The Parkinson's Foundation Community Care Expo is an event designed to connect local professionals working in the Parkinson's community with resources for their Parkinson's patients and/or residents.
During our event, you’ll hear from a Movement Disorder Specialist, a home health director of Nursing, a Parkinson's fitness expert, and Parkinson's Foundation Staff about the many no-cost resources available to your team.
This Community Care Expo is free to attend, but registration is required.
Speakers
Sherri Bickley, LMSW, M.Th., Executive Director, The HOPEamine Factory
Lissa Brock, BSN, RN, NC-BC, Director of Nursing, BrightStar Care – Salt Lake City
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Check-in, Breakfast, Networking, Visit with our vendors!
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Parkinson's Disease 101
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Parkinson's Exercise
Sherri Bickley, LMSW, M.Th.
Executive Director, The HOPEamine Factory
9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
Creating a Parkinson's Personalized Care Plan
Lissa Brock, BSN, RN, NC-BC
Director of Nursing, BrightStar Care – Salt Lake City
We’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Check-in starts at 9:00 a.m. and the program starts at 10:00 a.m.
Join the Parkinson's Foundation Minnesota & Dakotas Chapter in partnership with the South Dakota Parkinson Foundation for the Care Partner Conference. Caregivers, care partners, and anyone supporting a person living with Parkinson’s are invited to attend this conference to help you and your loved one navigate the Parkinson’s journey with confidence. Topics include protecting assets, exploring care options, and accessing social and emotional support.
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’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Traveling with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can feel overwhelming, but a little planning can go a long way. In this webinar, we’ll share practical tips to help make travel easier—from packing medications and navigating airports to adjusting to new time zones and finding accessible accommodations. Join us to learn how to travel with greater confidence, reduce stress, and focus on enjoying the experience.
Speaker
Roxanne Julius, PT, DPT M Health Fairview Founder of Dellwood Travel
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’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
The Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter and Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center present: Parkinson's Disease Patient and Family Symposium.
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. Attendees will learn about genetic risk factors and the latest genetic clinical trials, examine environmental and lifestyle factors associated with Parkinson's disease, and receive updates on emerging research and ongoing clinical trials shaping the future of prevention and treatment.
Speakers
Tanya Simuni, MD, FAAN Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Danny Bega,MD, MSCI Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Lucy Morse,MD Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Ignacio Keller-Sarmiento,MD Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Paulina Gonazalez-Latapi,MD, MsC Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders 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.
10 a.m. Welcome / Opening Remarks Danny Bega, MD, MSCI, Northwestern Medicine Jessica Bartsch, MS, NCC, Parkinson's Foundation
10:15 a.m. Key Note: Risk Factors for Parkinson’s Disease: An Overview of Genetics, Lifestyle, and Environmental Factors Lucy Morse, MD, Northwestern Medicine Ignacio Keller-Sarmiento, MD, Northwestern Medicine Paulina Gonazalez-Latapi, MD, MsC, Northwestern Medicine (Q&A to follow presentation)
12:05-12:10 p.m. Break
12:10 p.m. Updates in Research & Clinical Trials Tanya Simuni, MD, FAAN, Northwestern Medicine (Q&A to follow presentation)
The Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter in partnership with Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center presents: The Parkinson's Disease Patient and Family Symposium.
We’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 10:00 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m.
Exercise is a powerful tool for managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms at every stage. This program explains how staying active supports movement, mood and thinking and may even slow disease progression. Participants will learn practical ways to build exercise into daily life for better mobility and overall well-being.
Lunch will be served. Parking is available on site.
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’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 10:00 a.m. and the program starts at 10:45 a.m.
Even after years of good symptom control, Parkinson's disease can take unexpected turns. This program explores the "mid-stride" changes that happen and offers strategies to manage them. Learn about treatment options, when to adjust your care team, how to stay independent and supported as your needs change.
Speakers
Guy Schwartz, MD Movement Disorders Neurologist Co-Director, Stony Brook Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center Stony Brook Medicine
Carine Maurer, MD, PhD, FAAN Movement Disorders Neurologist Stony Brook Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center Stony Brook Medicine
Lunch will be served. Parking available on site.
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’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Join the Parkinson’s Foundation on Thursday, September 3, 2026 for the inaugural Move & Mingle Las Vegas Speakeasy for a Cure event at the Underground at the Mob Museum! Prepare for an evening of cocktails, period-inspired appetizers, conversation and connection as we continue the fight against Parkinson's disease. Hosted by two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and meteorologist Chloe Koast of News 3 Las Vegas.
Honoree and inaugural Voice of Hope Award recipient: Nina Ten of Spotlight President & COO, Spotlight Senior Services Las Vegas
Special Guest: Erin O'Quinn, Associate Vice President of Public Policy, Parkinson's Foundation
We’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 10:00 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m.
Exercise is a powerful tool for managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms at every stage. This program explains how staying active supports movement, mood and thinking and may even slow disease progression. Participants will learn practical ways to build exercise into daily life for better mobility and overall well-being.
Lunch will be served. Parking is available on site.
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’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
Celebrating Our 2026 National Volunteer Award Recipients
🧠 What will you learn in this article?
This article celebrates 2026 Parkinson’s Foundation National Volunteer Award recipients, recognizing the dedicated volunteers whose leadership, service, fundraising and community-building efforts help advance our mission. It highlights:
How each honoree supports and impacts the PD community.
Their PD story.
How volunteers help us strengthen connections and move research forward.
Volunteers are at the heart of the Parkinson's Foundation mission. Across the country, they raise awareness, build community, support programs, advocate for change and help connect people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their families to the resources they need.
Each year, the Parkinson's Foundation recognizes exceptional volunteers through our national volunteer awards. These awards celebrate key people whose service, leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on the Parkinson's community.
We are proud to introduce our 2026 National Volunteer Award recipients. Meet John, Dale, Jordan, Jen, Rocky and Cindy below — and let their stories inspire you as they have us.
Paul Oreffice Volunteer of the Year: John Poma
John embodies the spirit of service. His leadership spans community, state and national levels — from chairing Moving Day Richmond and the Volunteer Leadership Summit to representing Virginia at the Parkinson’s Policy Forum. Through the People with Parkinson's Advisory Council, he has advised on PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation, reviewed community grants and encouraged young investigators at the research grantee summit, demonstrating his commitment to advancing science and care.
Beyond his formal roles, John consistently uses his voice to raise awareness of REM sleep behavior disorder and the lived experience of Parkinson's through local and national media. He partners with healthcare providers at Virginia Commonwealth University, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence and beyond — including researchers at Mass General and Harvard — to advance the Foundation's mission. John believes in empowering others through education and has spoken at major events, including the Planning for Prevention of Parkinson's conference.
“One of the guiding principles of my longtime professional career in and around healthcare is that helping one person may not change the world, but it may change the world for that one person.”- John Poma
Dale’s impact has been extraordinary in a short amount of time. His authenticity, leadership and willingness to openly share his diagnosis have helped break down barriers and create meaningful awareness around PD within the first responder and firefighter communities. By leveraging his lifelong connections, he not only raised significant funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation but also expanded our reach into a passionate and service-oriented network of supporters.
What makes Dale especially deserving of the Rising Star Volunteer Award is the way he channels his own experience into action for others. Rather than stepping back after his diagnosis, he stepped forward — becoming a fighter, advocate, fundraiser and source of inspiration. His dedication perfectly reflects the spirit of courage, community and perseverance that this award represents.
“I am honored and privileged to walk amongst many heroes that are fighters, that won't quit and are fighting back.” – Dale Picciano
Top Fundraiser Award: Jordan Levin, Jen & Rocky Pontikes
Jen and Rocky Pontikes, along with Jordan Levin, transformed one idea into an inspiring movement that united hundreds of people during Parkinson's Awareness Month. Through the Million Meter Challenge, participants rowed, walked, biked and ran together to demonstrate the power of movement while raising critical funds to advance Parkinson's research and improve care.
What began with Jen's passion for rowing as a way to manage her Parkinson's symptoms grew into a multi-state community effort that inspired more than 300 participants to move more than 24 million meters and raise more than $185,000 for the Parkinson's Foundation. Their creativity, leadership and ability to bring people together exemplify the spirit of this award.
“The Parkinson's Foundation introduced me to an extraordinary community of people living with Parkinson's, care partners, advocates, researchers and healthcare professionals. Through those connections, I found my voice. What began as one of the most difficult moments of my life became my purpose.” - Jen Pontikes
“My hope is simple: to support the research and education that may one day cure or ease these brutal diseases, and to ensure that caregivers are never left without the information, resources and support they need on their own journey.”- Jordan Levin
Cindy leads by example through extraordinary service to the Parkinson's community. As President of the Parkinson’s Foundation New York Chapter Board, facilitator of the Women with Parkinson's Community Network, Research Advocate and dedicated Moving Day volunteer, she consistently gives her time, leadership and compassion to support others living with Parkinson's.
When Cindy logged her volunteer hours for the year, she wasn't seeking recognition — she simply wanted to ensure the impact of her chapter was reflected. Only then did she realize she had contributed an incredible 339 volunteer hours, a testament to the countless ways she strengthens her local Parkinson's community.
“Being involved in the Parkinson’s Foundation makes me feel like I’m doing something that’s helping. Everything I do is somehow related to the Foundation. I attend a PD support group of 60 women, some of whom have become my closest friends — and I found this group through the Foundation. I call the Helpline for referrals. I go on Parkinson.org every time I feel a new symptom coming."- Cindy Finestone
Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients! As we celebrate these six outstanding people, we are grateful for every volunteer who gives their time, talents and passion to help us make life better for people living with Parkinson's.
Check-in starts at 11:30 am and the program starts at 12:30 pm. A complimentary boxed lunch will be provided.
Please join the Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter in partnership with the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Movement Disorders Team, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, for our Parkinson's Disease Symposium: Building Your Parkinson’s Toolbox.
This educational program will offer practical information and strategies to support everyday health and well-being, for those affected by Parkinson’s. Attendees will hear from experts on topics including sleep and fatigue, preparing for medical appointments, fall prevention/home safety, nutrition, and self-care for care partners. Throughout the day, participants can also connect with local vendors and community resources that provide valuable information. Whether you are navigating Parkinson's yourself or caring for a loved one, this program offers tools, education, and encouragement.
Speakers:
Karen Blindauer, MD Froedtert & MCW health network
Sheila Rane Eichenseer, MD, MS Froedtert & MCW health network
Molly Sievers, DPT, NCS Froedtert & MCW health network
This program is a partnership with the Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter and the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Movement Disorders Team- a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence.
We’ll explore how to notice habitual thinking patterns—especially those tied to worry, self-criticism, or uncertainty about Parkinson’s—and learn to release what no longer serves us.
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.
