Parkinson's Foundation: Ambassadors in Action Call (SE Region)

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

6:00 pm ET (5:00 pm CT)

Join us for the launch of Ambassadors in Action—a special 4-part pilot series designed to connect Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors, volunteers, and staff to expand education and outreach in our communities.

Each quarterly session will feature staff and volunteer presentations and include a Quarterly Call to Action that highlights key Foundation programs and how volunteers can help amplify their impact.

Topics in this year’s series include:
• Hospital Safety Guide and education program
• Community Neurology Outreach
• Care Partner Guide
• Newly Diagnosed Guide

Whether you're a current Ambassador or looking to get involved, we’d love to have you join us for this exciting new initiative!

Speakers: 

Laura Lutrick 
Advancement Director,
TNKY Chapter

Annie Long
Senior Director
Community Education & Outreach
Southeast Region

Bobbie McLaughlin
Ambassador
Tennessee & Kentucky Chapter

Event Schedule

In-person check-in starts at 9 a.m.

Join the Parkinson's Foundation and Struthers Parkinson’s Center, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, for the Progress & Possibilities Conference. Expand your Parkinson's disease knowledge and learn practical strategies and insights from members of the Struthers Parkinson Care team. Featuring a Resource Fair, lunch, and afternoon breakout sessions.

Speakers from Struthers Parkinson's Center

Annie Adix, DPT
Kayla Criger, LICSW
Sarah Donley, RN
Amanda Elliott, DPT
Stephanie Kimmes, NMT
Dr Dan Kuyper
Kristin Nierengarten, OT
Dr. Sotirios Parashos
Melissa Pellinen, SLP
Kate Wynman-Chick, PsyD

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

For virtual attendees, via Zoom: The live stream starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. 

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 Progress and Possibilities Conference is a partnership with the Parkinson's Foundation Minnesota & Dakotas Chapter and the Struthers Parkinson's Center, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence.

Thank you to the Progress & Possibilities Conference sponsors.

This webinar will provide information on our training and discuss the ways our Research Advocates are making a difference in their community. 

Research Advocates partner with researchers to share lived experiences and improve studies, making Parkinson’s research better for the community.

Research Advocates are trained by:
– An online course, or
– In-person at our Learning Institute 

You may be eligible to attend our in- person 2025 Learning Institute if you are:
– Living with Parkinson’s disease or caring for someone with Parkinson’s
– Live in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (eastern), Delaware, Maryland or Virginia

There is no charge to attend this webinar, but registration is required. This webinar is open to people with Parkinson's and their care partners.

This event has now reached capacity. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you want to be added to the waitlist, please email georgia@parkinson.org.

Check-in & Resource Fair Begin at 10 a.m. ET

Join us for a comprehensive and engaging educational program featuring a team of experienced professionals who will share valuable insights and practical strategies to help you navigate your Parkinson’s journey with confidence.

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

Featured Speakers:

Evan M. Johnson, MD
Piedmont Neurology

Paulette Lewis, MPT, DPT, CSRS, CSST
Neu-Level Therapy and Wellness

Kathryn (Katie) Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Piedmont Fayette Hospital

Lynnette M. Dunn, MSW
Piedmont's Sixty Plus Program

Carolee Horner, MS, NBC-HWC
Nutrition for PD

Kelley Napier, CELA
Georgia Estate & Elder Law, LLC

This program is hosted by the Parkinson's Foundation Georgia Chapter, in collaboration with Piedmont Fayette Hospital and Piedmont Neurology.

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.

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.

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. 

Keynote Speaker

Michael S. Okun, MD
Adelaide Lackner Professor of Neurology
Executive Director, Normal Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

Expert Speakers

Irene Malaty, MD, FAAN
Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases -
University of Florida Movement Disorders

Ihtsham ul Haq, MD, FAAN
Professor of Neurology and Chief of Movement Disorders Divisions
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence 

Robert Hauser, MD, MBA
Director, Parkinson's Disease & Movement
University of South Florida
A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

Panelist

Ramón Rodríguez, MD, FAAN
Medical Director, Neurology One

Event Volunteers Needed! Service hours and lunch are provided. To sign up and learn more, visit: Volunteer sign-up here

Stay tuned for more information!

For in-person attendees: Check-in and Resource Fair start at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served. Drop-off areas are located in front of Faith Hall. Handicap and general parking is available in the Pink Lot.

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

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.

Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD

There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both.
– 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET
– 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET

Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or helpline@parkinson.org.

What is the PD Solo Network: 

A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.

The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

• March 11, 2025
• April 8, 2025
• May 13, 2025
• June 10, 2025
• July 8, 2025
• August 12, 2025
• September 9, 2025
• October 14, 2025
• November 11, 2025
• December 9, 2025

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.