[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO THE PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS CENTER

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor the 
Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders Center established at Kings 
County Medical Center and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. This center 
has been critical as a research, outreach and comprehensive care center 
for many constituents in Brooklyn and the New York region.
  The Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders Center was created with 
the intention of providing patients and medical personnel with the 
proper understanding of this disease with a focus on treatment. This 
center has two locations that are being recognized: Kings County 
Medical Center and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. At SUNY Medical the 
capabilities of this center include two attending physicians, a 
clinical trials coordinator, research fellows and assistants led by Dr. 
Ivan Bodis-Wollner, Dr. Marta San Luciano and the center coordinator 
Dr. S. Glazman. Patient Advocate, Mrs. Aida Torres, and Head Nurse, 
Mrs. Patricia Craig RN, provide invaluable support to the clinic as it 
provides tertiary care for Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders.
  Under the direction of Dr. Bodis-Wollner and Dr. San Luciano, SUNY 
Medical Center has been able to focus on the education and treatment 
options for this disease. Tests include CT scan, MRI, PET scan, EMG/
Nerve conduction studies, EEG, laboratory tests, cardiovascular, 
pulmonary and gastrointestinal function tests, speech and swallow 
evaluation, and genetics testing.
  Kings County Medical Center is undergoing similar work at its 
Parkinson's Disease Center of Excellence. Kings County Hospital Center 
was the first ever public hospital in the world to be designated as a 
Center of Excellence by the National Parkinson Foundation and selected 
by the National Institutes of Health for exploring neuroprotection, a 
form of therapy which aims to slow the progression of the disease. The 
main goal in mind is to provide tertiary care for all patients and help 
to adjust their lives so that living with the long-term effects of 
Parkinson's disease is easier.
  The Kings County Medical Center support staff work tirelessly to 
offer quality specialty services for the health needs of Central 
Brooklyn's diverse communities and neighborhoods. The Center of 
Excellence is another example of this service that goes above and 
beyond the patient care that is needed.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Parkinson's Disease and 
Related Disorders Center of Kings County and SUNY Downstate Medical 
Centers for their continued work in this field.

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