SESSION DETAILS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Friday, March 10, 2023 - 8:30 am - 3pm - Pelham Civic Center
500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham, AL 35124
​
9 am - WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
Bibby Bailey, Executive Director and CEO. Parkinson Association of Alabama
Main Ballroom
PAA Executive Director and CEO, Bibby Bailey kicks things off for a day filled with education, valuable content and resources for the Parkinson's Symposium with important announcements you will need to know about the day's events.
​
9:15 am - LET'S CELEBRATE - Official Launch and Demo of the Parkinson's Disease Resource Center and Care Navigation Program
Brooklyn White, Director of Programs and Marketing, Parkinson Association of Alabama
Main Ballroom
PAA Director of Programs and Marketing, Brooklyn White is excited to demonstrate the newest resource from the Parkinson Association of Alabama - the Parkinson's Disease Resource Center. It is our mission and hope at the PAA that we can be your GO TO resource for everything you need to know about Parkinson's to live a quality life. Additionally, Brooklyn will walk through the new Care Navigator program and present how you can participate in an assessment.
​
9:30 am - OPENING KEYNOTE- All I Really Needed to Know about Parkinson's, I Learned in Acting School
Matthew Moore, Lamp and Light Productions
Main Ballroom
Professional actor and educator, Matthew Moore relates his journey through Parkinson's to life lessons he's learned in the weird and wondrous world of performing "Shakespeare in the Park." With equal parts good humor and gravitas, Matthew will explore what's helped him keep Parkinson's Disease from taking "center stage" in his life.
​
10:15 am - MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME WITH OUR MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
Laura Lieb, University of Alabama Movement Disorder Specialist Nurse Practitioner
Ballroom A: Preparing for the PD Journey
Meeting with our movement disorder specialists is a critical component to our overall treatment path and Parkinson's. Yet, because of demand, our time can be limited. In this session, learn how to prepare for your follow-ups so that you can maximize your time with your doctor, noting what questions to ask and topics to cover to make the most of your time together. Laura will also share the importance of communicating with your specialists between appointments utilizing patient portals.
​
10:15 am - PD TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES - WHAT WORKS?
Dr. Benjamin McCullough, University of Alabama Movement Disorder Specialist
Main Ballroom: Living Well with PD
There are so many treatment options and paths for us to consider when it comes to managing Parkinson's symptoms. It can be overwhelming. UAB Movement Disorder Specialist, Dr. Benjamin McCullough, provides an overview of available medication, surgical, and therapeutic options for your considerations when it comes to symptom management for Parkinson's disease.
​
10:15 am - WALKING IN OUR LOVED ONES SHOES - EVERYTHING THOSE LIVING WITH PD WANT THEIR CARE PARTNERS TO KNOW
Moderator: Stacy Rowland, Panelists: Michael S. Fitts, Teri Henley, Mike Rowland, and Karen Virciglio
Ballroom B: Care Partner Corner
What better way to learn what we may need to do as care partners than to hear directly from those who are experiencing Parkinson's disease. In this session, we will talk about the common symptoms our loved ones are experiencing and how we can better understand what they may be going through so that we know how to best support them on their journey with Parkinson's. We will also provide some practical tips to help with the management of some common symptoms that require support from care partners.
​
11 am - JUST IN CASE - PREPARING FOR UNEXPECTED HOSPITALIZATIONS
Laura Lieb, University of Alabama Movement Disorder Specialist Nurse Practitioner
Ballroom A: Preparing for the PD Journey
While none of us want to think about the possibility of a hospitalization from an injury or infection, we know it is important to be prepared just in case. In this session, learn what check-lists and materials you need to bring with you to best advocate for your care as a person living with PD, protecting against risks of adverse events. We'll talk about fact sheets for ER personnel and nurses, medication forms, and discussions that should happen around potential surgery preparations.
​
11 am - CONNECTING WITH OTHERS - UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT AND MOVEMENT GROUPS
Main Ballroom: Living Well with PD
PART A: MOVEMENT GROUPS
Moderator: Andrea Pindroh. Demonstrations: Traci Aday, Martin Juarez, Anne McKinley, Mary Margaret Scalici, and Terri Weksler
Main Ballroom: Living Well with PD
In this jam-packed, two-part session, we will begin with a panel of support group facilitators and attendees who can provide insight into the importance and benefits you can receive by participating in support groups. Secondly, we will discuss movement groups and how they too can not only be a place of support and social connectedness, but keep you moving! Expect demos from Rock Steady Boxing, PowerUp!, PD Fight Club, Dance for PD, and more!
​
PART B - SUPPORT GROUPS
Moderator: Andrea Pindroh. Panelists: John Bennet, Carolyn Goza, Cindy McMinn and Steve Sain
In part B of this session, our panelists will discuss how support groups have positively impacted their journey with PD. So much so, they are now facilitating or co-facilitating groups.
​
11:15 am - CARING FOR OUR LOVED ONES - WHO IS CARING FOR US?
Stacy Rowland, PD Care Partner
Ballroom B: Care Partner Corner
Our reaction to how we care for our loved ones with PD can greatly impact their journey. When it comes to being a care partner for our loved ones with Parkinson's, it can get quite overwhelming. In this session, we will provide tips for staying organized to minimize common stress factors while stressing the importance and options for respite.
​
1 pm: 2023 UDALL CENTER UPDATE - UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINIC
Dr. David Standaert, UAB Chairman for the Department of Neurology and Movement Disorders Clinic
Main Ballroom
Dr. David Standaert, UAB Chairman for the Department of Neurology and Movement Disorders Clinic, provides the latest update on research, treatments, and therapies. Learn about open clinical trials and advancements on the brink of approval to incorporate into your treatment paths for the future.
​
2 pm: ASK THE EXPERTS
Moderator: Ken Cater, PAA Emeritus Director Panelists: Dr. David Standaert, Matthew Moore, Laura Lieb and Brooklyn White
Main Ballroom
Many of our speakers from throughout the day's events will be sticking around to answer your questions from sessions you attended, or general questions about Parkinson's that you would like to ask.
​
2:45 pm: CLOSING REMARKS
Brian Corbett, Parkinson Association of Alabama President
Main Ballroom
President of the PAA, Brian Corbett will conclude the day's event with closing remarks and how you can become more involved with the PAA, from volunteering to considering a future board position - there are many opportunities to get involved and help the PAA with it's number one mission to improve the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson's, their care partners and families.
​
​
QUESTIONS?
Do you have questions about this event? Want to volunteer? What to sponsor? Please contact the event chair and Director of Programs and Marketing for the Parkinson Association of Alabama, Brooklyn White at brooklyn@parkinsonalabama.org.