The Bay Area Open House is hosted by the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Peninsula Parkinson’s Place, a new community wellness center!
We will be celebrating the grand opening, have interactive exercise demos, local community partners and resources available, light refreshments, and a Stanford researcher will speak on "The Connection Between Gut Health and Parkinson’s Disease".
There will also be plenty of time to connect with others and learn more about the Foundation’s programs and services.
The event is open to people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, healthcare professionals, community partners, and anyone interested in learning more about the Parkinson’s Foundation and the local Parkinson’s community.
Join the Parkinson’s Foundation Healthy Living Expo on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, in Leawood, Kansas! This free community event brings together people living with Parkinson’s, care partners and families, healthcare professionals and the broader aging community for a day of education, connection and access to local resources. Discover information and support to help individuals and families live well with Parkinson’s and thrive at every stage of life.
Time: 10 am to 3 pm—Drop in anytime. Stay for an hour or all day!
Location: Church of the Resurrection—Building B, the Foundry Meeting Room | 5001 W 137th St | Leawood KS 66224
Parking: Parking is complimentary for program attendees. To access driving directions, please click here. A reminder email will be sent the week before the event with parking directions, logistics etc.
What You’ll Experience
Explore a Resource Expo featuring 50+ community organizations, healthcare providers, and industry partners offering Parkinson’s and healthy-aging services, programs, products, and support.
Hear from Parkinson’s experts during a live panel discussion and Q&A.
Attend educational breakout sessionscovering living well with Parkinson’s, healthy aging, dementia, caregiving, nutrition, health and wellness, and community resources.
To learn more about our expert speakers for the live Q&A as well as the breakout sessions, click HERE.
Schedule for the Day
10:00-11:00am: Check-in and Resource Expo in Foundry Hall + Tremble Clefs performance
2:30-3:00pm: Breakout session # 3 (upstairs breakout rooms) and Next Is Now: Innovating Parkinson's Treatment with CREXONT (Foundry Hall)
How to Attend
Join us in-person by registering at Parkinson.org/KC. This is a free event, but registration is required as complimentary lunch and snacks are provided throughout the day. Whether you are living with Parkinson's, caring for a loved one, a healthcare professional seeking local resources, or simply interested in learning more about Parkinson's and healthy aging, the Parkinson's Foundation Healthy Living Expo offers valuable information, practical tools, and meaningful connections to help individuals and families live well.
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.
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.
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Check-In & Resource Fair
10:30 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. Opening Remarks, Parkinson's Foundation
Living with Parkinson's can be challenging, but there are many things you can do to maintain and improve your quality of life. This program will provide you with information to help you find the balance between a proactive approach and wondering what lies ahead.
Event Overview:
9:00 a.m. CT - Check-in & Resource Fair 10:00 a.m. CT - Program begins 1:30 p.m. CT - Program end
Lunch will be served for all attendees.
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 program provides an overview of current Parkinson’s research and its impact on treatment and care. Participants will learn the difference between studies targeting symptoms and those aiming to slow disease progression. We will also explore recent advancements and how ongoing research may shape future therapies and personal care.
*This program may include moderately scientific terms and concepts.
This event is free and open to people with Parkinson's and their families. Registration is required as in-person seating is limited.
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 Nurse, 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 Desiree Dunn, RN, University of Utah Neurology-Movement Disorder Division
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
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. Topics include protecting assets, exploring care options, and accessing social and emotional support.
Speakers: “Protecting Your Assets” Financial, Legal and Insurance Planning Kelly Kelly, Fairway Independent Mortgage
“Knowing Your Outside Support Options” What Families Wish They Knew Sooner Leah Jones and Michelle Meinert, Your Aging Navigator
Complimentary Lunch with Harp by Erin
“Accessing Social & Emotional Support” How to move through Caregiver Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Marc Anderson, MDiv BCC, Sanford Medical
Panel: The Care Partner Journey Care Partners and a local social worker speak candidly about their experiences and the resources that help. Moderator: Katlin Johnson, Exec. Director, South Dakota Parkinson’s Foundation
Guided Meditation Experience A moment to breathe, relax, and re-focus. Karrie Heckman, RN Sanford Integrated Health
Assistance is available for any care partner who needs outside care for their loved one while attending the conference. To apply for assistance, go to www.southdakotaparkinson.org/financial-assistance Or call (605) 271-6113 for assistance with the application
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. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program starts at 11:30 a.m.
This program provides an overview of current Parkinson’s research, including PD GENEration, and its impact on treatment and care. Participants will learn the difference between studies targeting symptoms and those aiming to slow disease progression. We will also explore recent advancements and how ongoing research may shape future therapies and personal care.
*The Resource Fair will feature local Community Partners that provide services and support for the Parkinson’s Community.
Speakers
Nicola Bothwick Clinical Research Parkinson's Foundation
Megan Finke Clinical Research Parkinson's Foundation
David K. Simon, MD, PhD Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Anne Marie Wills, MD Mass General Bringham
George Skaliotis PD GENEration Participant
Wendy Buchanan PD GENEration Participant
Movement Demonstration by Todd Paris Rock Steady Boxing-Greater Boston JCC
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 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.
Check-in & Resource Fair* begin 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.
*The Resource Fair will feature local Community Partners that provide services and support for the Parkinson’s Community.
Speakers
Kirsten Bodensteiner, PT, DPT Parkinson's Disease & Exercise – PWR! Moves Demo Physical Therapist at Movement X
Ellen Yates Unlock Your Potential: Moving Better with Parkinson’s Founder & Director at N2Shape.com
Dance for PD Demo
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.
