Cathi A. Thomas, RN, Named to Inaugural National Parkinson’s Plan Advisory Council
Cathi Thomas, RNCathi A. Thomas, RN, MS, CNRN, assistant professor of neurology, has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to serve on the National Advisory Council on Parkinson’s Research, Care and Services (ACPRCS).
Established under the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, the Council brings together patient advocates, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, nonprofit leaders and federal officials to evaluate and prioritize federally funded Parkinson’s disease research, care, and prevention efforts. Members are tasked with identifying ways to reduce the financial burden of Parkinson’s disease, improve health outcomes and quality of care and address environmental triggers and underlying factors contributing to Parkinson’s disease as well as other neurodegenerative parkinsonism’s.
As Program Director of the BUMC Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center and an onsite American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center, Thomas has collaborated extensively with individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s. She has developed novel programs to support the PD community as well as health care providers across disciplines.
Her research activities have included participation in more than seventy-five clinical research studies focusing on self-management, rehabilitation and new therapies.