Every month, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach produces a list of Parkinson’s-related webinars and virtual meetings with speakers. Here’s our April 2021 list. Note that a few webinars have registration deadlines well in advance of the webinar dates.
What’s the difference between a webinar and a virtual meeting? A “webinar” has a handful of speakers at most, and attendees have both audio and video muted. A “virtual meeting” usually allows attendees to be seen and heard.
We recommend you register NOW for anything of interest. That way, if there’s a recording, as a registrant you’ll receive an email alerting you to the recording availability. Also, note that a few webinars have registration deadlines prior to the webinar dates.
Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach will try to attend as many of these events as possible, and share our notes. Our notes about PD webinars are often posted here to our blog. We email our notes to the “Stanford PD Info” and “PD Caregivers” email lists, depending on the relevance to those audiences.
We publish to our blog an additional caregiver-specific webinar and virtual event list, which is sent to those on our “PD Caregivers” list. That list includes some events not included here since those events are for caregivers only.
If you are a caregiver to someone with PD, we encourage you to be added to our “PD Caregivers” email list.
Unless indicated, the webinar and virtual meetings listed below are:
- Times listed as PT. (We are based in California, after all.)
- One-hour in duration. We suggest you join five minutes before the official start-time. (Usually the speaker talks for 30-40 minutes and there’s a question-and-answer session for the remaining time.)
- For a general audience. (Again, caregiver-specific events are on our other list.)
- Not focused on a single medication or single, branded treatment. (Those are excluded.)
- Free.
After that long preamble, here’s our list of PD-related webinars and virtual meetings in April 2021….
Robin and Denise
parkinsons.stanford.edu
Thursday, April 1, 1pm
Research Update [on Parkinson’s]
Description:
Meet Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) researchers and learn about currently enrolling studies.
Speakers:
Joe Quin, MD
Amie Hiller, MD
Marian Dale, MD
Kelly Sweeney
Host: Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU)
Register here.
This webinar may be posted to the OHSU Brain Institute Parkinson’s Disease video library
Friday, April 2, 8am – 4pm
Victory Summit: How to Live Well with Parkinson’s
Description:
A full day of speakers sharing how to live your best life with Parkinson’s, including spokesmen for Dance for PD and Rock Steady Boxing and topics on communication, exercise, nutrition, resilience through poetry, and optional workshops on stretching, how to tell your PD story, and being employed with PD.
Speakers: multiple
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Agenda and Zoom links to each talk
Register here (optional)
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF YouTube channel.
Tuesday, April 6, 11:15am
Taking “ON” Parkinson’s Disease
Description:
At this event, you’ll learn about Parkinson’s disease and how to manage it, explore a treatment option for Parkinson’s, hear an inspiring story from a person affected by Parkinson’s, get resources and tools for talking to your doctor, connect with others in the Parkinson’s community, find answers to your questions.
Speaker: Dr. Mihaela Alexander, MD
Host: Parkinson Association of the Rockies
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the Parkinson Rockies YouTube channel.
Tuesday, April 6, noon
Health Disparities and Parkinson’s: Understanding the Role of Trust
Description:
Racial differences in Parkinson’s treatment and mortality exist. When it comes to addressing these disparities, the concept of trust comes up in nearly every conversation. Panelists will examine the concept of trust, what we mean when we talk about trust, and how trust is necessary to address health disparities.
Moderator: David Leventhal, Program Director, Dance for PD
Speakers:
Altaf Saadi, MD, Neurologist
Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, Geriatrician
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 7, 9am
Understanding Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Description:
Learn about DBS as a treatment option for patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Learn who is eligible, what is needed before treatment and postoperative outcomes and care. Live Q&A will follow the presentation.
Speaker: Sarah Zurek, RN, BSN, Hartford Healthcare Deep Brain Stimulation Program Coordinator
Host: Hartford Healthcare
Register here.
The webinar recording may be posted to the Hartford Healthcare YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 7, 10am
Understanding Thinking Changes in Parkinson’s
Description:
Learn key features of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease, including what symptoms may occur and why they may develop. Strategies for dealing with cognitive changes will be discussed, along with medications and potential research interventions in the field. An interdisciplinary approach regarding cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease will be highlighted with the role of the movement disorders neurologist on the team.
Speaker: Jennifer G. Goldman, MD
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the PF Wellness Wednesdays webpage.
Wednesday, April 7, 11am
YOPD Women: Menstruation, Menopause, HRT, Hormones & Parkinson’s
Description:
Young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) women face decidedly different challenges than do YOPD men. During monthly YOPD Women sessions, we’ll address all of those topics with the help of doctors, specialists, and our YOPD Women Council leaders.
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF YOPD Women webinar series page.
Wednesday, April 7, noon
Flying Solo: Considerations From a MDS Provider Perspective
Description:
Whether you live alone or don’t have family nearby, flying solo with a movement disorder presents some unique challenges and requires some intentional planning. Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS) Maria Christina Ospina, MD discusses those things to consider in your treatment when you have no care partner nearby.
Speaker: Maria Christina Ospina, MD, Movement Disorder Specialist
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Thursday-Friday, April 8-9, 8am-11am
Midwest Parkinson Congress
Description:
Two-day virtual conference to hear from eight industry-leading professionals discussing the latest in Parkinson’s research, depression, nutrition, caregiving, speech, financial planning, and adaptive technologies.
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Thursday, April 8, 1pm
Beyond Movement Changes: The Emotional Impact of Parkinson’s Disease
Description:
While changes in movement are a prominent feature in the progression of Parkinson’s disease, there are common emotional changes that may occur as well. Learning to better understand emotional changes can help you increase your awareness and limit frustration.
Host: Banner Health
Register here.
There is no indication this webinar will be recorded and posted to the web for later viewing. Webinar attendees should inquire about this during the webinar in the chat box, if they are interested.
Wednesday, April 14, 10am
Social Engagement: [The Benefit of] Brain Games
Description:
Not just fun and games, studies suggest there are also many cognitive benefits for people with Parkinson’s who participate in puzzles, trivia, and brain teasers. Boost your wits and your mood by joining with peers for SCATTERGORIES! Scattergories is a creative-thinking and category-based game where teams will be given an initial letter and name objects starting with that letter within a time limit. It’s easy and fun…but not too easy!
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
This event will not be recorded to protect the privacy of participants.
Wednesday, April 14, 9am
Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Hacks, Tricks & Medication Tweaks to Improve Your Movement & Your Day
Description:
Small, but impactful ways that you can adjust your home, your daily routine, and your medication regimen, in order to make each day a bit smoother and more enjoyable.
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 14, 11am
Our Journey: Living with Parkinson’s
Description:
To raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease and its profound effect on the lives of those living with the disease, Parkinson’s Society BC has assembled a panel of four presenters who have lived with PD to share their stories.
Panelists:
Mike Scales, newly diagnosed
Gina Lupino, living with Young Onset Parkinson’s
Debbie Hartley, living well with Parkinson’s for 8 years
Mark Hutchinson, speaking from a carepartner perspective
Host: Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC)
Registration closes April 7. Register here.
The webinar recording may be posted to the PSBC YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 14, 12pm
Advocacy, Ending PD, COVID & More
Description:
Michael Okun, MD, last talked with Indu Subramanian, MD, a year ago about their specialty as movement disorder specialists, gaps and successes in the Parkinson’s space, and empowering PD advocates. They have both been blogging tips, educating the world about PD+COVID, and Dr. Okun’s Ending PD team has led a campaign to send over 14,000 letters to the White House. Listen in as they catch up.
Host: Indu Subramanian, MD, movement disorder specialist
Speaker: Michael Okun, MD, movement disorder specialist
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 14, 3pm-5pm
Description:
Part one of a three-part educational module, this curriculum will help newly-diagnosed people with Parkinson’s and their care partners navigate their journey with Parkinson’s while introducing the resources available in Colorado. Part one: Parkinson’s Basics includes the signs and symptoms, stages, and possible causes of Parkinson’s. Fellow People with Parkinson’s will share their stories and tips on how to thrive with Parkinson’s.
Speaker: Cari Friedman, LCSW
Host: Parkinson Association of the Rockies
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the Parkinson Rockies YouTube channel.
Thursday, April 15, 12pm
YOPD Dementia
Description:
To increase awareness of young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD), provide resources, and share stories to help people with YOPD live better today. The YOPD Council gathers the 3rd Thursday monthly so members can share their experiences of living with YOPD.
Speaker: Rodolfo Savica, MD, PhD
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF YOPD Council webinar series page.
Thursday, April 15, 2pm
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Features and Diagnosis
Description:
This webinar may be most appropriate for the newly diagnosed or those having difficulty obtaining a diagnosis. Learn more about Parkinson’s Disease, including the clinical criteria of diagnosis, what is Parkinsonism, the necessity of additional tests like blood tests and image brain studies, and the initiation of treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. Q&A with the doctor will follow the presentation.
Speaker: Elena Bortan, MD, movement disorder specialist
Host: Hartford Healthcare
Register here.
The webinar recording may be posted to the Hartford Healthcare YouTube channel.
Friday, April 16, 7:30am-11am
Minnesota Virtual Spring Parkinson’s Symposium
Description:
Virtual conference with six professionals.
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Sunday, April 18, 10am
[A Conversation in Honor of] Parkinson’s Awareness Month on World Parkinson’s Day
Description:
A lively discussion ONLY FOR WOMEN WITH PARKINSON’S about how you can show the world that not all people with PD look like an old, stooped man. Test your knowledge about Parkinson’s and take the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Parkinson’s Awareness Quiz before we meet.
Speaker: Saba Shahid, Creative Neurology
Host: Twitchy Woman
ONLY WOMEN WITH PARKINSON’S Register here.
A recording of the conversation may be posted to the Twitchy Woman events page.
Tuesday, April 20, 10am
Mental Well-being and Memory [in Parkinson’s]
Description:
This presentation will review how normal aging affects cognitive performance and the best-evidence practices to support cognition. Also addressed will be how PD affects cognition as the disease progresses, including the evidence-based treatments for cognitive impairment and dementia in PD. Finally, listeners will learn how medications can adversely affect cognition in PD and which ones to avoid.
Speaker: Gregory Pontone, MD
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
In about a week, a recording of the webinar will be posted to the Past Expert Briefings Webinars page on the PF website.
Tuesday, April 20, 2pm
A Conversation with Michael J. Fox: On Testing the Limits of Optimism
Description:
Michael J. Fox discusses his latest memoir, “No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality.” Join us for this special conversation during Parkinson’s Awareness Month as Michael answers the question: Are there limits to optimism?
Speakers:
Michael J. Fox, Actor, Author, Co-founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, person with Parkinson’s
Debi Brooks, Co-founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation
Host: Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)
Register here.
A recording of this webinar will be posted to the MJFF webinars page.
Wednesday, April 21, 10am-4pm
Hope Conference: Mind, Body & Soul
Description:
Conference presentation topics include a Deep Dive into the Meaning of Lab Values, Deep Brain Stimulation, Speech Therapy: Is it for Me?, Mediterranean Diet for PD, the Need for Mindfulness, Creating Stained Glass Art for the Soul, the Value of Joining a Support Group, and Dance for PD.
Speakers: multiple
Host: Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF)
Register here.
Registrants will have access to the conference videos indefinitely, but you must register to gain access.
Wednesday, April 21, 10am
Living with Parkinson’s: What You and Your Family Should Know
Description:
This program is appropriate for those newly diagnosed with PD. Attendees will gain a basic overview of Parkinson’s disease. Learn about what Parkinson’s is, what causes it, common symptoms, treatments, and strategies for managing symptoms.
Speakers:
Jori Fleisher, MD
Q&A with Matthew Burns, MD, PhD, following the presentation
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the PF Wellness Wednesdays webpage.
Wednesday, April 21, 11am
Communicating Effectively When Wearing a Mask
Description:
Learn about voice/swallow changes related to PD, and communicating with a mask on as well as communicating in virtual environments.
Speakers:
Jeanne Hatcher, MD
Nathaniel Sundholm, SLP
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 21, 11am
Improve Your Fine Motor Skills through LSVT BIG®
Description:
LSVT BIG faculty will discuss how training bigger movements through LSVT BIG treatment can help individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve fine motor skills such as buttoning and hand writing, typing, and more.
Host: LSVT Global
Register here.
The webinar recording may be posted to the LSVT Global YouTube channel.
Thursday, April 22, 10am
Let’s Keep Moving with APDA: Movement & Occupational Therapy
Description:
The connection between physical therapy and occupational therapy and how they can work together to help people with PD. The differences between physical and occupational therapy, the benefits of each for people with PD. Speakers will also answer your questions live.
Series Host: Teresa Baker, PT, DPT
Speaker: Maura O’Keeffe, MA, OTR/L
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Thursday, April 22, 12pm
A Dive into the Different Parkinson’s Drug Classes
Description:
What’s the difference between a dopamine agonists and levodopa? How does amantadine work in Parkinson’s? There are several drug classes used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms, and they all work differently but with the same goal in mind; reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. The better you understand the medications available and how they work, the more you can advocate for your treatment.
Speaker: Yasser Torres-Yaghi, MD
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Thursday, April 22, 1pm
Anxiety and Parkinson’s Disease
Description:
Learn the pharmacological management of anxiety and depression related to Parkinson’s disease.
Speaker: Joel Mack, MD, geriatric psychiatrist
Host: Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU)
Register here.
This webinar may be posted to the OHSU Brain Institute Parkinson’s Disease video library.
Thursday, April 22, 4pm
Virtual Road Show – Parkinson’s and Freezing
Description:
Learn more about freezing. Take away useful strategies to get out of tricky, sticky situations. Class size will be limited.
Speakers:
Jori Fleisher, MD MSCE
Q&A with Matthew Burns, MD, PhD
Host: Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS)
Register here.
This webinar will be offered monthly in 2021. The December session will be recorded and posted to the HAPS YouTube channel.
Friday, April 23, 10am
Disrupting the System – How Patients are Changing Research & Healthcare [for Parkinson’s]
Description:
“I see my neurologist twice a year, about half an hour every time. That’s one hour per year in healthcare for my Parkinson’s disease. During the same year I spend 8,765 hours in selfcare, applying my knowledge and experience together with what I get from my neurologist to manage a difficult condition as best I can,” says Sara Riggare, a person living with Parkinson’s. Learn what Sara is doing to disrupt healthcare and research models towards a more patient-centered approach.
Hosts:
Indu Subramanian, MD, movement disorder specialist
Ben Stecher, author and PD advocate
Speaker:
Sara Riggare, PhD student, engineer, and person with Parkinson’s
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Saturday, April 24, 8:30am-2pm
2021 Colorado Community Conference
Description:
Focused on Parkinson’s research and treatments, this conference brings together individuals with Parkinson’s, their Care Partners and family members, as well as professionals who work with the Parkinson’s community to provide them with updates on the latest research on Parkinson’s, medications and medical devices.
Speakers:
Martha Carlin, founder The BioCollective
Jodi Brown, executive director Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies
Host: Parkinson Association of the Rockies
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the Parkinson Rockies YouTube channel.
Saturday, April 24, 9am-1pm
2021 Living Well Spring Virtual Conference
Presentations Include:
The Role of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Late Life Mood Disorders and PTSD, by Akshya Vasudev, MD
Wearable Biosensors for the Management of Parkinson’s Disease: Opportunities and Challenges, by Karen Van Ooteghem, PhD Kinesiology, Neuroscience
Music and Mind: Exploring the benefits of Music, by Jessica Grahn, PhD
Keynote Speakers:
Soania Mathur, MD, retired family physician, person with YOPD
Larry Gifford, When Life Gives You Parkinson’s podcaster, person with YOPD
Host: Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario
Cost: $30
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario’s videos and audios (webinars and conferences) webpage.
Sunday, April 25, 10am
Combat Micrographia and Improve Your Handwriting
Description:
One of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s is Micrographia (small handwriting). This workshop specifically designed for People with Parkinson’s to improve their handwriting is ONLY FOR WOMEN WITH PARKINSON’S.
Speaker: Saba Shahid, Creative Neurology
Host: PMD Alliance
ONLY WOMEN WITH PARKINSON’S Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the Twitchy Woman events page.
Monday-Friday, April 26-30, 11am-12pm
APDA Connecticut Virtual Educational Symposium
Description:
Five days, five speakers on topics around Technology and Innovation in Parkinson’s Disease Management.
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Friday, April 30, 10am
Integrated Care – Building a One-Stop Shop for all your Parkinson’s Needs
Description:
Sarah Lidstone, MD, PhD is the director and research lead of the Integrated Movement Disorders Program in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Lidstone and her team are working to develop new and innovative models of care for individuals using a patient-centered approach with a focus on the integration of mental health and physical therapy. In this special interview with co-hosts Indu Subramanian, MD and Ben Stecher we will learn about Dr. Lidstone’s pursuit of a one-stop shop for Parkinson’s care, and what her model could mean one day for the care of everyone with Parkinson’s.
Hosts:
Indu Subramanian, MD
Ben Stecher, author and PD advocate
Speaker: Sarah Lidstone, MD, PhD
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.