Ask the Expert—Health & Wellness 2025
Dr. Norika Malhado-Chang
UC Davis Health Neurology
Norika Malhado-Chang, M.D., is a fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist and an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. She’s part of a team that helped UC Davis Medical Center rank 28th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals survey for 2024-25.
What is your approach to caring for difficult neurological diseases like Parkinson’s?
Our Parkinson’s program is a good example of how we like to approach neurology care at UC Davis. We’re proud to be recognized as a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence for our clinical expertise, and patients come from Northern California and neighboring states for the latest treatments and access to emerging options through clinical trials. Our clinic is also set up as a “one-stop shop,” where care navigators coordinate comprehensive services for our patients from a specialized team of neurologists, therapists, neuropharmacists and other providers.
What other things help make UC Davis neurology care special?
Our neurologists and researchers are engaged in leading-edge studies on a wide range of conditions—such as epilepsy, stroke, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and MS—and they often play national leadership roles in improving knowledge and care. They also partner closely with respected UC Davis physician-scientists in areas like neurosurgery and geriatrics/healthy aging. Together, we’re committed to leveraging breakthroughs and innovating to help all patients.
Patient reviews praise your listening abilities and concern, as well as your medical knowledge. Why is this important?
Parkinson’s affects every aspect of life, so a holistic approach is really important for long-term success. A top priority for me is to get to know my patients as people, so I can help them and their families navigate life in the richest way possible.
3160 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento. health.ucdavis.edu/neurology (currently accepting new patients via physician referrals)
