Former U.S. Attorney General Reno to open new Movement Disorders Center at UF

April 15, 2011

WHAT: Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will be the first to receive a “patient-centric” tour of UF’s Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration. In 1995, while still serving as attorney general, Ms. Reno announced she had Parkinson’s disease. Her sister, Maggy Hurchalla, a former Martin County Commissioner and an advocate in the fight against Parkinson’s disease, will speak on her behalf at the ribbon-cutting event. The center will give patients with Parkinson’s, dystonia, tremor and movement problems access to the latest research-based care and opportunities to help shape the therapies of tomorrow.

In addition to Ms. Reno and Ms. Hurchalla, the event will feature:
* Michael Good, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine
* Kelly Foote, M.D., co-director of the Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration
* Michael Okun, M.D., center co-director and national medical director of the National Parkinson Foundation

WHERE: The UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute, 3450 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, across from the UF Hilton Conference Center

WHEN: Ms. Reno will tour the center at approximately 10 a.m. Monday, April 18. A short program will begin at 11 a.m. Because of Ms. Reno’s medical condition, she will not be available for interviews.

CONTACT: Media representatives are encouraged to RSVP to John Pastor, assistant director of Health Science Center News & Communications, at 352-273-5815 or email jdpastor@ufl.edu. Parking and escorts to the site are available.

NOTES: The speaking portion of the event will be streamed live shortly before 11 a.m. at http://tiny.cc/8jy6s or at http://video.ufl.edu