A substantial gift from Lehigh Valley Health Network board of trustees member Joel Hoffman will help LVHN grow its deep brain stimulation program and expand comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical care for the treatment of movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.

In recognition of his gift, the deep brain stimulation program at Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute has been named the Hoffman Family Deep Brain Stimulation Program.

Hoffman, an Allentown native and Dieruff High School and Temple University graduate, has been an LVHN trustee since 2019. He is a retired senior vice president and chief analytics officer for Optum, a pharmacy benefit manager and health care provider, part of UnitedHealth Group.

Hoffman’s gift will allow LVHN to enhance its program in several ways, including the provision of a dedicated nursing resource to provide navigation services to seamlessly guide patients through world-class movement disorders care. The gift also will support a clinical research coordinator and allow for new equipment and technology, staff education, and more – all to assist patients enrolled in the Deep Brain Stimulation Program.

“Joel’s selfless generosity will elevate LVHN’s Deep Brain Stimulation Program and allow us to provide even more comprehensive care for those with Parkinson’s disease as well as other conditions, including essential tremor and dystonia,” said Steven Lewis, MD, Physician-in-Chief of Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute and Chief of Neurology at LVHN.

Hoffman, who has Parkinson’s disease, benefited from deep brain stimulation he received in Phoenix about five years ago and said it “truly dialed back the clock” on his symptoms.

“LVHN and the people of the Lehigh Valley are family, and it is important to me that ‘family’ be able to access comprehensive care for movement disorders so they may benefit from the same treatments I have been so lucky to receive,” said Hoffman.