Stony Brook Medicine’s Parkinson’s Centers have received a two-year Information and Referral Center Innovative Project Award totaling $150,000 from the American Parkinson Disease Association, according to an April 8 announcement. The grant is intended to support innovative, community-centered care for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
The funding aims to address the needs of individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease in Long Island and surrounding areas. Stony Brook Medicine supports over 600 patients annually through its centers at Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
“This award reflects the incredible dedication and innovation of our teams,” said Dr. Guy Schwartz, director of the Stony Brook Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center and medical director for grant programming. “We currently support over 600 patients annually, and this funding allows us to broaden our reach, strengthen partnerships and deliver meaningful support to individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s across Long Island and beyond.”
Parkinson’s disease is recognized as the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to develop the condition, with about four percent diagnosed before age 50. The American Parkinson Disease Association estimates that one million people in the United States live with PD, with approximately 90,000 new diagnoses each year.
Sarah Cohen, administrator of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Center for Parkinson’s Disease, said: “Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Center for Parkinson’s Disease has annually served approximately 350 participants in person and more than 1,000 participants virtually. This level of participation underscores the growing regional demand for accessible programs, education and support.”
Since 2018, APDA has provided ongoing funding for programs at both hospital centers affiliated with Stony Brook Medicine. The new award will help expand interdisciplinary team efforts by growing programs; increasing services for care partners; reinforcing clinical-community integration; enhancing outreach; adding classes at SBSH; and strengthening partnerships such as that with HOPEFitness.
