The Cole Center for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders at The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) has been selected to join the Parkinson’s Foundation Global Care Network as a Comprehensive Care Center. The medical center will host a plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate its leadership in providing Parkinson’s care on Friday, September 16, at 2 p.m.

“The Parkinson’s Foundation Comprehensive Care Center designation symbolizes leadership in providing high-quality Parkinson’s care,” said John Lehr, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “UT Medical Center’s Cole Center for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders plays an integral role in advancing care for the one million Americans currently living with Parkinson’s disease.”

The Foundation’s Comprehensive Care Center designation recognizes medical centers that excel in utilizing a specialized, multidisciplinary team approach to provide the highest level of evidence-based, patient-centered care; demonstrate leadership in professional training and conduct impactful patient education and community outreach.

“We are thrilled to receive this designation,” said Christopher Tolleson, MD, MPH, Medical Director of The Cole Center for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders at UTMC. “We are proud to join this larger Parkinson’s network and make a difference in Knoxville and East Tennessee by providing comprehensive care to people living with Parkinson’s.”

The Cole Center is named in honor of the late Robert H. and Monica M. Cole of Knoxville, whose dedication, vision and philanthropic support nurtured the development of neuroscience-related research, education, and patient care programs at UTMC and University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. The Cole Center’s mission is to provide compassionate and quality care for patients with movement disorders using the most up-to-date research and treatments.

For a complete listing of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Centers of Excellence and Comprehensive Care Centers, visit Parkinson.org/Network or call 1-800-4PD-INFO.