The Parkinson Association of Alabama is pleased to announce that Brooklyn White will fill the organization's role of Programs and Marketing Director, effective October 1, 2022. In this role, Ms. White will be responsible for the revitalization of the PAA's Care Navigation Program and cultivating content and local resources for the Parkinson's Disease Resource Center (PDRC) with an anticipated re-launch date in early 2023.
"Brooklyn has been a valuable asset to the PAA over the previous months as we have worked to strategically develop a plan for the revitalization of our Care Navigation and Online Resource Center programs. Additionally, she has assisted our association in all marketing activities, as well as served as the interim Care Navigator. We are pleased to extend this promotion of Programs and Marketing Director as a permanent, full-time position that is in alignment with our mission for improving the quality of lives for people living with Parkinson's in Alabama," says Executive Director and CEO, Bibby Bailey.
Ms. White brings a wealth of marketing experience having served in marketing and communications roles for the past 25 years across the health care and financial services industries.
"Applying my marketing skills to my passion for helping those with Parkinson's is one of the best ways I can honor my grandmother and father who were both impacted by PD. As a care partner to my father, I quickly learned that navigating care and leveraging local resources was challenging, but also the key to a quality life for my dad while living with Parkinson's," says White. "I believe education is power, and I am thrilled that I get to apply my marketing skillset full-time to the PAA."
For the past six months, Ms. White has served the PAA as a consultant to help strategically plan and build the program that will be launched in early 2023 through feedback and input from those living with PD. "Now the real work begins," says White. "I have traveled the state collecting input from those most impacted by Parkinson's and their families, as well as received valuable input from the medical professionals currently serving Parkinson's patients to best understand what gaps need to be filled. This has helped us to strategically plan and shape a program to serve those living with PD and their families well. Our goal is to strike a balance for those who wish to self-navigate PD resources online and virtually, but also continue to support those in this journey through a person-centered, hands-on Care Navigational approach that results in a tailored, newly-diagnosed kit or long-term wellness plan."
Ms. White will officially begin her new role on October 3rd. In addition to supporting the Care Navigation program and being responsible for the cultivation and management of the Parkinson's Disease Resource Center (PDRC), Brooklyn will work toward the sustainability and growth of additional support and movement groups, extending Parkinson's services throughout the state for greater rural reach, as well as soliciting funding and grant opportunities to help offset the costs of the programs that will be provided as FREE services to those living with PD and their families. "The goal is to ensure that support groups are equipped with the best information and resources that can be found on Parkinson's, and that we can connect those newly diagnosed to more convenient opportunities within the PD community," says Bailey. "Investing in this position allows the PAA to extend our reach rurally, but also brings more impactful educational programming across the state."
More than 12,000 people currently live with PD in the State of Alabama with approximately 800 individuals diagnosed annually, and that is expected to grow by 14.8% by the year 2025 according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Founded in 1978, the PAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves the entire state of Alabama. The PAA's mission is to improve the overall quality of life for those affected by Parkinson's throughout the state. By dedicating resources to these programs, the PAA can be the number one GO TO resource for everything Parkinson's in Alabama.