AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES REBECCA GILBERT, MD, PhD, JOINS STAFF AS VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Role designed to shape research strategy to help those impacted by Parkinson’s disease live life to the fullest
NEW YORK, NY – April 9, 2018 – The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) proudly welcomes Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, in the newly-established role of Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer. In this position, Dr. Gilbert will be responsible for APDA’s annual organizational research strategy, planning and funding in conjunction with APDA’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Chairman, Dr. David G. Standaert, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine. Dr. Gilbert will serve as the lead liaison to the SAB and will oversee the research grants program, including funding to APDA’s eight Centers for Advanced Research; as well as the creation, management and ongoing evaluation of all scientific materials and communications, both internal and external to APDA. Additionally she will serve as a medical spokesperson for APDA, providing cutting edge information on treatments, diagnostic evelopments and research progress.
“Dr. Gilbert brings a wealth of practical experience in diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s disease, as well as a strong background in fundamental and clinical science,” commented Dr. Standaert. “I think she is a very valuable addition to the APDA team, and I look forward to working with her to advance all of our missions.”
Prior to joining APDA, Dr. Gilbert was Associate Professor of Neurology at the Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. In this role, she saw movement disorder patients at both NYU and Bellevue Hospital Center, initiated and directed the NYU Movement Disorders Fellowship, participated in clinical trials and other research initiatives for PD, and lectured widely on the disease.
APDA is pleased that Dr. Gilbert will continue to maintain a limited schedule of patients one day a week through Bellevue Hospital Center. By continuing to work with people coping with Parkinson’s, Dr. Gilbert will be able to maintain her important connection to the issues patients and families face as well as stay current with treatments options that help each patient live the best life possible.
“We are excited to have Dr. Gilbert join the APDA team. Her practical and relevant medical knowledge will be critical in allowing APDA to deliver its urgent mission and further solidify APDA’s position as the largest grassroots organization serving the PD community nationwide,” stated Leslie A. Chambers, APDA President & CEO.
Dr. Gilbert is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the Movement Disorders Society (MDS) and the Parkinson Study Group (PSG.) She ran CME courses for the movement disorders division at NYU and has served as an editorial reviewer for the Movement Disorders journal. Dr. Gilbert has been named to New York Super Doctors list every year since 2013 and has made numerous appearances on Doctor Radio discussing PD related topics.
Dr. Gilbert holds an MD from Weill Medical College of Cornell University and earned a PhD in Cell Biology and Genetics from the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences. She completed her Neurology Residency as well as her Movement Disorders Fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
APDA is delighted that Dr. Gilbert will be the featured speaker for APDA’s May Spotlight Webinar/Teleconference program entitled Enhancing Your Communications About Off. This series is one of APDA’s most effective tools to serve the Parkinson’s community and will be held on May 9, 2018, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST. Immediately following the webinar, Dr. Gilbert will moderate a live chat through the Smart Patients platform — an online forum where people with Parkinson’s, their care partners, and families learn from and support each other. (Smart Patients is an APDA partner.) The moderated chat is a unique opportunity for the Parkinson’s community to continue the conversation immediately following this program.
About the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to assist the more than 1 million Americans with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $170 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org
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