Hereditary Ataxia Program

The Hereditary Ataxia Program at URMC offers coordinated care for patients with genetic forms of ataxia. People who are diagnosed with ataxia lose muscle control in their arms and legs, which may lead to a lack of balance, coordination, and possibly a disturbance in gait. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and even eye movements.

We take referrals from area physicians for diagnosis, genetic testing, and management. The only hereditary ataxia program in the region, we see patients from throughout upstate New York.

We have a multidisciplinary team that includes:

• Alex Paciorkowski, M.D.
  Neurogeneticist
• Peter Morrison, DO
  Neurologist and movement disorder specialist
• Kelly McMahon, MS CGC
  Certified genetic counselor
• Alyssa Jacek, MS, RN, ACNPC-AG, CCRN
• Nicholas Rozestraten, PT
  Physical therapist
• Amy Cheshire, MSW
  Social worker

For appointments, please call (585) 341-7500.