Jersey Shore University Medical Center docs get Tourette Syndrome education

Robert Zambrano of Stress and Anxiety Services of East Brunswick addresses a group of 40 physicians at Jersey Shore University Medical Center on the importance of knowing more about Tourette Syndrome. / NJCTS

NEPTUNE In many cases, resident and practicing physicians at hospitals all over New Jersey have very little experience with Tourette Syndrome because scant attention is paid to the inherited, misdiagnosed, misunderstood neurological disorder during their time in medical school.

The 40 Jersey Shore University Medical Center residents and doctors attending the March 12 Patient-Centered Medical Education (PCME) grand rounds presented by the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS), however, learned more about TS in 90 minutes than they had at any other point in their education process.

Presented by Robert Zambrano, Psy.D., of Stress and Anxiety Services of East Brunswick, and the Kowalski family of Plainsboro, the grand rounds offered a general overview of Tourette Syndrome, which affects 1 in 100 children and adults. Dr. Zambranos portion of the presentation discussed symptoms, diagnostic criteria, different treatment options and some common therapy-based treatments.

Fourteen-year-old Tess Kowalski then gave an honest, open assessment of what it is like to live with TS and cope with the diagnosis.

Tourette Syndrome used to hold me back, but it doesnt anymore because Ive learned better how to handle it thanks to my family, my doctors and the training Ive received from the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome, said Tess Kowalski, who also discussed how Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has affected her life. My experience as a Youth Advocate has taught me that I wouldn't trade the disorder at this point in my life for anything because it makes me who I am.

Tess father, Tim Kowalski, then captivated the audience with a heart-wrenching account of what it is like to be a dad to two daughters Tess sister Paige also has TS struggling with a neurological disorder.

I had many fears when they were first diagnosed, and I have fears now, he said. These fears have affected every aspect of my life, but through it all, I have learned as a father and we have learned as a family how to cope with Tourette Syndrome. But it is so vitally important for doctors to better understand this condition so that children and families come after us dont have to endure the same type of fears.

The Kowalskis are very active in the Tourette Syndrome community. Presently, they are helping NJCTS plan the inaugural NJ Walks for TS at Princeton, to take place Sunday, April 6, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor.

The goal of the Patient-Centered Medical Education program is to help residents and physicians enhance their understanding of the perspectives, stresses and needs of those with neurological disorders such as TS to improve patient encounters. NJCTS works with hospitals throughout New Jersey to present these education sessions.

In addition to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, PCME presentations also have been facilitated at Monmouth Medical Center in West Long Branch and CentraState Medical Center in Freehold. All told, nearly 20 New Jersey hospitals have received this training.

More information about the Patient-Centered Medical Education Program is available by calling 908-575-7350 or by visitingwww.njcts.org.

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