Wellness Wednesday: Expert Briefing Series

Gait and balance issues are common challenges for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), increasing the risk of falls and impacting mobility and independence. This program provides a comprehensive exploration of the factors that contribute to gait and balance difficulties in PD, such as muscle rigidity, postural instability, and coordination challenges.

Speaker

Mitra Afshari, MD, MPH
Director, Neurointerventional Program for Movement Disorders, University of Illinois Hospital 

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

Medication plays a key role in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD), but it’s only one part of a comprehensive care plan. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how medications work, their intended benefits, and common side effects. We will address the natural progression of Parkinson’s and the changes in medication regimens that may be necessary over time. By managing expectations, participants can build a more sustainable strategy for living well with PD.

Speaker

Danny Bega, MD, MSCI
Associate Professor of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Director, Neurology Residency Program, Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center
Medical Director, NM PDMDC
Director, Huntington's Disease Program, HDSA 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, UCB for supporting our mission. 

Research aimed at exploring therapies that could possibly change the course of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is rapidly evolving. Current Parkinson’s treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms because there are no disease-modifying therapies available at this time. But researchers are excited about the potential of current studies to improve, slow or someday stop PD. 

Speaker

Lorraine Kalia, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Toronto Western Research Institute and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases

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.

When most people think of Parkinson’s disease, they often picture tremors or stiffness—but there’s much more to the experience than meets the eye. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances, mood changes, fatigue, and cognitive challenges can significantly impact quality of life, often even more than motor symptoms. We’ll explore the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. Learn how to recognize, manage, and talk with your care team about these often-overlooked aspects of the disease.

Speaker

Mary Feldman, DO
Neurologist & Movement Disorder Specialist, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical  Center, 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.

In-person check-in starts at 11 a.m.

Join us on Wednesday, June 18, for an insightful program led by Dr. Matthew Kridel, a licensed psychologist at Wellstar Psychology. Dr. Kridel will present on cognition and Parkinson’s disease, exploring how Parkinson’s can impact memory, thinking, and mental processing. Attendees will gain a better understanding of cognitive changes, learn practical strategies for managing symptoms, and have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session.

Featured Speaker:
Matthew Kridel, PhD
Assistant Professor, Neurology
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Health Behavior
Medical College of Georgia
Licensed Psychologist
Wellstar Healthcare

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

This session focuses on safe and mindful walking, with options for slow, quick, turning, and pivoting steps. You’ll learn how to align your body and move with greater ease across the floor. 

What to bring: Two folding chairs, a tennis ball, and a small object like a tissue box or water bottle 

Great for: All levels—seated modifications available

Instructor

Judith Sachs
Certified Dance for PD
Certified A Matter of Balance

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.

This session emphasizes mindful breathing and gentle, fluid movements designed to support mobility, balance, and relaxation for those living with Parkinson’s. Seated and standing poses, combined with intentional breathwork, help reduce stress, enhance circulation, and promote a greater sense of connection between mind and body. By focusing on controlled movement and breath awareness, this practice can help ease stiffness, improve posture, and foster overall well-being—leaving you feeling more energized and centered.

Instructor

Annela Flores
Senior Program Director and Music Therapist, MusicWorx Inc.
Co-Owner of Union Yoga in San Diego, CA

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.

Join us for the Living with Parkinson’s Symposium 2025. Hear about current and upcoming treatments, ongoing research and the resources available in your community and beyond to help you live your best life with Parkinson’s. Join us in person or online (via Zoom). 

Hosted by the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas Chapter and the Medical University of South Carolina—a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.

Experts Speakers from MUSC:

• Christine Cooper, MD
• Lindsey Cox, MD
• Nathan DeTurk, MD
• Vanessa Hinson, MD, PhD
• Ricardo Lopez, MD
• Gonzalo Revuelta, DO
• Nathan Rowland, MD, PhD
• Amol Sharma, MD

Movement Break Provided by:

• Cindi Day, AAS

For in-person attendees: In-person check-in starts at 9 a.m.

For virtual attendees via Zoom: The livestream starts at 10 a.m.

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

Entender los complejos síntomas y tratamientos de la enfermedad de Parkinson es importante para la persona con Parkinson, así como para sus familiares y cuidadores.  Junto con su comunidad, aprenda cómo navegar a través del cuidado del Parkinson, incluyendo alternativas para manejar los síntomas, la importancia del ejercicio y la buena nutrición, así como maneras de conectar con recursos y otros sistemas de apoyo.

Presentadora

Dra. Elsa Rodarte Rascon
UT Health Houston - McGovern Medical School

El estacionamiento y el almuerzo son gratuitos y hay una zona de actividades para niños disponible. 

Inscribase en persona

Este programa es gratuito y está disponible para las personas con Parkinson, sus familiares, amigos, personas de apoyo y promotores de salud.

Exercise and staying active are essential not only for physical health but also for mental and emotional well-being, especially as a veteran living with Parkinson’s disease. This program will address how staying active can positively impact physical symptoms, mood, and overall health. Participants will learn about the benefits of exercise, discover strategies to stay active beyond traditional workouts, and explore meaningful activities that bring joy and purpose.  

Speakers

Hillari Olson, DPT, RYT 200
LSVT BIG®, PWR! Moves® Certified Clinician
Program Coordinator / Physical Therapist
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program
Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Emily Hall, LCSW
Southeast PADRECC Senior Social Worker
Central Virginia VA Healthcare System

Konner Kielman, OTD, OTR/L
LSVT BIG® Certified Clinician
Occupational Therapist
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program
Minneapolis VA Health Care System

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.

The Parkinson's Foundation is proud to partner with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for veterans with PD.