A leader in Tourette care

A leader in Tourette care

By Morgan Sherburne

Tourette Neuro_CNN_Gupta_MCM_3923The UF Health Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration has been designated a Tourette Syndrome Association Center of Excellence. To receive the designation, the UF center formed a consortium with four other medical centers across the Southeastern United States. The Southeast consortium was one of 10 centers in the United States to receive the designation.

“It was a highly competitive process and we were proud to be among the first designated as excellent for Tourette and tic care,” said Irene Malaty, M.D., medical director of the UF Interdisciplinary Tourette Clinic. “The TSA program will allow us to form care networks, increase patient access to services and to provide the best patient-centered care possible.”

The researchers obtained the designation through a grant application. Malaty was the principal investigator for the UF site. Michael S. Okun, M.D., co-director of the UF Health Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, was the principal investigator for the consortium grant. The Tourette Syndrome Association sought centers that provided interdisciplinary care for patients with Tourette syndrome, including treatment from neurologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and physical and occupational therapists. Centers were also evaluated for their proficiency, dedication to research and access to new therapies, such as deep brain stimulation.

“It is important to recognize that this designation is a move toward improving care, access and research for patients with Tourette syndrome,” Okun said. “Previous to these designations, there was no way to strategically develop models of care and research collaborations across the United States. We are proud to have been designated on the first round of these grants.”