New APDA Center at University of Miami Expands Services to Southern Florida Parkinson’s Disease Community,
Including Underserved Spanish-Speaking Population
March 29, 2021 – The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), the largest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) across the country through a network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, announces today the opening of a new APDA I&R Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The Center will serve the South Florida area, from Palm Beach Gardens to Miami, with a special focus on the Spanish-speaking community. The I&R Center joins APDA’s South Florida Chapter in serving people with PD in Southern Florida.
The APDA Information & Referral Center will provide additional resources to enhance outstanding programs and services already being offered. Each APDA I&R Center is a community resource that provides guidance to people with PD, their care partners, and families at all stages of the disease. The APDA I&R Center operates a telephone helpline accessible to people with PD, family members, healthcare professionals, and other community members. The Center serves as a vital resource of information regarding PD, current therapies, and emerging research, as well as opportunities for accessing local clinical trials for PD.
There are now 20 APDA I&R Centers in the network and each one has a trained coordinator that connects people with local social service agencies and services that support people with PD and their families. George Dumenigo, LCSW, a clinical social worker and community outreach coordinator, has been appointed as the APDA I&R Coordinator. Mr. Dumenigo is bilingual and able to assist the Spanish-speaking PD community, who are often underserved when it comes to PD resources and care.
“We are the boots-on-the-ground. APDA is providing programs and services in the local communities and we are helping people every step of the way along their PD journey,” states Leslie A. Chambers, President & CEO, APDA. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine so we can reach more people and expand our services in South Florida, especially our resources and services in Spanish. We’re thankful to Dr. Ihtsham ul Haq and the Department of Neurology for helping make this alliance come to life.”
Each APDA I&R Center also has a Medical Director who provides oversight and direction for the overall success of the Center. Serving in this role is Henry Moore, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Miller School and Director of Movement Disorders at Palm Beach County, Co-Director of Neurology Clinic at UHealth Boca Raton. “Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can be very overwhelming” states Dr. Moore. “We are pleased to work on this new center so together we can help more people impacted with Parkinson’s live life to the fullest.”
To reach the APDA Information & Referral Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, please contact: GDumenigo@med.miami.edu or 305-243-1865
To find other APDA Chapters and I&R Centers across the country, please visit the APDA website.
About the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the more than 1 million people in the US with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $207 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org
