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Michael Okun, MD, Neurology, Gainesville, FL, UF Health Shands Hospital

MichaelScottOkunMD

Neurology • Gainesville, FL

Movement Disorder

Director Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, and the Adelaide Lackner Professor of Neurology at the University of Florida

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Summary

  • Michael S. Okun obtained his M.D. with honors from the University of Florida. He was movement disorders fellowship trained by Drs Mahlon DeLong, Jerrold Vitek and Ray Watts at Emory University in Atlanta GA before moving to co-found the movement disorders program at the University of Florida. He is the past Chair of Neurology (2015-2023), Professor and Executive Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida Health College of Medicine. Dr. Okun has served as the National Medical Director and most recently as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation since 2006. He has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Smallwood Foundation, the Tourette Association of America, the Parkinson Alliance, the Bachmann-Strauss Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Dr. Okun has an active research career and has been an integral part of some of the pioneering studies exploring the cognitive, behavioral, and mood effects of brain stimulation, and since 2005 his laboratory has been working to uncover the electrical brain signals associated with human tic. He has partnered with Drs Ayse Gunduz and Kelly Foote to develop a first generation of closed loop adaptive deep brain stimulation approaches. He and his group have contributed data to support the FDA approval of several device related approaches now used to treat human disease. Dr. Okun holds the Adelaide Lackner Professorship in Neurology and has published over 500 peer reviewed articles. He is a poet (Lessons From the Bedside, 1995) and his book, Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life was translated into over 20 languages. His most recent co-authored books include Ending Parkinson’s Disease and Living with Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Okun was recognized in a 2015 White House ceremony by the Obama administration as a Champion of Change for Parkinson’s Disease.

Education & Training

  • Emory University School of Medicine
    Emory University School of MedicineFellowship, Movement Disorders and Movement Disorders Surgery, 2000 - 2002
  • University of Florida
    University of FloridaResidency, Neurology, 1996 - 2000
  • University of Florida
    University of FloridaInternship, Internal Medicine, 1996 - 1997
  • University of Florida College of Medicine
    University of Florida College of MedicineClass of 1996

Certifications & Licensure

  • FL State Medical License
    FL State Medical License 1997 - 2025
  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Neurology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory EMR, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012-2013

Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Reforming the Process for Deep Brain Stimulation and Neurologic Device Approval in Rare Diseases  
    Michael Okun, MD, JAMA Neurology
  • Case Report: Globus Pallidus Internus (GPi) Deep Brain Stimulation Induced Keyboard Typing Dysfunction  
    Joshua K Wong, Leonardo Almeida, Addie Patterson, Michael S Okun, Irene A Malaty, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
  • STN Versus GPi Ddeep Brain Stimulation for Action and Rest Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease  
    Joshua K Wong, Vyas T Viswanathan, Kamilia S Nozile-Firth, Kelly D Foote, Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora, Michael S Okun, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
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Authored Content

  • Parkinson's DiseaseJune 2021
  • Diagnosis and Management of Parkinson's DiseaseFebruary 2020
  • Deep Brain Stimulation and Parkinson's DiseaseOctober 2012

Press Mentions

  • Race Could Matter When It Comes to Parkinson’s Severity
    Race Could Matter When It Comes to Parkinson’s SeverityApril 7th, 2023
  • Is Parkinson’s Disease, 'World’s Fastest Growing Brain Disease,’ Mostly Preventable? Study Offers Clues
    Is Parkinson’s Disease, 'World’s Fastest Growing Brain Disease,’ Mostly Preventable? Study Offers CluesMarch 22nd, 2023
  • Air Pollution May Create U.S. 'Hot Spots' for Parkinson's Risk
    Air Pollution May Create U.S. 'Hot Spots' for Parkinson's RiskFebruary 24th, 2023
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Grant Support

  • Web-based Automated Imaging Differentiation of ParkinsonismNational Institutes of Health2021–2026
  • Defining Targets for Tic Detection and Suppression in Tourette Syndrome Deep Brain StimulationNational Institutes of Health2021–2026
  • University of Florida R25 Early Research Program for Neurology and Neurosurgery ResidentsNational Institutes of Health2018–2023
  • THE HUMAN THALAMOCORTICAL NETWORK IN TOURETTE SYNDROMENational Institutes of Health2018–2022
  • Mobile Decision Support System for Nurse Management of Neuromodulation TherapyNational Institutes of Health2016–2021
  • Neural Correlates Of Tourette SyndromeNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2010–2011
  • Scheduled And Responsive Brain Stimulation For The Treatment Of Tourette SyndromeNational Institute Of Mental Health2008–2010
  • Effects Of Deep Brain Stimulation On Mood And Cognitive Symptoms In Parkinsons DNational Center For Research Resources2009
  • Effects Of Deep Brain STIM On Mood And Cognitive Symptoms In Parkinsons DISNational Center For Research Resources2006–2008
  • DBS Effects On Mood And Cognition In Parkinsons DiseaseNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2003–2007
  • Effects Of Deep Brain STIM On Mood And Cognitive Symptoms In Parkinsons'DisNational Center For Research Resources2005

Professional Memberships

Hospital Affiliations

External Links

Dr. Michael Okun, Dr. Michael Okun, MD, Dr. M Okun, Dr. Michael Scott Okun