Movement Disorders

Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program

The Movement Disorders Program at Butler Hospital specializes in caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, gait disorders, tremors, drug-induced movement disorders, ataxias, dystonias, and other movement disorders.

We provide diagnosis and comprehensive medical management of movement disorders. We offer innovative treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and botulinum toxin.

Contact Information:

Movement Disorders Program at
Butler Hospital
P: (401) 455-6669

Behavioral Health Service Call Center
For appointments or provider referrals contact Care New England’s Behavioral Health Services Call Center 24/7
P: 1 (844) 401-0111

Quick Links and Resources:

Symptoms Include

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders include:

Tremors, particularly in the hands, arms, legs or head
Stiff muscles
Slow movement
Difficulty with balance or walking

Our Specialties

The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program at Butler Hospital specialize in caring for patients with:

Parkinson’s disease
Huntington’s disease
Gait disorders
Tremors
Drug-induced movement disorders
Ataxias
Dystonias
Machado-Joseph Disease and other spinocerebellar ataxias
Other movement disorders

Brain Health

The Movement Disorders Program expands upon Butler Hospital’s leading role as a major brain science research and teaching hospital focused on advancing understanding and developing innovative treatments of brain-based illnesses. We offer specialized psychiatric care, including inpatient, partial hospital and outpatient services.

Our goal in establishing a Movements Disorders Program at Butler Hospital is to foster greater collaboration among neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists in treating the fatigue, depression, and apathy often associated with movement disorders. By leading important research and providing top quality, innovative patient care, the Movement Disorders Program seeks to build better understanding and improve treatments.

Neurology at Kent Hospital

For anyone experiencing a health condition related to the brain, nervous system, or spine, proper and quality care and attention is needed, and the Care New England neurologists are ready to provide an array of services and treatments.

Parkinson’s Disease Information and Referral Center

The Parkinson’s Information and Referral Center at Butler Hospital is the only resource center in Rhode Island sponsored by the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). It serves as a resource for those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their loved ones, and health care providers. This Center’s outreach is available to people statewide and beyond, regardless of their affiliation with Butler Hospital, any other medical facility, or physician. The Center provides current information about Parkinson’s disease and appropriate referrals to resources across the region.

Services provided include:

Free information about Parkinson’s disease
Resource referral network
Phone and email access to a licensed independent clinical social worker to answer your questions
Information about area support groups
Educational programs
Community outreach to provide awareness and education about Parkinson’s disease
Affiliation with the RI Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association

The APDA Information and Referral Center at Butler Hospital is coordinated by Laurie Ann Oliveira, MSW, LICSW, and is under the medical direction of Dr. Joseph H. Friedman, neurologist and movement disorder specialist associated with Brown University.

For more information contact Laurie Ann Oliveira, MSW, LICSW, Program Coordinator at LAoliveira@butler.org or call (401) 455-6337

Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

Outpatient rehabilitation clinics of Spaulding Outpatient Center at Kent Hospital offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy for a variety of conditions including Parkinson’s disease, neuromuscular disorders, such as ALS, and immune conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Spaulding Outpatient Physical Therapy

Meet the Team

Joseph Friedman, MD

A neurologist and recognized expert in Parkinson's disease, Dr. Joseph Friedman is the chief of the Butler Hospital's new Movement Disorders Program.

Victoria C. Chang, MD

Victoria Chang, MD, completed her residency in neurology at Brown and a two-year fellowship in movement disorders at Columbia University Medical Center Neurological Institute.

Biju Gopalakrishnan, MD

A neurologist and movement disorder specialist, Dr. Gopalakrishnan completed medical school at Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

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