Check-in, Exhibitor Expo, and Lunch start at 11 a.m. ET

Join the Parkinson’s Foundation in person or online for the NYNJ chapter symposium.  Learn about ongoing research, current treatments, and resources available to help you live your best life with Parkinson’s disease (PD). 

Speakers

Dave Iverson
Person with Parkinson’s, care partner, author, broadcast journalist

Marco Russo, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology | Movement Disorders
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Shannon Drastura, PT, DPT
Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
CentraState Medical Center
Freehold, NJ

For in-person attendees: In-person check-in and exhibitor expo start at  11 a.m. ET. Lunch will also be served during this time.

For virtual attendees, via Zoom: The live stream starts at 12 p.m. ET

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 event is made possible by Presenting Sponsor, Light of Day Foundation: 

Wellness Wednesday

This program will provide a basic overview of Parkinson’s disease. Learn what Parkinson’s is, what causes it, common symptoms, treatments, and strategies for managing symptoms.

Speaker

Amir Besharat, DO
Movement Disorders Neurologist
Swedish Neuroscience Institute
Parkinson's Foundation Comprehensive Care Center

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Check-in & Exhibitor Booths Open at 9:00 a.m.

After many years of good symptom management, Parkinson's disease may become more challenging. Learn how Parkinson's symptoms may change over time and new strategies available for managing them. Together we will hear from Parkinson's experts as they discuss cutting-edge technology used in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, including: advances in DBS and focused ultrasound, wearable devices to help track PD symptoms, the latest in tremor technology, speech and communication aids, and more!

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 families, friends, and the community.

Expert Speakers:

Nina Browner, MD
UNC Chapel Hill Movement Disorders Center

Sarah Gachuz
North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Kyle Mitchell, MD
Duke Health Movement Disorders Center

Expert Panelists:

Moderator: Maggie Ivancic, MSW, LCSW, UNC
Chapel Hill Movement Disorder Center

Chelsea (CJ) Duppen, PT, DPT
UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Kristianna Flores-Vitti PT, DPT
UNC REX Raleigh Outpatient Rehabilitation

Mike Lewek, PT, PhD
UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Lexi Monks MS, ACSM-CEP and Tanya Ross Judd, MS, ACSM-EP
Duke Health and Fitness Center

Sarah L. Stidham, CCC-SLP, MS
Duke Neurology

Melissa Werz, OTD, OTR/L, CDRS
Duke Neurology

Movement Breaks Provided by:

Claire McCormick, PT, DPT, GCS
Reynolds and Associates Physical Therapy

Lexi Monks MS, ACSM-CEP and Tanya Ross Judd, MS, ACSM-EP
Duke Health and Fitness Center

Wellness Wednesday

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to living well with PD. Learn why keeping weight on and retaining muscle mass can be a challenge for someone living with Parkinson’s.  Know when weight-loss is becoming a problem and when to seek support. 

Speaker

Shameem Kizar, BSc RD
Registered Dietitian, Outpatient Neurosciences Kaye Edmonton Clinic
Alberta Health Services, Edmonton AB Canada

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Wellness Wednesday

Most people with Parkinson's disease will experience changes in speech and voice at some point during the course of the disease. Learn tools and exercises to help you better understand and manage speech and communication problems in PD.

Speaker

Darla Freeman, SLPD, CCC-SLP

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Wellness Wednesday: Social Engagement Series

Join us for this highly engaging program designed to provide valuable insights and effective strategies for maintaining and enhancing communication and cognitive abilities. Discover practical methods and exercises aimed at improving your overall voice and cognitive functioning.

Speaker

Sabiha Parveen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor & Graduate Program Director
Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Oklahoma State University

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Due to the nature of our social engagement programs and to protect the privacy of participants, we will not be recording or archiving these programs. By not recording, it's our hope that the program provides a comfortable environment that encourages meaningful participation.

Check-in, lunch and exhibitor tables open at 12 p.m. ET.

A balanced diet is important for people with Parkinson's disease. Learn about food that may help ease symptoms and support brain health in addition to understanding how some foods can affect the way Parkinson's medications work. This program will also address the latest information on the gut and brain connection with PD.  

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

Featured Speaker

Carolee Horner
Functional Nutritionist

This program is hosted by the Parkinson's Sisters Support Group in partnership with the Parkinson's Foundation Georgia Chapter.

A free flowing movement class that brings out the dancer in you without needing any prior dance knowledge. Using music, we explore range of motion throughout the body and develop an awareness of movement in space. It is a full body workout.

Please keep a bottle of water nearby. Enjoy the session!

Instructors

Cecilia Fontanesi, PhD, BC-DMT

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.

Cardio, strength, balance and coordination exercises will be added in to the PWR Moves curriculum which explores exercises to improve range of motion, agility, and quality of movement in everyday living. We will review the PWR Moves positions and exercises. You may need a chair, water bottle, light weights (or canned goods). All levels welcome.

Instructors

Stacey Macaluso, Life Coach & Fitness Specialist, Founder of Mission PD

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.

Body mapping is diverse and can be used in different settings. This class will help you learn ways to use the eyes and body mapping in your ongoing exercise routine, rather that be boxing, large amplitude/big movements, strength, or balance.

We will use previous techniques to help integrate the whole body (left and right, lower and upper) during movements. For example, learn how to integrate the lower and upper half of your body while using the eyes to improve rotation during boxing.

Class will be a moderate to higher pace and level but seated variations will be given throughout class.

Equipment needed: Chair, exercise mat, hand towel, small hand weights, and a second chair/walker/foam roller/wall for support during chair to standing transitions

This class is live, so stay tuned towards the end of class and partake in a Q&A to discuss what worked for you or find what adjustments you could make!

Please keep a bottle of water nearby. Enjoy the session!

Instructors

Corey Emberton, Neuro and Movement Specialist, Level 3 Neurostudio Advanced Practitioner

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.