmond University Medical Center is a Level 1 Trauma Center and designated Stroke Center. The hospital was the recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for 2010, 2011 and 2012. Also in 2012, the hospital unveiled its award-winning Ambulatory Care Center and GI/Endoscopy Suites. The new facility offers state-of-the-art gastroenterological services and treatments. Richmond University Hospital has received Stage 1 certification of its Electronic Health Records (EHR) system from the Office of the National Coordinator, Center for Medicare Medicaid Services, an achievement attained by fewer than 800 hospitals in the nation, putting it at the forefront of technological advances in patient safety.
For more information, call 718.818.1234, visit www.rumcsi.org or email info@rumcsi.org.
About APDA
Founded in 1961 with the dual mission to Ease the Burden – Find the Cure, APDA is the largest grassroots organization serving more than 1 million Americans with Parkinson’s disease by focusing on research, patient and caregiver support, education, and increasing public awareness. APDA operates through a network of 37 Chapters, 38 Information and Referral Centers and hundreds of support groups nationwide, and funds eight centers for advanced research in major academic and healthcare institutions. The national headquarters for the organization is located in the Grasmere section of Staten Island.
APDA’s goal of promoting a better quality of life for the Parkinson’s community is actualized through an expanding network of Information and Referral Centers. Staten Island has its own Information and Referral Center with Dr. Allan Perel as Director and Linda Ryan, RN as coordinator. It is located at APDA’s national headquarters, 135 Parkinson Avenue, SI. The unique contribution of these Centers is to respond to the particular needs of persons affected by Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers through education, referral, support and public awareness programs. The Information and Referral Center serves as a regional “hub” which processes requests received by mail, phone or on-site visit.
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