Movement is one of the most powerful ways to live well with Parkinson’s—supporting not only strength and balance, but also mood, confidence, and brain health. In this Wellness Wednesday session, we’ll explore the science behind exercise as medicine and how it can do more than manage symptoms—it can help shape the course of the disease.

Together, we’ll unpack what “high-intensity” really means in simple, approachable terms and discuss how any level of activity can make a difference. You’ll learn practical strategies for building movement into your everyday life, find out which types of exercise offer the greatest benefits, and discover how to stay motivated along the way.

Speaker

Bethany Althaus, PT, DPT, NCS (she/her)
Clinic Supervisor | Director of Clinical Excellence | Doctor of Physical Therapy | Neurologic Clinical Specialist, Maine Strong Balance Centers 

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.

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or a returning participant, these sessions are designed to be inclusive, supportive, and accessible for everyone. Find a comfortable place to sit, settle in, and experience how mindfulness can bring steadiness and space, even in the midst of change.

A brief time for questions and reflections will follow each practice.

Speaker

Taylor Rush, PhD
Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic

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.

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or a returning participant, these sessions are designed to be inclusive, supportive, and accessible for everyone. Find a comfortable place to sit, settle in, and experience how mindfulness can bring steadiness and space, even in the midst of change.

A brief time for questions and reflections will follow each practice.

Speaker

Taylor Rush, PhD
Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic

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.

Living with Parkinson’s often brings routines, medications, and expectations that can make life feel predictable. This session invites a fresh perspective—“beginner’s mind.” Through guided mindfulness practice, we’ll explore curiosity, openness, and the ability to see each moment, and each symptom, as new.

Speaker

Nico Hase
Author & Meditation Teacher

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.

There are many non-motor challenges associated with Parkinson's disease that may not always be easy to discuss. This program will provide strategies for coping and talking about it with healthcare providers or loved ones.

Expert Speaker

Ihtsham Haq, MD, FAAN
Professor of Neurology and Chief of Movement Disorders Divisions - University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

Henry P. Moore, MD
Director of Movement Disorders at Palm Beach County
University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine 
A Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence

Adolfo Diaz
Vice President of Information & Resources, Parkinson's Foundation

Fitness Demonstration: YMCA of Collier County

For in-person attendees: Check-in and Resource Fair start at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required since lunch will be served. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community. All are welcome to join - men and women alike.

This program is at maximum capacity for in-person attendance. Please sign up via the "REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL" link above to be emailed the Symposium recording, presentation and resources in the weeks following the event.  

Living with Parkinson's can be challenging, but there are many things you can do to maintain and improve your quality of life. Join us to learn about important lifestyle factors to help you live your best life, including exercise, nutrition and sleep, as well as a live Q&A session with Parkinson's experts.

Expert Speakers

Muhammad Nashatizadeh, MD
Director, Inpatient Movement Disorders
Associate Director, Movement Disorders Fellowship
Clinical Associate Professor
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at University of Kansas Medical Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Krupp Smith Family Foundation Center of Excellence

Kelvin K. Au, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at University of Kansas Medical Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Krupp Smith Family Foundation Center of Excellence

Brooke Heffernan, MD
Movement Disorder Neurologist
Saint Luke’s Neurology

Megan Roberts, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian
John Knox Village, a Parkinson’s Foundation Community Partner in Parkinson’s Care

For in-person attendees: Check-in, lunch, and resource fair begin at 11:30 a.m. Parking: Parking is complimentary for in-person program attendees. For driving directions, please click here.

This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their families and friends, medical providers/practitioners, and the community. 

Wellness Wednesday: Expert Briefing Series

Artificial Intelligence & Parkinson’s: Understanding the Promise & Pitfalls

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping how health care information is shared and used—including for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. But what exactly is AI, and how does it differ from augmented intelligence, which is designed to support (not replace) human judgment?
 
In this Expert Briefing, our speaker will provide a clear, practical overview of AI’s role in the delivery of care for people with Parkinson’s. The session will explore how AI-enabled tools may influence communication, symptom tracking, and care personalization, and how individuals and care partners can engage with these tools responsibly.
 
The presentation will also address key legal and ethical considerations—such as privacy, accuracy, and over-reliance on technology—while emphasizing the ongoing importance of human connection in care.

The Foundation's Expert Briefing series offers access to expert perspectives on emerging topics and may include more advanced terminology and conceptual frameworks.

Speaker

Allan D. Wu, MD, FAAN
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, Program Director, Northwestern Clinical Informatics Fellowship
Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Faculty Clinical Informatics Consultant
Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

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.

Wellness Wednesday: Expert Briefing Series

Parkinson’s research is moving quickly, offering new insights for people living with the disease. This Expert Briefing will highlight how our understanding of Parkinson’s has evolved and why researchers are optimistic about future breakthroughs. We’ll focus on three key research areas shaping today’s momentum: alpha-synuclein, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Participants will gain a clear snapshot of the latest discoveries, where science is headed, and how these advances may guide new and more effective treatments.  

The Foundation's Expert Briefing series is intended to offer firsthand access to the latest research and updates from experts in the field. Expert Briefing webinars will include more scientific terms and concepts.

Speaker

Laurie Sanders, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Departments of Neurology and Pathology, Divisions of Movement Disorders and Translational Brain Sciences
Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics, Duke Clinical Research Institute, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

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.

We want to thank this webinar's sponsor, Genentech, for supporting our mission. 

Challenge your body and mind in this Parkinson’s-friendly exercise class designed to support brain health and functional movement. Through dual-tasking activities that combine physical exercise with cognitive challenges—like memory recall, problem-solving, and multitasking—you’ll work to improve processing speed, attention, and coordination. This engaging format helps strengthen neural connections, enhance daily function, and promote confidence in both movement and mental agility.

Instructors

Jonathan Zins PT, DPT, GCS
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
Geriatric Residency Faculty Member
Parkinson’s Team Lead

Sofi Hess, ACSM-CEP

Kylee Arnold

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.

Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup, and join us for an open conversation with the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sneha Mantri and guest expert. Our Coffee & Conversation series creates a space for you to ask the questions that matter most. This sessions will focuse on the movement symptoms of Parkinson's. 

Living with Parkinson’s involves more than managing movement symptoms—many people also experience emotional and motivational changes that can be just as challenging. In this open conversation, Dr. Sneha Mantri and a guest expert invite you to join a thoughtful dialogue about three common but often misunderstood experiences: anxiety, apathy, and depression. 

Your questions will guide the discussion as our experts share practical insights, coping strategies, and supportive approaches that can help improve emotional well-being and quality of life. 

Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. Bring the conversation. Don’t forget your coffee (or tea!).

Speakers

Sneha Mantri, MD, MS
Neurologist, Duke University
Chief Medical Officer, Parkinson's Foundation 

Daniel Weintraub, MD
Professor of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center
Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center

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.