## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Resources & Support](/resources-support)
- [Events](/resources-support/events)
 
  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Resources & Support](/resources-support)
- [Events](/resources-support/events)
 
  

 

   Educational Events 

#  Parkinson's Disease Symposium: The Gut-Brain Connection 

 NIU Conference Center   
 1120 E. Diehl Rd.  
 Naperville, IL 60563 

 Virtual ( Zoom ) 

 

 April 11, 202612:45 pm to 4:00 pm CDT

 

 FREE 

 

 

 [REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON](https://secure.parkinson.org/site/Calendar?id=118192&view=RSVP) [REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL](https://secure.parkinson.org/site/Calendar?id=118210&view=RSVP) 

 

    ![Layers of color around a human body with an overlay of a sketch of the brain, lungs, and gut](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/Rush%20Event%20Page.png?itok=K3FGb1up)  **Please join the Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter in partnership with the Rush University Medical Center, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, for our Hybrid Parkinson's Disease Symposium.**

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) frequently experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that can affect daily function, medication response, nutrition, swallowing safety, and quality of life. The gut is also increasingly recognized as a trigger for brain diseases like PD.

This symposium provides an accessible, interdisciplinary overview of the gut–brain connection, the microbiome, practical “food for health” strategies in PD, and moderated Q&A panels to provide perspective on common challenges.

---

**For in-person attendees:** check-in begins at 12 pm CT.  
**For virtual attendees**: live stream begins at 12:45 pm CT.

---

### **Speakers:**

Rush University Medical Center Movement Disorder Staff

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.

 

- ###   Agenda (Central Time)   
    
    **Agenda: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. CT (this includes check in time)**
    
    • **Guest Check-In/Vendor Fair/Lunch-**12:00-12:45 p.m.
    
    • **Welcome by Parkinson's Foundation & Rush-**12:45-1:00 p.m.   
     Speaker(s): Jessica Bartsch & Deborah A. Hall MD PhD
    
    • **Intro to PD & Review of GI-Related Symptoms-** 1:00-1:20 p.m.   
     Speaker: Alana Kirby MD PhD
    
    • **Gut-Brain Connection and Microbiome**-1:20-1:35 p.m.   
     Speaker: Robin Voigt PhD
    
    • **Food for Health in PD-**1:35-2:00 p.m.   
    Speakers: Kristin Gustashaw MS RDN LDN CSG & Puja Agarwal PhD
    
    • **Movement Break:** 2:00-2:10 p.m.   
     Movement Revolution
    
    • **Medicine Management and GI Factors-**2:10-2:25 p.m.   
    Speaker: Pierpaolo Turcano, MD
    
    • **Expert Panel Q&A-**2:25-2:45 p.m.   
    Panel: Agarwal, Gustashaw, Kirby, Turcano, Voigt
    
    • **Break-**2:45-2:55 p.m. (10 mins)
    
    • **Swallowing Challenges, Pitfalls, and Safe Swallowing-**2:55-3:10 p.m.   
    Speaker: Ryan Millager, PhD, CCC-SLP
    
    • **Mental Challenges of Diet and Meal Timing-**3:10-3:25 p.m.   
    Speaker: David Gonzalez, PhD ABPP
    
    • **Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy-**3:25-3:40 p.m.   
    Speaker: Molly Dennie, PT, DPT
    
    • **Expert Panel Q&A-**3:40-4:00 p.m.   
    Panel: Dennie, Gonzalez, Millager
    
    • **Closing:** 4:00 p.m.  
    Speaker: Jessica Bartsch
 
  ##   Contact Us  

 Jessica Bartsch

 

  [ ![Envelope icon](/themes/custom/parkinson/assets/images/envelope.svg) 

 JBartsch@Parkinson.org

 

 

 ](mailto:JBartsch@Parkinson.org) 

 [ ![Phone icon](/themes/custom/parkinson/assets/images//phone.svg) 

 (312) 762-5706

 

 

 ](tel:(312)%20762-5706) 

 

 

 

  ![Rush logo](/sites/default/files/styles/400px_wide/public/images/RushSystemBrand.jpg?itok=9ZW1AUJE)  

   ##  Upcoming Events 

   Fundraising Events 

###  [ Moving Day Atlanta ](/events/2026/md-atlanta) 

 Moving Day is your chance to speak up about Parkinson’s disease and move others to take action.

 October 24, 2026Dunwoody, GA

 

 [REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON](https://secure.parkinson.org/site/TR?fr_id=7917&pg=entry) 

   Fundraising Events 

###  [ Moving Day Richmond, VA ](/events/2026/md-richmond-va) 

 Moving Day is your chance to speak up about Parkinson’s disease and move others to take action.

 October 24, 2026Richmond, VA

 

 [REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON](https://secure.parkinson.org/site/TR?fr_id=7896&pg=entry) 

   Educational Events 

###  [ Parkinson's Disease Patient and Family Symposium ](/events/2026/Northwestern2026) 

 This program provides an overview of the current understanding of Parkinson's disease risk factors, exploring how genetics, lifestyle, and environmental influences may contribute to disease development.

 October 24, 2026Virtual

 

 [REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL](https://secure.parkinson.org/site/Calendar?id=119469&view=RSVP) 

  

 [View All](/resources-support/events) 

  

 

 ###  PD Library 

 Deep dive into Parkinson’s topics that matter most to you. Explore our books, podcast episodes, fact sheets, videos and more — all available in our PD Library.

 [Explore Now](/resources-support/pd-library) 

 

 

 

 

- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Share on LinkedIn