Doctors at the University of Florida say they want to change the health care system. And the opening of the Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration is a big step toward that goal.
Today a special guest with a personal motivation was on-hand to celebrate the opening of a facility that's the first of it's kind.
Former US Attorney General Janet Reno toured the center today with her sister Maggy Hurchalla to celebrate the grand opening of the state of the art 10,000 square foot comprehensive care center, housed in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.
Both are advocates for those dealing with Parkinson's, a degenerative neurological disease, from which Reno herself suffers.
Hurchalla said, "Having people who've seen it all...who know how it affects different people at different times with different interactions and things is just fantastic."
This approach combines evaluation, clinical care, research and specialists all in one place. Because they say the patient is the sun, and every part of treatment should revolve around them.
Co-Director of the center Dr. Michael Okun said, "You walk in the door and you get access to multiple specialties who are working together side by side, not only to help treat you, but also to bring you the hope of the future and the research."
Within the first few minutes of entering the center, each patient takes a walk down this hallway. Their gate and balance is analyzed, which is a critical part of their care. Okun said, "We will tailor the types of therapies, depending on what your symptoms and what your needs are ...we're very sensitive that everybody has a different challenge."
That tailored approach will prescribe neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychology, physical therapy and even dance therapy, to those dealing with movement disorders like Dystonia and Parkinson's. The integration of care and research will treat symptoms, while actively working towards cures.
It's an approach that Hurchalla calls an inspiration. She said, "The fact of making it livable. The fact of making it something that you can live longer and happier and better with."
A simple concept, that the university hopes the rest of the world will take notice of.
Almost 13,000 patients have visited the center within the last year. Directors say the center's new home will dramatically increase that number and the quality of the experience.