Newswise — New York Institute of Technology has named Adena Leder, DO, director of its Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Center on its Old Westbury campus.

Leder, a neurologist, movement disorders specialist, and 1999 graduate of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) will oversee the center’s operations, which provide medical care along with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to patients at the Riland Academic Health Care Center.

“We’re the only center in this area that offers, in one place, specialized therapy in all of those areas,” said Leder. “We know Parkinson’s – this is what we primarily do. Everyone works as a team and it’s a one-stop shop, so to speak, for our patients. We’re looking for ways to improve the course of their disease and their quality of life.”

Leder also leads the new NYIT Rock Steady Boxing, a program that incorporates boxing into the exercise regimens of patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. NYIT’s program, affiliated with the national Rock Steady Boxing organization, is the first and only one of its kind on Long Island. Leder and three other health care professionals have been certified to conduct classes at NYIT’s gym.

“Aside from having the certification, I’m excited to bring telemedicine to Parkinson’s patients and I’m hoping to start a cognitive therapy program for those with Parkinson’s and movement disorders, along with patients who have suffered concussions,” said Leder, a faculty associate with NYIT Center for Sports Medicine.

"Adena has been instrumental in the continued growth of the Parkinsonism program,” said NYIT Vice President of Medical Affairs and Global Health Jerry Balentine, DO. “Her expertise in the field of neurology and especially movement disorders make her the ideal candidate to lead this program."

Leder is also an assistant professor at NYITCOM. She completed her neurology residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center, and her movement disorder fellowship at Beth Israel Medical Center. She practiced clinical neurology for 10 years before joining NYITCOM in 2015.