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Here is an article that ran today concerning the opening of the center... Evergreen to open Parkinson's aid center Thursday, January 06, 2000 By Judy Ronningen Journal Reporter KIRKLAND -- Evergreen Healthcare plans to open a center for treatment of Parkinson's disease that provides health care, rehabilitation and support services for patients and their families. The Parkinson's Center is scheduled to open in late March inside the brain injury center next door to Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. Parkinson's is a progressive disease that has no cure, but Evergreen Healthcare proposes to offer services to improve the patient's quality of life while dealing with the disease, said Tony McCormick, manager of neurological services. `` Evergreen is saying it's not just about a disease,'' she said. ``First and foremost, it will place the patient and family at the heart of the program.'' Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological condition that has no known cause. It is a disorder in a part of the brain that produces dopamine, which affects voluntary neuromuscular activity, she said. Symptoms of Parkinson's include tremors, inability to control muscles and rigid muscles. About 50,000 people in the Puget Sound area have Parkinson's or similar disorders. The center at Evergreen was developed in partnership with the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, which will provide support and ongoing advice on what Parkinson's patients need. The center will have a doctor trained to deal with Parkinson's and a rehabilitation staff that specializes in neurological problems. There will be a library, education sessions for patients and family, and referrals to other services such as support groups. McCormick said that as the program grows, she hopes to participate in regional and national research on the disease. http://www.eastsidejournal.com/Newsdocs/other/rcm73697.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Bill Bell Executive Director Northwest Parkinson's Foundation 425-746-5556 / [log in to unmask] http://www.nwpf.org