Nicole Leith

MONTH IN REVIEW | February 2024

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Our calendars are filling up for 2024!

Be sure to check out the list of exciting events below! We look forward to seeing you at many of these events.

We’d also like to say congratulations to Dr. Emily Forbes on her continued funding from the Huntington’s Disease Society of America for the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center Huntington’s Disease Clinic.

The Parkinson’s Foundation recently published its 2023 annual report. We are excited to be a part of such important work and continue to enjoy our partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation. We look forward to continuing to work with the Parkinson’s Foundation in 2024.

The Movement Disorders faculty and fellow spent time in February giving didactic lectures to the Neurology residents on campus. Education is very important to our team and we enjoy sharing with learners!

Dr. Michael Korsmo discussed his PD Visit Helper during his “What Your Doctor Really Wants to Know” presentation at our 10th Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium. Just for you, here is a copy of his PD Visit Helper for you to fill out and take to your next appointment!

Upcoming Events

Parkinson’s Foundation Revolution Denver
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 12:30 PM
Parkinson’s Foundation
CycleBar Southwest Plaza
Come see us at the Parkinson’s Foundation fundraiser. We’ll be cheering on riders and giving out some goodies!
Learn more here.

From Dependent to Independent: Treatment Options for Essential Tremor
Friday, March 3, 2024, 3:00 p.m. MST
Insightec
Virtual Event
We invite you to join Dr. Drew Kern of the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center for a patient-centered educational even. During this event, Dr. Kern will address the treatment options tailored specifically to individuals with Essential Tremor.
Register here.

2024 Drag Queen Bingo (HDSA Rocky Mountain Chapter Fundraiser)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 7:00 p.m. MDT
HDSA Rocky Mountain Chapter
Hamburger Mary’s 1336 East 17th Avenue, Denver, CO
Register here.

Navigating Advancing Needs

Saturday, June 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. MDT
Parkinson’s Foundation
Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80246
Join MDC faculty and other speakers at this event! Navigating Parkinson’s disease involves looking ahead, learning and adjusting as symptoms and needs change. This program addresses some of the challenges of advancing PD and explores strategies to prepare for the future, including how to evolve you care plans and treatments throughout progression so you can live you best life with PD now.
Register here.

In the News

In the News

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February 23, 2024

Our calendars are filling up for 2024!

Be sure to check out the list of exciting events below! We look forward to seeing you at many of these events.

We’d also like to say congratulations to Dr. Emily Forbes on her continued funding from the Huntington’s Disease Society of America for the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center Huntington’s Disease Clinic.

The Parkinson’s Foundation recently published their 2023 Annual report. We are excited to be a part of such important work and continue to enjoy our partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation. We look forward to continuing to work with the Parkinson’s Foundation in 2024!

The Movement Disorders faculty and fellow spent time in February giving didactic lectures to the Neurology residents on campus. Education is very important to our team and we enjoy sharing with learners!

Dr. Michael Korsmo discussed his PD Visit Helper during his “What Your Doctor Really Wants to Know” presentation at our 10th Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium. Just for you, here is a copy of his PD Visit Helper for you to fill out and take to your next appointment!

Are you interested in supporting the education of our fellows? Learn more, including how, by visiting our Fund-a-Fellow page.

Upcoming Events

Parkinson’s Foundation Revolution Denver
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 12:30 PM
Parkinson’s Foundation
CycleBar Southwest Plaza
Come see us at the Parkinson’s Foundation fundraiser. We’ll be cheering on riders and giving out some goodies!
Learn more here.

From Dependent to Independent: Treatment Options for Essential Tremor
Friday, March 3, 2024, 3:00 p.m. MST
Insightec
Virtual Event
We invite you to join Dr. Drew Kern of the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center for a patient-centered educational even. During this event, Dr. Kern will address the treatment options tailored specifically to individuals with Essential Tremor.
Register here.

2024 Drag Queen Bingo (HDSA Rocky Mountain Chapter Fundraiser)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 7:00 p.m. MDT
HDSA Rocky Mountain Chapter
Hamburger Mary’s 1336 East 17th Avenue, Denver, CO
Register here.

Navigating Advancing Needs

Saturday, June 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. MDT
Parkinson’s Foundation
Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80246
Join MDC faculty and other speakers at this event! Navigating Parkinson’s disease involves looking ahead, learning and adjusting as symptoms and needs change. This program addresses some of the challenges of advancing PD and explores strategies to prepare for the future, including how to evolve your care plans and treatments throughout progression so you can live your best life with PD now.
Register here.

In the News

Here are a few noteworthy articles that were published recently. Some of our faculty have contributed to the articles below. We encourage you to check them out.

MONTH IN REVIEW | January 2024

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We’re looking forward to lots of exciting things in 2024!

Happy New Year! We’re excited to share another year with you through our monthly e-newsletters! We hope that you had a lovely holiday season and a happy start ot 2024.

Congratulations!

We would like to say congratulations to Dr. Alexander Baumgartner who was offered and accepter the NeuroNEXT Fellowship Research Grant. He received a competitive one-year grant from the University of Colorado Rocky Mountain NeuroNEXT for his pilot study. You can read more about Dr. Baumgartner’s research interests here.

Dr. Isabelle Buard, Dr. Matthew Woodward, Dr. Jeanne Feuerstein, and Ying Liu presented posters at the 2023 Parkinson’s Study Group in December 2023.

Welcome, Dr. Aslam!

The Movement Disorders Faculty and staff are excited to welcome Sana Aslam, DO.

She is a board-certified neurologist who specializes in Movement Disorders at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She completed her undergraduate education at Wellesley College and Medical School at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, she completed her Neurology training and a Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation Fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Read more about Dr. Aslam on our Meet the Team! page.

Upcoming Events

Parkinson’s Foundation Revolution Ride

Saturday, February 24, 2024, 12:30 PM
Parkinson’s Foundation
CycleBar Southwest Plaza
Come see us that the Parkinson’s Foundation fundraiser. We’ll be cheering on riders and giving out some goodies!
Learn more here.

From Dependent to Independent: Treatment Options for Essential Tremor

This series of talks will resume again in March. Please stay tuned for details.

In the News

Here are a few noteworthy articles that were published recently. Some of our faculty have contributed to the articles below. We encourage you to check them out!

Research

The MDC Faculty regularly publish articles in peer-reviewed journals. Some of these may not be available to read without a subscription. But, these listings will let you know what the faculty have been working on lately!

  • Cristini J, Potvin-Desrochers A, Seo F, Dagher A, Postuma RB, Rosa-Neto P, Carrier J, Amara AW, Steib S, Paquette C, Roig M. The Effect of Different Types of Exercise on Sleep Quality and Architecture in Parkinson Disease: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol. Phys Ther. 2024 Jan 1;104(1):pzad073. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzad073. PMID: 37354450; PMCID: PMC10776310.

Have you considered participating in clinical research?

Did you know…

  • all of the current therapies we have came from clinical trials?
  • people in clinical trials tend to have better clinical outcomes? (This could be because they are more closely observed by a expert clinician, the placebo effect, or because it inspires hope.)
  • the Movement Disorders Center has interventional and observational trials? This means we have studies that offer therapies for movement disorders and we have studies where clinicians monitor the progress of diseases with no therapy offered.

If you are interested in learning more, reach out to our research recruitment team at NeuroResearch@cuanschutz.edu or 303-724-4644.

Current Research
Join Database
Research Catalog

MONTH IN REVIEW | July 2023

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One of the best things about July is welcoming the newest Movement Disorders Fellows. Dr. Ondrea Timmermann and Dr. Bridget Ollesch started their training at the beginning of the month. 

Dr. Timmermann was born and grew up in West Virginia. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in biology from Alderson Broaddus University and her medical degree from West Virginia School of Medicine. She then moved to Illinois to complete her residency where she realized her interest in movement disorders. To meet her aspiration of becoming a movement disorders expert, she finds herself in Colorado to continue her education and training. 

Dr. Ollesch was born in central Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree in religious studies at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She then completed her medical school at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois. She left the Midwest to complete her residency at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is excited to continue her training in Movement Disorders at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Ondrea Timmermann

Are you interested in supporting the education of our fellows? Learn more, including how, by visiting our Fund-a-Fellow page.

Summer is well underway now; we hope you are enjoying the warm weather safely. The faculty and staff of the Movement Disorders Center have been busy planning exciting events for later this summer and this fall.

Are you interested in receiving our once-monthly newsletter?

Subscribe here!

MONTH IN REVIEW | June 2023

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Subscribe to MDC eNews

Congratulations to our 2023 Movement Disorders Fellowship Graduates!

Congratulations to Dr. Heather Heiser and Dr. Antonia Pusso for completing their Movement Disorders Fellowship. Dr. Heiser will be starting practice as a movement disorder and general neurologist in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Pusso will be continuing her training with a Palliative Fellowship at the University of Colorado. We wish them the best of luck in their next journey and look forward to hearing all of the great things they are doing.

Dr. Brooke Heffernan and Dr. Matthew Woodward have been promoted to their second year of fellowship and we are excited to welcome two new first-year fellows on July 5, 2023. Be sure to welcome Dr. Ollesch and Dr. Timmerman if you see them in the clinic.

We also want to send congratulations to Dr. Michelle Fullard who has been awarded the NIH K-12 Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health. This prestigious, two-year award is designed to support junior faculty who are interested in a career in women’s health research. Way to go, Dr. Fullard!

Finally, congratulations to Dr. Jeanne Feuerstein and Dr. Matthew Wooward for their poster presentation at the Samuel Belzberg 6th International Dystonia Symposium.

We invite you to help the Movement Disorders Center honor 10 years of providing our annual education day to the Parkinson’s community by joining the faculty and staff this fall.

Our free, hybrid event will be on Saturday, October 28 from 9:00 am-2:00 pm and the Anschutz Health Sciences Building or virtually via Zoom. The event is designed for people with Parkinson’s disease, care partners, and families. Healthcare professionals and anyone interested in learning more about Parkinson’s Disease are welcome.

The symposium is given by a team of experts and aims to update the community about Parkinson’s disease. We are excited to have some of our agenda announced on our event page. You’ll also find a link to register.

One of the ways we are celebrating our anniversary is by creating a top ten list of things that people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners wish they knew sooner. We’d love to hear from you! Enter your answers via our event page and we’ll create an anonymous list of the top ten answers.

All of this information and links can be found on our event page. Click the button below to view the page.

10th Annual PD Symposium

MONTH IN REVIEW | May 2023

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May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month!

The University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center will host its annual Huntington’s Disease Education Day on October 7, 2023. More details will come soon. Follow our Facebook page to learn more.

On May 17, the MDC hosted its annual Research Retreat. Each year, the Movement Disorders Center brings together basic science researchers and clinical researchers to discuss the research going on for Movement Disorders across campus and across the state of Colorado. Many of these projects are still underway, but we look forward to sharing results with you when we are able.

As we move into summer, we look forward to seeing the Movement Disorders Community at many great, annual events.

Subscribe!
May Newsletter

MONTH IN REVIEW | April 2023

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Our e-newsletter is back! You can subscribe here and you can read the April 2023 newsletter now.

In April, the Movement Disorders Center hosted Beatriz Nielsen, PhD for an Interdisciplinary talk to our faculty and staff. Dr. Nielsen received the Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship for Basic Scientists.

The Movement disorders neurologist attended the American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting in Boston or virtually. This is an opportunity for neurologists to come together and learn from each other. The conference highlights topics such as interesting research and upcoming therapies. Dr. Kern, Dr. Fullard, and Dr. Holden presented at this year’s conference. Our providers also use this as a chance to network with their peers from across the country.

In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, thank you to the amazing administrators in the Movement Disorders group – our research coordinators, our schedulers, our clinic management, our extensive research team, and the academic administrative team. Thank you for all that you do!

Some exciting news about the Anschutz Campus – Garage 2 opened on April 26. The garage is for patient parking and is located outside of the Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion. We hope this makes your experience as a patient more enjoyable; we’ve been waiting for the garage to open for a while.

More details are coming soon about our 10th Annual Parkinosn’s Disease Symposium this fall. We look forward to great speakers and fund door prizes.

We are also excited to announce that we have set a date for our annual Huntington’s Disease Education Day. Mark your calendars for October 7, 2023.

The Movement Disorders Center is now on Facebook! Follow our page to learn about Movement Disorders news as it happens.

Subscribe!
April Newsletter!

2023 World Parkinson Disease Day

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April 11 is World Parkinson Disease Day. The faculty and staff at the University of Colorado are proud to work with the Parkinson Community. While patient care is a large part of our care for the Parkinson’s community, there is a lot more they do outside of the clinic.

The Anschutz Medical Campus is a training facility for upcoming medical providers. Our faculty participates in the education of young medical students and residents. Additionally, we have a movement disorders fellowship program to train the next generation of movement disorders neurologists. In addition to becoming part of our own faculty, these trainees have gone on to serve movement disorders communities in underserved areas and continue clinical research in their own practices. You can learn more about our program and its importance by visitng our Fund-a-Fellow page.

Our faculty are also leading research to find new therapies or better understand Parkinson disease. This research can include trials of potential new medications or devices. It also includes research projects initiated by our own faculty that help patients and care partners. If you are interested in learning more about our research, we have a research catalog and a research website for you to view. If you are interested in participating in clinical research, contact our research recruitment team. Many resources are available in English and Spanish.
e-mail: NeuroResearch@cuanschutz.edu
phone: 303-724-4644
webform

In 2022, our faculty provided 64 formal talks to patients, care partners, medical providers, and medical learners. These talks were regional, national, and international. Our faculty finds so much value in providing access to updated information to the Parkinson’s community to help them take control of their health. If you are interested in having someone speak to your group, please reach out to movement@ucdenver.edu.

In addition, we will host our 10th Annual Parkinson Disease Symposium on October 28, 2023. Follow our Facebook page for updated details. You can look for an event page on our website soon. We look forward to an informational and exciting day with many special extras this year.

The University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center looks forward to continuing these missions in 2023 and beyond. We look forward to connecting with you.

Intradepartmental Grant Winners

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Congratulations to Dr. Jeanne Feuerstein and Dr. Emily Forbes who received the 2022-23 Neurology Intradepartmental Grant Award this year. Since 2016, the University of Colorado Department of Neurology has provided funding to junior faculty to protect their time to develop new research concepts. This award funding lasts for one year.

Previous winners from the movement disorders group include Dr. Michelle Fullard, Dr. Drew Kern, Dr. Christina Vaughan, and Dr. Isabelle Buard.

Congratulations, Dr. Feuerstein and Dr. Forbes!

Transitions

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The Movement Disorders Center is growing again! A handful of providers have moved on from our center for various personal reasons, including retirement and spouses being transferred to new positions. But we are excited to welcome new faculty to our group.

The faculty and staff at the center continue to be dedicated to improving the lives of people with movement disorders.

We announced in our newsletter that Dr. Alex Baumgartner and Dr. Michael Korsmo will be graduating from our fellowship program and will be joining us as faculty in August. Both bring niched areas of expertise that will help round out our center.

Dr. Baumgartner will be joining Dr. Kern as part of our advanced therapies and deep brain stimulation (DBS) team in the operating room. In the past few years, the number of DBS surgeries performed yearly has nearly doubled. The team has recently added a new neurosurgeon and more programmers as well. Dr. Baumgartner will see patients in the clinic at the Anschutz Medical Campus and in Lone Tree.

Dr. Korsmo will be expanding our reach to underserved communities. In addition, he will be seeing patients at our main clinic on the Anschutz Medical Campus and at our Boulder clinic.

Dr. Vaughan is expanding her neuro-palliative clinic. Her clinic will now be found at the Anschutz Medical Campus. By moving her clinic, Dr. Vaughan and her patients will have access to more services and resources. Her focus will now be neuro-palliative care; the main difference is that she will not be the primary movement disorders specialist for patients. She will still serve the movement disorders community through neuro-palliative care during all stages of diseases. She will still be available to all patients for neuro-palliative care via telehealth.

For more information about neuro-palliative care, you can read our Fall 2021 newsletter.

MDC Receives Parkinson’s Foundation Award

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The University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center received an award from the Parkinson’s Foundation for the Highest Team Participation for the Parkinson’s Foundation Palliative Care Education Course. The award was presented at this year’s COE Leadership Conference and was accepted by Ryan Khan, a chaplain who works closely with our Palliative Care team.

In 2020, the Parkinson’s Foundation launched an initiative to make palliative care a standard practice of care across all Centers of Excellence in the United States. The MDC received the award for being the Center of Excellence (COE) with the most team members who have completed the online Palliative Care Training.

The Movement Disorders Center is honored to receive this award in recognition to our dedication to patient care.