History and Network

History

When Mrs. Jeanne C. Levey founded the National Parkinson Foundation prior to 1957,* little was known about Parkinson's disease. For 22 years, until her death at age 92, Jeanne Levey nurtured NPF and watched it grow, as more and more persons became involved with and benefited from the work of the Foundation. In just a few years the annual budget grew to a whopping $50,000. In 1979, the Board of Directors faced the challenge of replacing Mrs. Levey, and it turned to Nathan Slewett. Mr. Slewett, a successful businessman and attorney, had been a member of the Board for several years. At the age of 66, Mr. Slewett agreed to become President and, later, Chairman of the Board of NPF. Mr. Slewett served as Chairman Emeritus until his death in 2010.

NPF’s Center of Excellence Network

 

At the core of NPF is the Center of Excellence network, 43 leading medical centers around the globe that deliver care to more than 50,000 Parkinson’s patients. Through this network, the National Parkinson Foundation works to create a community of health care professionals dedicated to improving clinical care in Parkinson’s disease. Together, we are dedicated to promoting our passionate belief that the best care is a comprehensive approach that addresses the whole person and the full range of symptoms of the disease. Each Center must meet rigorous criteria for research, comprehensive care delivery, professional education and patient outreach services. Each Center must:

  • See at least 700 unique Parkinson’s patients clinically within a 12 month period, including at least 400 idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients. We believe that a critical mass of patients is needed in order for health care professionals to be expert in delivering care, particularly in a multifaceted, chronic disease such as Parkinson’s.
  • Provide access, either on-site or through affiliation, to a comprehensive care team offering exemplary Parkinson’s care across the full spectrum of patient issues, including motor, non-motor, and cognitive.
  • Employ neurologists with training in movement disorders or a specialization in Parkinson’s disease, with adequate patient-neurologist coverage ratio.
  • Employ a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, patient and family support services (social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist or other trained therapist).
  • Provide access to a neurosurgery team with demonstrated best outcomes (either on-site or through close affiliation). Support services for hospitalized patients, including in-patient facility and coordinated care plan.
  • Demonstrate commitment to clinical training through clinical fellowships, other specialty training programs and/or community provider education.
  • Promote access to wellness and exercise programs and facilitate educational events for patients and families.
  • Provide patients and families with access to current information about Parkinson’s disease.
  • Actively participate in clinical research, including investigator initiated research.
  • Provide patients access to experimental therapies through robust participation in clinical trials.

In 2009, NPF initiated its Quality Improvement Initiative (QII). Starting with 6 centers in 2009 and expanding to 18 centers by mid-year 2010, QII is becoming an important way that NPF connects with the centers. The project is fostering a special bond among the participating centers and is both raising awareness about the diverse approaches to the treatment of Parkinson's disease and the impact these have on outcomes.

NPF brings all Centers together at least annually to provide updates on care activities and research initiatives and provides funding so that the medical director and nurse coordinator of each Center can participate. Each Center of Excellence must re-certify every three years. This process includes a review of achievements by a peer-review committee as well as NPF staff.

Search for a Center in your area.

 

* The original incorporation of NPF was done sometime prior to 1957 by Order of a Circuit Court in Dade County, Florida, by means of a petition that was then permitted under Florida law. Regrettably, the record of that original incorporation was lost in a flood at the Dade County Courthouse, and no copies have been located. In 1957 NPF filed its Charter with the Secretary of State of Florida in Tallahassee and obtained a State charter. Because that is the only filing of which there remains an official record, NPF uses 1957 as its date of incorporation rather than the earlier, undetermined date.


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