Newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease patients and those who’ve been living with the condition can benefit from a better understanding of their disease and talking about their experience with someone knowledgeable about the condition.

To help foster personal relationships between patients and sympathetic professionals, Norton Neuroscience Institute participates as a partner in the  Parkinson’s Mentor Program. Patients are paired with doctoral candidates studying physical therapy at Bellarmine University School of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences so both can benefit.

As mentors for one another, patients and students have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships that are mutually educational as well as emotionally and physically beneficial for the patient. Based on clinical research, the program allows students and patients to work together to improve patients’ self-confidence and quality of life, as well as reduce social isolation.

For patients, mentor programs with students can expand their social circle. Students benefit from establishing relationships with Parkinson’s patients and become better acquainted with the realities of living with Parkinson’s disease.

The program runs from September to April, and registration closes in August. If you would like to apply for the program after registration closes, reach out to the contacts below.  Participants meet two to three times per academic semester.

This program is supported by a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Parkinson’s Mentor Program Goals

• Educate physical therapy students on real-world aspects of living with Parkinson’s disease and quality-of-life issues faced by patients.
• Introduce students to research and career opportunities in neurology and movement disorders.
• Provide relationship-building opportunities between students and patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Who Can Participate

Patients

• Individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at any stage and are interested in and committed to interacting with health profession students
• Individuals with Parkinson’s who are independently mobile or have a caregiver who can provide assistance

Bellarmine University Students

• Who are entering their first, second or third year of physical therapy school
• Are in a health profession track or
• Have an interest in interacting and learning more about patients with Parkinson’s disease

Activities can include going to the library, playing board games, taking walks, attending a Parkinson’s meeting or program, exercising, sharing a meal, and attending an art showing or music performance.

This is an educational program, and students are not permitted to provide treatment or medical advice.

For More Information

Supported by

Parkinson’s Support Center of Kentuckiana, a Part of:

Leading the Region in Neurological Care

More patients from Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Neuroscience Institute than any other provider for expertise, innovation and compassion all in one place.

• Norton Healthcare is recognized by U.S. News & World Report on its “Best Hospitals” list as No.1 in the Louisville area, with a “high performing” rating in stroke through Norton Neuroscience Institute.
• You have access to more than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists dedicated exclusively to caring for brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Patients benefit from advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgery technologies that help reduce pain and speed recovery.
• Multidisciplinary clinics bring specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and behavioral health together — giving you coordinated, comprehensive care in a single visit.
• Breakthrough essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease treatment: We are the first health care system in Kentucky  to offer high-frequency focused ultrasound to treat these conditions without any incisions.
• Nationally recognized stroke excellence
• Four Norton Healthcare adult-service hospitals are DNV-certified for stroke care, reflecting the highest standards in rapid treatment and outcomes.
• Four Norton Healthcare adult-service hospitals have earned American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines awards for exceptional stroke care, including multiple Gold Plus and Honor Roll designations.
• Slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease: We are the first health care system in Kentucky to offer lecanemab and a leader nationally in the application of this cutting-edge drug.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has met the high standards to achieve Center for Comprehensive MS Care designation by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a Level 4 center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.