Benzi Kluger, MD
Neurology
Board Certified
Locations
Practice Locations
Neurosciences Center - Anschutz
1635 Aurora Ct 4th Floor, Aurora, CO 80045720-848-2080
UCH - Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion
1635 Aurora Ct Aurora, CO 80045720-848-0000
Clinical Interest for Patients
I direct the University of Colorado’s Neurology Supportive and Palliative Care clinics. These team-based clinics are open to any patient or family affected by a neurologic or neurosurgical condition. The goals of this clinic are to improve the quality of life and reduce suffering for patients and families by helping them with difficult to treat medical symptoms (e.g. pain, fatigue), psychiatric symptoms (e.g. depression), psychological issues (e.g. guilt, grief), caregiver support, spiritual wellbeing and planning for the future. My specific clinical interests include movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, chorea) and disorders of thinking and memory. I also perform botox injections for pain, muscle spasms, dystonia, headaches and other neurologic conditions.
Care Philosophy
I treat people not diseases. Everyone has unique perspectives, priorities, strengths and weaknesses that are important to understand in working towards their health goals. Good communication is critical to this relationship, especially my ability to really hear patients and to communicate my thoughts in a way that is understandable. I am open to admitting when I don’t have the answers and enjoy working with a team of other clinicians. As the director of the neuropalliative care program I want to make sure our care is always patient and family-centered, meaning that the patient and family direct our goals and plans of care.
Specialties
- Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- Neurology ( 2006 )
Conditions & Treatments
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Brain and Nervous System
Alzheimer's Disease, Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease
Personal Interests
In my spare time I enjoy reading, creative writing, music, lifting weights, meditation and professional wrestling.
Volunteer Activities
I volunteer my time working with the American Academy of Neurology, Davis Phinney Foundation, Parkinson's Association of the Rockies and Huntington's Disease Society. I give talks to support groups for Parkinson’s disease and other patient populations.
Medical Schools
MD, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (2001)
Undergraduate Schools
BA, University of Colorado - Boulder (CO) (1997)
Graduate Schools
MS, University of Florida (2008)
Internships
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program (2002)
Residency Program
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program (2005)
Fellowships
University of Florida Program (2005)
American Academy of Neurology, Member
American Neurological Association, Member
American Neuropsychiatric Association, Member
Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Member
Huntington's Study Group, Member
Movement Disorders Society, Member
Parkinson Disease Society, Member
Parkinson's Study Group, Member
Society for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology, Member
Grants
Intrinsic Cortical Networks and Cognitive Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease (2013)
Does Outpatient Palliative Care Improve Patient-Centered Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease? (2015)
A Novel Approach to Fatigue in Parkinson’s Disease (2016)
More than a movement disorder: Applying palliative care to Parkinson’s disease (2016)
Characterizing Intrinsic Functional Cortical Networks in Parkinson Disease Dementia (2016)
Research Interests for Patients
My primary research interest is in applying palliative care approaches to reduce the suffering and improve the lives of patients and families affected by neurologic illnesses. This includes improving our understanding and ability to manage fatigue, problems with thinking and memory, and other difficult symptoms. We are using brain imaging to study these problems and we are trying both medications and non-medical means like acupuncture to treat them.
information for referring providers
Clinical Interests for Referring ProvidersI direct the University of Colorado Hospital Neurology Supportive and Palliative Care clinics. These team-based clinics are designed to assist patients and families who are struggling with any neurologic or neurosurgical disorder by providing care for difficult to manage medical symptoms (e.g. pain, fatigue), psychiatric symptoms, psychological issues (e.g. grief, guilt), caregiver support, complex family dynamics and establishing goals of care. Patients DO NOT need to be advanced or near the end of life to benefit from these services. I am also interested in movement disorders, behavioral neurology, and botox injections for dystonia and spasticity.
Research Interest for Referring ProvidersMy primary research interest is in applying palliative care approaches to reduce the suffering and improve the lives of patients and families affected by neurologic illnesses. This includes developing models for implementing this care more widely in the community, and improving our understanding and ability to manage fatigue, dementia, and other difficult symptoms. We are using brain imaging to study these problems and we are trying both medications and non-medical approaches to treat them. If you have an interest in research or have patients who you think may be interested or qualify for research please call 303-724-4644.
Referral Contact Phone: (720) 848-2080
Referral Contact Fax: 720-848-2106