New Certification Program Aims to Enhance Movement Disorder Care Access for Patients

Enhancing Access to Movement Disorder Care

The Association of Movement Disorder Advanced Practice Providers (AMDAPP®) has made strides toward improving patient care through a newly established certification program. This initiative highlights the increasing importance of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) specializing in movement disorders, a sector that has witnessed significant growth in demand due to conditions like Parkinson's Disease.

In August 2025, the AMDAPP announced the certification of 17 additional APPs, bringing the total to 55 certified professionals since the program's inception in January 2025. This certification, known as the Certification of Movement Related Disorders (CMRD®), recognizes the specialized knowledge and experience APPs bring to their practice. Given the rapid increase in Parkinson's Disease—diagnosed at a rate of over 90,000 new cases annually in the U.S.—the role of certified APPs has never been more crucial.

With only 660 neurologists specializing in movement disorders across the country, patients often face extended waiting periods for specialist consultations. APPs help alleviate this problem by collaborating closely with neurologists, ensuring that more patients receive timely and effective care. Kelly Papesh, Executive Director of AMDAPP®, emphasizes the vital role these APPs play within multidisciplinary teams in movement disorder clinics nationwide:

“By expanding the number of certified APPs, we are directly addressing the growing need for specialized care and improving outcomes for individuals affected by these conditions.”

The CMRD® certification aims not only to enhance access to care but also to validate the expertise of APPs in handling movement disorders. More importantly, it facilitates enhanced collaboration between APPs and primary care providers, who are often the first point of contact for patients. These primary care professionals frequently juggle multiple, complex health issues, which limits their ability to give due attention to the complexities of movement disorders.

By boosting the number of certified APPs, AMDAPP intends to elevate the overall quality of care for patients suffering from these conditions. The CMRD® certification is set to provide benefits including:
1. Increased Access to Care: Certified APPs improve the availability of specialized care for movement disorder patients.
2. Team Integration: APPs play essential roles in collaborative teams within clinics.
3. Expertise Validation: The certification shines a light on APPs' skills and knowledge in delivering evidence-based care.

As the surge in movement disorders continues, AMDAPP encourages health service providers and patients alike to recognize the importance of certified APPs. For those looking to understand more about the AMDAPP and the CMRD® certification process, detailed information is available on the AMDAPP Certification Homepage, which outlines resources for both patients and healthcare providers.

Founded as a non-profit organization, the AMDAPP is dedicated to educating and empowering APPs, allowing them to provide exceptional care for those living with movement disorders.

Join AMDAPP Today!

To become part of this transformative movement and access resources to support your journey, visit the AMDAPP website and consider membership to stay informed and involved in enhancing the quality of care for individuals with movement disorders.