Parkinson's Foundation Launches Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program with Emory University

The $1.8 million initiative aims to expand access to Parkinson's disease care by training the next generation of advanced practice providers.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:17am

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The Parkinson's Foundation announced a $1.8 million grant to pilot a Nurse Practitioner (NP) Fellowship program at Emory University School of Medicine and Emory Healthcare's Movement Disorders Clinic. Beginning in January 2026, two new fellowship recipients will complete an immersive, year-long Parkinson's disease (PD) fellowship training alongside physician fellows and movement disorders specialists.

Why it matters

The NP Fellowship program at Emory is part of the Parkinson's Foundation's efforts to address the growing need for specialized Parkinson's care by training advanced practice providers. As Parkinson's disease care becomes increasingly complex, this innovative, team-based approach aims to improve the patient and clinician experience, reduce wait times, and expand access to high-quality PD care.

The details

The two-year NP Fellowship program at Emory will prepare eight nurse practitioners for independent clinical practice in Parkinson's and movement disorders. Fellows will receive specialized training focused on diagnosing, managing and treating the complex motor and non-motor symptoms of PD, working closely with patients, families and interdisciplinary care teams.

  • The NP Fellowship program at Emory will begin in January 2026.
  • Over three years, the program will train eight nurse practitioners.

The players

Parkinson's Foundation

A nonprofit organization that makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure.

Emory University School of Medicine

A leading medical school and a pioneer in care for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Emory Healthcare's Movement Disorders Clinic

A designated Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence.

McCamish Foundation

A Georgia-based foundation that provided a generous donation to support the NP Fellowship program at Emory.

Tong Wang

An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner who is one of the 2026 NP Fellowship program recipients at Emory.

Elsa Mekonnen

An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner who is one of the 2026 NP Fellowship program recipients at Emory.

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What they’re saying

“The Better Model of Care fellowship provides state-of-the-art clinical and academic training for qualified nurse practitioners and allows us to train the next generation of leaders in Parkinson's care.”

— Sneha Mantri, Chief Medical Officer, Parkinson's Foundation (PRNewswire)

“As one of the leading medical centers in the United States, and as a pioneer in care for individuals with Parkinson's disease, Emory University is uniquely positioned to develop an enhanced model of care that greatly improves access to high quality and efficient care provided by nurse practitioners, reducing wait times and improving the patient experience tremendously.”

— J. Gordon Beckham, Jr., President, The McCamish Foundation (PRNewswire)

“Parkinson's disease care is becoming increasingly complex, and meeting the needs of a growing patient population requires innovative, team-based approaches. We are proud to welcome this new fellowship cohort and grateful for the philanthropic support that makes this specialized training possible. By investing in advanced education for nurse practitioners, we are expanding access to high-quality Parkinson's care and strengthening the interdisciplinary approach that improves outcomes for patients and families.”

— Jaffar Khan, Chair, Department of Neurology and Assistant Dean for Medical Education, Emory University School of Medicine (PRNewswire)

What’s next

Over the next three years, the Emory NP Fellowship program will prepare eight nurse practitioners for independent clinical practice in Parkinson's and movement disorders.

The takeaway

This new Parkinson's Foundation initiative at Emory University demonstrates a commitment to expanding the specialized workforce needed to provide high-quality, interdisciplinary care for the growing Parkinson's disease population. By investing in advanced training for nurse practitioners, the program aims to improve access, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall patient and clinician experience.