The DRPLA Center of Excellence was accredited to Dr Yael Shiloh-Malasky from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on June 6, 2024. Dr Hokuto Morita and Ms Jessica Rider were added to this accreditation on August 7, 2026.
Clinical Services
The UNC Ataxia Specialty Clinic is an option for individuals with DRPLA to go through. It offers specialized care focused on diagnosing and managing ataxia. The clinic is dedicated to helping individuals better understand their condition and supporting them through personalized care, treatment planning, and living well at home.
UNC also offers a Pediatric Transition Specialty Clinic for children with ataxia aged 13 years and older. In this clinic, patients are seen by a pediatric neurologist (Dr Shiloh-Malawsky), a movement disorders specialist (Dr. Morita), a nurse practitioner (Jessica Rider) and rehabilitation therapists. The goal is to support a smooth transition from pediatric to adult care by introducing patients and families to the adult care team early, fostering independence, and empowering families to feel confident and prepared for the future.
Clinical services can be provided to DRPLA patients within the UNC Department of Neurology or referred to other UNC Healthcare Departments:
- Genetic Counseling and testing
- Botox clinic
- Urology consultation
- Ophthalmology and Neuro-ophthalmology consultations
- Cardiology consultations
- Family Planning and Reproductive Health consultations
- UNC Spine Center referrals
- Neurosurgery referrals
- Orthopedics care
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation referrals and care services
- Neuropsychology assessments
- Health Prosthetics and Orthotic Services
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Speech Language Pathology
- The UNC Swallowing Clinic
- Palliative Care/Hospice
- Mental Health Services/Psychiatry
About the Applicants
Dr. Yael Shiloh-Malawsky is board certified in Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology, and subspecialty in Epilepsy. She has experience in clinical pediatric neurology and epilepsy, and specific expertise in neurogenetics, epilepsy, clinical trials, and natural history studies. Serves as the clinical core leader and co-founder of UNC Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGI), co-director of the UNC Rett Center of Excellence (CoE) as part of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation CoE network, and the Program Director of UNC Child Neurology Residency Program. Has served as the PI of clinical studies including drug trials, natural history, and other studies. Has clinical experience in the care of patients with childhood onset DRPLA, has been part of the development team of DRPLA Natural History and Biomarkers Study (DRPLA-NHBS) and is the primary investigator of the study at the UNC site.
Dr. Hokuto Morita serves as the Director of the Ataxia Center of Excellence at the University of North Carolina awarded by the National Ataxia Foundation. He is a highly experienced movement disorders specialist with extensive expertise in the care of patients with rare neurological conditions. Dr. Morita completed his Movement Disorders Fellowship at the University of Florida in 2013, following his neurology residency at the Mayo Clinic in 2010. Prior to joining UNC, he practiced at Stanford University, where he provided specialized care in movement disorders.
Jessica Rider, FNP, serves as Co-Director of the UNC Ataxia Center of Excellence awarded by the National Ataxia Foundation. She completed specialized training in movement disorders at UNC as part of the Movement Disorders team. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she practiced as a registered nurse for several years, bringing a strong foundation in patient care to her advanced practice role. Ms. Rider is an integral member of the interdisciplinary movement disorders team, contributing to the delivery of comprehensive resources and high-quality, patient-centered clinical care. She is committed to expanding access to care for individuals with complex neurological conditions.
Contact Information
You can reach Dr. Yael Shiloh-Malawsky at yaelm@neurology.unc.edu, or by calling 919-966-8178.
You can reach Dr. Hokuto Morita at hokutom@email.unc.edu or by calling 984-974-4401.
You can reach Ms. Jessica Rider at jessica.rider@unchealth.unc.edu or by calling 984-974-4401.
(Title image courtesy of the University of North Carolina)