National VA Parkinson's Disease Consortium

The National VA Parkinson's Disease Consortium:

History & Mission

Our Mission…

To support the provision of optimal care for veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders through professional education, collaboration and advocacy.

The National VA Parkinson’s Disease Consortium was established in 2003 as a means to broaden the impact of the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) and encourage the delivery of modern Parkinson’s disease management across the collective VA Healthcare System. While the PADRECCs serve as Centers of Excellence, the Consortium aims to revolutionize clinical care at unique VA Medical Centers via professional education, collaboration, and peer support. All VA clinicians, including movement disorder specialists, neurologists, gerontologists, general internists, practitioners, and other allied health professionals, are invited and encouraged to join in this paramount campaign. Membership grants access to valuable resources and educational materials, such as the bimonthly electronic update and research review titled “The Transmitter”.

The Consortium was commenced in April 2003 with a national conference in Miami, Florida titled “Novel Concepts and Management Strategies in Parkinson's Disease”. Approximately 75 VA clinicians selected from the PADRECC service areas were invited to attend the conference as Consortium charter members. The concept of a “Consortium Center Network” was devised during the 2006 Advisory meeting and launched during the inaugural conference in Philadelphia from September 21-22, 2006. A third national conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in September 2008, solidifying the purpose and impact of the Network through the provision of education and professional networking.

The 50 established Consortium Centers ensure accessibility and continuity of specialized care for veterans afflicted by parkinsonism, regardless of locality. These Centers offer movement disorder clinics staffed by a movement disorder specialist or neurology clinician and are supported by the PADRECCs through administrative assistance, professional collaboration, and training/educational offerings. Together, the PADRECCs and Consortium Centers create a hub and spoke model of care that is thus far unprecedented in the VA system. Veterans who cannot access direct care at a PADRECC facility can be evaluated and treated at the closest Consortium Center in their region. Click here for more information on how to make a referral/appointment at a Consortium Center.

The National VA Parkinson’s Disease Consortium has evolved as a distinguished society of VA providers who are deeply committed to veterans living with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Our mission has been intensified through the establishment of the Consortium Center Network and national migration of state-of-the-art movement disorders care throughout the healthcare system. The PADRECCs and Consortium proudly promote the VA as an influential leader in the Parkinson arena.

Consortium Center Refferal List /  Membership & Consortium Center Designation / Movement Disorder Series / Resource Request Form / Grant Opportunities /  Education & Clinical Resources / The Monthly Transmitter / 2008 Conference Presentations / Consortium Newsletters /  Consortium Brochures 

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