Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre and UBC Movement Disorders website – https://www.parkinsons.ubc.ca/
Clinical Activities
The UBC Movement Disorders clinic continues to be the largest dedicated Parkinson’s and related disorders centre in the province, with patients from across B.C., resulting in over 6,000 patient visitsin 2025. We provide a multi-disciplinary approach that involves physiotherapy, social work, speech language pathology, dietetics, nursing, pharmacy, and occupational therapy. As people are livinglonger with the disease, comprehensive care is becoming more challenging, with non-motor features like dementia requiring special care.
We have integrated Neuropsychiatry into the clinic with expertise in Mood Disorders and Functional Movement Disorders, and we continue to work closely with Deep Brain Stimulation Clinic. We have also implemented an extensive Parkinson’s specific EMR template to assist in education, streamline patient processing, and provide comprehensive care.
In partnership with Parkinson Canada and Parkinson Society BC, our clinic is rolling out the FAST clinic, which is an initiative to provide expedited access to a movement disorder specialist for newly/recently diagnosed individuals living with Parkinson’s disease while providing support to referring physicians.
We were again awarded our designation as a Centre of Excellence by the Parkinson’s Foundation which signifies our commitment to a deliver patient care, professional education and training, and research.
Education
We continue to train fellows and residents in the UBC Movement Disorder clinic, as well as undergraduate medical students. In addition, postgraduate students in the departments of Physics, Engineering and Neuroscience receive training through our centre. In 2025, over 17 trainees (graduate students, post-docs, clinical fellows, residents) received training in the UBC Movement Disorder clinic and Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre.
Research Activities
The Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre continues to be a leading institution in the field of Movement Disorders research with areas of focus including molecular imaging with PET and MRI, novel technologies such as non-invasive brain stimulation, gut health, lifestyle interventions, and clinical trials. In 2025 this included 19 investigator-initiated, and sponsored trials.
We recently launched the Bjorn Moller Research Repository which will allow biological samples to be shared across multiple studies, enhancing research efficiency and expanding scientific inquiry. Read more about the research program here: https://www.parkinsons.ubc.ca/research-centre
BC Brain Wellness Program
The BC Brain Wellness Program, launched in 2019 and spearheaded by Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell, combines clinical care, lifestyle programs, education and research in a comprehensive and integrated approach to brain wellness for people with chronic brain conditions and healthy agers. Learn more about the program here: https://www.bcbrainwellness.ca/
Participating Divisional Members
- Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
- Dr. Melissa Mackenzie
- Dr. Martin McKeown (https://mckeownlab.ca/)
- Dr. Tara Rastin
- Dr. Vesna Sossi (https://pet.ubc.ca/)
- Dr. Jonathan Squires
- Dr. A. Jon Stoessl
- Dr. Joseph Tsui
- Dr. Jason Valerio
- Dr. Christina Zhang