Welcome to the Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

More than 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease (PD) and over 90,000 new diagnoses are made every year. The impact on patients and families is substantial. While we are discovering more every year, there is still much more to learn about the cause of PD and potential cures. UC Davis Health is committed to seeking answers through innovative research while providing the best care possible to patients and families currently facing this devastating disease. By leveraging the expertise of our world-class clinicians, nurses and scientists, we are addressing the needs of patients with Parkinson's disease and their families today and tomorrow.

Parkinson’s is a complex disease that requires significant coordination of care. While we are working on a cure, medications, treatments, and other therapies can help relieve symptoms.  Patients and their families receive care from multiple specialties, which can be difficult and time-consuming to navigate. As of January 2024, UC Davis Health offers the region’s first Parkinson’s Multidisciplinary Center of Excellence serving inland Northern California and beyond. Through the clinic, we are implementing a model of healthcare that coordinates and harnesses the expertise of specialists to provide truly comprehensive care for patients and families. The clinic brings together care providers from specialties such as neurology, neurological surgery, speech therapy and physical therapy, alongside experts in nutrition, neuropsychology, neuropharmacology, Parkinson’s nursing and social work. Housed in one physical location and overseen by a specialized Parkinson’s disease clinic coordinator, patients and families will be able to interact with their various care providers during one visit. Our ultimate goal is to make navigating comprehensive care simple and straightforward. 

We know that providing the best care possible for patients today is only one piece of the puzzle. Our clinicians, scientists and educators are also invested in improving the future of care and treatment for Parkinson’s disease. We accomplish this in two ways: by educating the next generation of highly skilled neurologists, advanced practice providers, nurses and allied health professionals who will be ready to treat future patients; and by engaging in innovative and translational research to find better treatment options and, maybe one day, a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

UC Davis Health is proud to partner with collaborators within the Sacramento community and beyond to improve care and seek better treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. Our physicians, nurses, and staff participate in activities such as Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day, Parkinson’s Association of Northern California (PANC) Annual Education Conference, and more. We are honored to be designated as a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. This prestigious award reflects UC Davis Health’s deep expertise across disciplines and our commitment to high-quality and comprehensive care for our patients.