University of Florida in Gainesville, FL
The Research Center of Excellence is part of the UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases. The Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration Program, part of the Fixel Institute, was founded in 2002 with the vision of creating a world-class clinical-research center to provide a single destination for patients, families, doctors, and researchers. The program currently employs 13 movement disorders specialists, two behavioral neurologists, a geriatrician, and three advanced practice providers, all of whom care for persons with Lewy body disorders and their families.
Drs. Melissa Armstrong, Nikolaus McFarland, Bhavana Patel, Shannon Chiu, and Tracy Tholanikunnel have LBD-focused clinical and research practices. In addition to physician appointments, patients receive on-site specialty-trained physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy (including barium swallow evaluations), usually on the same day as their physician visits. The institute has two on-site clinical case managers for social work needs and dieticians available in clinic or by phone. Neuropsychological testing is available at the institute and nearby at the UF Health Shands Hospital location.
Clinic name: Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases
Appointments Phone number: 352-294-5400
Contact Name: Melissa Himes (clinic manager)
Email Address: Melissa.Himes@neurology.ufl.edu
Contact this person for: Research, resources, support
Contact Name: Noheli Bedenfield
Email Address: Noheli.gamez@neurology.ufl.edu
Phone Number: 352-733-2419
Contact this person for: Marketing/communications
Contact Name: Todd Taylor (Assistant Director of Communications, McKnight Brain Institute)
Email Address: tmtaylor4@ufl.edu
Phone Number: 352-294-8735
Website: Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases at UF Health
Melissa Armstrong, MD, MSc
Dr. Armstrong is the Director of the Mangurian Clinical-Research Headquarters for Lewy Body Dementia at the University of Florida Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases. She is an associate professor in the Department of Neurology and has an affiliate appointment in the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics. Her clinical work and research focus on improving care for persons with Lewy body dementia and their families, including increasing Lewy body dementia awareness, identifying individual priorities for care, and improving end-of-life experiences. She collaborates with the interdisciplinary team at the institute to promote a holistic approach to Lewy body dementia care. Find out more information about Dr. Armstrong’s research efforts click here.
