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Physical therapy project gains support from Parkinson’s Foundation

Lori Schrodt, professor of physical therapy at Western Carolina University, is one of three national recipients of funding by the Parkinson’s Foundation to further Parkinson's disease research and care.

Lori Schrodt

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition, with no cure but with treatment options, including medications and physical therapy available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists complications from the disease as the 14th cause of death in the United States.

Schrodt’s project will develop academic collaborations with community partners to provide physical therapy students with skills to better assist people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. The partnerships will improve the continuum of care and integration of clinical services with community programs.

The Parkinson’s Foundation is a national organization that works to improve care, advance research and develop treatments, including a cure, for the disease.

“We are delighted to have a program that supports physical therapy faculty leaders who are educating the next generation of physical therapists about Parkinson’s care,” said John Lehr, head of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “We wanted to take this support one step further by launching a seed grant funding program that will allow our physical therapy faculty alumni to further develop their independent projects and enhance their impact on the Parkinson’s community.”

Schrodt had previously completed the prestigious Parkinson’s Foundation Physical Therapy Faculty Program, a “train the trainer” course that helps faculty leaders across the U.S. so they can, in turn, better educate physical therapy students.

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