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Comprehensive Movement Disorders CenterAbout Our CenterAt the University at Buffalo Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, located at Sterling Medical Park, 200 Sterling Drive, Suite 300, in Orchard Park, New York, patients receive highly specialized, individualized care from the UBNS movement disorders team. The team consists of a fellowship-trained neurologist, a neurosurgical registered nurse, an experienced social worker, and a neurosurgeon with more than 20 years of experience conducting Parkinson's research and performing stereotaxic neurosurgery. Our patients have access to a library of educational materials free of charge; appropriate referrals as needed; social work services and caregiver support; and current medications, procedures, drug studies, and surgical treatment from our expert team. We provide ongoing patient support and communication, including urgent follow-up appointments if needed. Patients are given detailed instructions by our staff on drug or dosage changes throughout their treatment. Our multidisciplinary movement disorders program specializes in the evaluation and treatment of:
Our ApproachOur center provides comprehensive patient care that considers not just the physical, but also the mental and emotional needs of our patients and their families. We address all patient concerns with respect, patience, compassion, and understanding. What Sets Us Apart
Our team spends as much time as is necessary to properly and thoroughly assess each patient's needs in order to devise and recommend the best course of treatment for that individual. We offer the most innovative treatment options, and hold the distinction of being the only practice in Western New York to offer deep brain stimulation to treat tremor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and multiple sclerosis. That means the same team familiar with your condition and treatment also implants and programs your device. We know your symptoms and manage your medications, making the programming process just an extension of your treatment. UBNS is also the most experience provider of intratheacal baclofen therapy (ITB) in the area. We currently treat the over 200 intratheacal baclofen pump patients, and performed approximately 1150 pump refills in 2008. What to ExpectAt their initial appointment, patients are first introduced to the movement disorders team before undergoing an in-depth interview, history, and exam with a fellowship trained movement disorders neurologist. Our staff then reviews with each patient the various educational materials and support services available, such as the Parkinson's Wellness Group. We encourage open dialogue to address any ongoing concerns, and supply each patient with an "Educare Portfolio"-a comprehensive health journal to help our team stay well-informed of our patients' health care issues and progress. The portfolio contains:
Patients are encouraged to bring their portfolio to every medical appointment to ensure that all health care practitioners are informed of the patient's comprehensive medical history. TreatmentsUBNS offers patients the most current medications for the treatment of movement disorders, including:
We participate in the most appropriate experimental protocols for the surgical and medical management of movement disorders. Surgical management consists of thalamic deep brain stimulator implants and thalamotomy for control of tremor secondary to Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and multiple sclerosis tremor, and subthalamic deep brain stimulator implants and pallidotomy control for bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and dyskinesias secondary to Parkinson's disease. Surgical procedures are performed by Dr. Robert Plunkett, who specializes in stereotaxic procedures. Programs and ServicesThe UBNS movement disorders team believes in a holistic approach to patient care. Members of the team are certified by the National Parkinson's Foundation to provide supportive services to Parkinson's disease patients and their families, including:
Our professional staff also acts as advisors to the Parkinson's Association of Western New York (PAWNY), which runs five branches of their Parkinson's Wellness Group throughout the WNY region. These wellness groups offer patients and caregivers ongoing education and supportive programs, and activities to maintain neuromuscular function. PAWNY also holds an annual patient education symposium, and various social activities and events, including an annual golf tournament and a Valentine's Day dance, to encourage interaction within the local Parkinson's community. For more information about our supportive services or the Parkinson's Wellness Group, including meeting places and times, visit www.parkinsonswny.com, or contact Evalyn Katz, LCSW at (716) 218-1027 or ekatz@ubns.com. Meet our TeamThe UBNS movement disorders team, operating out of the University at Buffalo Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, is comprised of individuals all expertly trained to treat movement disorders using the most current medical and surgical treatments and procedures available.
Dr. Plunkett, a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine, completed his residency training in neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Hospital. Prior to coming to the University at Buffalo, Dr. Plunkett spent four years as a senior staff fellow at the National Institutes of Health where he studied tissue implantation as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. Since coming to Buffalo, he established stereotaxic surgery at Buffalo General Hospital, and helped form the Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center at the same hospital. Dr. Plunkett performs surgical procedures to implant intrathecal baclofen pumps to treat spasticity and to implant deep brain stimulators to treat Parkinson's disease. His laboratory efforts involve the implantation of genetically modified cells as potential therapy for Parkinson's disease. "I was fortunate to have found my calling while conducting a research project involving Parkinson's and observing the dramatic results of treatment during my fellowship at the NIH. To this day, the most rewarding part of my work is seeing the remarkable change in my patients' quality of life over the course of their treatment here at the center. As our research and treatments advance with time and effort, I think we will be able to manage movement disorders more effectively, perhaps halting the progression of and even curing the disease surgically."
Dr. Trinidad is a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine. She completed her residency and a two year fellowship in movement disorders and experimental therapeutics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Dr. Trinidad has authored manuscripts, performed research, and lectured on a variety of movement disorders. Her clinical practice focuses on advanced movement disorders and interventional therapies, including deep brain stimulation, botulinum toxin therapies, and intrathecal medication. She is the principal investigator for research studies of various new medications in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and is a member of the International Movement Disorders Society. "I learn so much from our patients, who endure the challenges of everyday life with Parkinson's. We treat our patients at the center as individuals, and we take a team approach by getting to know each patient's family as we help them more effectively manage their lives. Our patients inspire me to look at the world differently, and for that I'm grateful and inspired to do what I do."
Patricia Weigel is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College and brings considerable experience to her job as clinical nurse coordinator. She has advanced training and several years experience in patient education and in the management of deep brain stimulation programs. Patricia is also CEO and co-leader of the Parkinson's Wellness Group of Western New York, the director of the annual Parkinson's disease education symposium, and co-leader of the "Powerful Tools for Caregiver" classes. Pat has recently completed interdisciplinary allied team training for Parkinson's disease with the National Parkinson's Foundation. She also acts as an RN surgical first assistant in the operating room, and is a member of the local and national Neuroscience Nurses Association. Currently, she is co-investigator for two ongoing studies on new medications for Parkinson's disease. "When you care about someone with Parkinson's disease, you get to know patients and their families on a personal level. I feel part of a team that truly cares about each patient and makes a real difference in people's lives. Nothing compares to that satisfaction."
Evalyn Katz, LCSW-R Evalyn Katz has more than 20 years of experience as a medical social worker. She joined the UBNS team in September 2007 to provide supportive services to patients and their families as part of the Comprehensive Movement Disorder Center's commitment to treat not only the medical, but also the psycho-social aspects of chronic illness. In her role, Evalyn facilitates patient and caregiver support, and assists in the management of social, educational, and wellness activities available to our patients through the Parkinson's Association of Western New York (PAWNY). Multidisciplinary CollaborationAt the Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, the UBNS team regularly collaborates with a multidisciplinary group of specialized medical professionals, including:
Thomas Guttuso Jr, MD Dr. Guttuso is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and completed his neurology residency and 3-year fellowship in experimental therapeutics/movement disorders at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Dr. Guttuso devotes most of his time to clinical research on Parkinson's disease and menopausal symptoms. His patient care focuses on Parkinson's disease, tremor disorders, dystonia, spasticity, and administration of botulinum toxin injections.
David G. Lichter, MB, ChB, FRACP Dr. Lichter received his medical degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1977 and was admitted to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1984. Following a residency in neurology and a fellowship in movement disorders at the University of Rochester, New York, he joined the faculty of the Department of Neurology, SUNY at Buffalo, in 1989. At that time, he founded the Tourette syndrome clinic at the Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and established the first movement disorders clinic at the UB University Physician's office. This clinic was then relocated to Buffalo General Hospital in 1995. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the Movement Disorders Society, and the American Neuropsychiatric Association.
Richard A. Stockton, PhD Dr. Stockton received his PhD in physiology and neurobiology from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine. He spent two years as a post-doctoral fellow in clinical neurophysiology, and over a decade as a laboratory scientist studying normal and abnormal functioning in nerve cells of the retina and other areas of the brain. Currently, Dr. Stockton is the head of the neurodiagnostic laboratory and the intraoperative neurophysiology service at the Buffalo General Hospital, and serves as chief of clinical neurophysiology for the UB Department of Ophthalmology. He is also on the faculty of the UB School of Medicine in the Departments of Anesthesiology, Physiology, and Ophthalmology. As a member of the deep brain stimulation (DBS) team, Dr. Stockton performs the intraoperative brain cell recordings that guide the placement of the of the DBS electrodes.
Mark W. Gunther, PhD Dr. Gunther is a clinical neuropsychologist and assistant professor of clinical neurology and psychiatry. After receiving his doctoral degree from Michigan State University in 1994, he completed a postdoctoral residency in neuropsychology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is the staff neuropsychologist for the comprehensive epilepsy program, where he is involved in the pre- and post-operative evaluation of epilepsy surgery patients. Working closely with the Department of Neurosurgery, he is also involved in the examination of Parkinson's patients before and after the implantation of DBS electrodes. Patients' StoriesMargaret has had Parkinson's disease with severe tremor for 18 years. She lives with her sister, who is her primary caregiver. Before her surgery, everyday activities were simply not an option. Her disease progressed to the point that her medications worked only 15 minutes out of the 2 hours she needed to wait between doses. At first, she would feel her tremor begin to stop and then she would regain the ability to move, allowing her to try to perform certain tasks she enjoyed, like baking a cake. She would gather, measure, and mix the ingredients, but would soon feel her medication wear off. Margaret would have to walk over to a chair to sit down, or if she waited too long and could not make it, she would lie down on the kitchen floor. After working with the UBNS movement disorders team, it was apparent than the best treatment for Margaret was a surgical treatment called deep brain stimulation. She decided to have surgery, and within a couple of months, she was able to participate in the normal activities that she had not been able to do in many years. She now takes walks in her neighborhood, turning the heads of neighbors who had not seen Margaret move about in over a decade. Her friends will call, and now her sister has to take messages when she is outside raking the leaves or washing the car. She can also complete the entire task of baking a cake, including the frosting, without interruption.
Three months after having a Gamma Knife
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Each member of the UBNS movement disorders team is a trained professional with expertise and passion for treating Parkinson's disease and other chronic movement disorders. We treat the entire course of Parkinson's, and take pride in the level of care we offer for early, middle, and advanced stages of the disease.
Marien had lived with her hand tremor for
Jason chose to have deep brain stimulation to treat his Parkinson's disease. His major problem had been severe dyskinesia (involuntary flailing movement of the body) that prevented him from being able to stand still. Since his surgery, he can play basketball again and go fishing with his son. Best of all, he once again feels comfortable going out in public, and is pleased to report his plans to return to teaching handicapped children.
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