Every month, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach produces a list of Parkinson’s-related webinars and virtual meetings with speakers. Here’s our May 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
Monday, May 3, 9am-12pm
Lewy Body Dementia Knowledge & Support Summit
Description:
A comprehensive learning and support event. Plus, an optional 50-minute breakout session to wrap up the day.
Audience:
For people living with Lewy body dementia (LBD) and their families as well as healthcare professionals.
Informational flyer is here.
Speakers: multiple
Hosts:
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Mayo Clinic ADRC Rochester and Jacksonville
University of Washington Memory and Brain Wellness Center
Register here.
This event will not be recorded.
Monday, May 3, 12pm
Psychological Approaches and Mindfulness – A Psychiatrist’s Perspective
Description:
A geriatric psychiatrist discusses his work in the field of mindfulness for people with functional movement disorders (FMDs) and how this multidisciplinary approach may apply to people with PD.
Speaker: Joel Mack, MD
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Wednesday, May 5, 9am
Understanding Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Description:
Learn about DBS as a treatment option for PD, essential tremor, and dystonia. Q&A will follow the presentation.
Speaker: Sarah Zurek, RN, DBS Program Coordinator
Host: Hartford HealthCare
Register here.
This webinar occurs monthly and is not always recorded. Recording may be posted to the Hartford HealthCare YouTube channel.
Wednesday, May 5, 10am
Parkinson’s Care Partner Summit: Your Role in Medications
Description:
This webinar will focus on recognizing medication reactions, how to differentiate motor and non-motor symptoms and how care partners can help their loved ones navigate different medication management options.
Speaker: Ihtsham Haq, MD
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the PF Wellness Wednesdays webpage.
Wednesday, May 5, 11am
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Parkinson’s
No description available.
Audience: Young Onset PD (YOPD)
Speakers: YOPD Women’s Council members
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF YOPD Women’s Council webinar series page.
Friday, May 7, 9am
Parkinson’s Disease Research at the NIH
Description:
Part of the Dr. Gilbert Hosts series, moderated by APDA Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD.
Speaker: Walter Koroshetz, MD, director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Friday, May 7, 11am
Parkinson’s and Women’s Health
Description:
A review of the basic hormonal fluctuations during a menstrual cycle as well as what happens to hormones during the various phases of life – menarche, pregnancy, menopause, and post menopause, as well as the influence of hormonal fluctuations on Parkinson’s symptoms, potential interventions to improve quality of life, and ideas for future research.
Speaker: Annelien Oosterbaan, MD, PhD
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Monday, May 10, 12pm
Update on Disease Modifying Therapies
Description:
A conversation about disease modifying trials – why they are so valuable despite the current lack of return on investment, and how the medical field hopes to improve its current track record. Hear how success is measured in these trials and what that could mean for you.
Speaker: Zoltan Mari, MD
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Wednesday, May 12, 10am
Parkinson’s Care Partner Summit: Slowed Thinking, Slowed Speech and Slowed Movement – Finding Patience in the Moment
Description:
In Parkinson’s, all things slow down. This talk will help you understand the mechanics behind some of the slowing, tools, and techniques to assist, and what to do when you recognize that the best approach is to just be a little more patient with your loved one.
Speakers:
Malia Sako OTD, OTR/L
Michelle R. Haub, MS, CCC-SLP
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the PF Wellness Wednesdays webpage.
Wednesday, May 12, 12pm
Real Talk Care Partner Series: Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson’s
Description:
The presentation, cause, and management of impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s Disease.
Speaker: Joseph Friedman, MD
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Friday, May 14, 10am
Modeling Disease: How We Know What We Think We Know
Description:
A discussion about some of the models that are used to test drugs while emphasizing, “All models are wrong, but some are useful.”
Speakers:
Megan Duffy, PhD
Ben Stecher
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Friday, May 14, 10:30am
Dementia, Cognition & PD
Description:
A discussion of how dementia and cognitive changes present in PD. The speaker has a special interest in healthy aging, evidence-based, comprehensive treatments of dementia, cognitive, behavioral and memory disorders.
Speaker: Nancy Isenberg, MD
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.
Saturday, May 15, 9am-12:30pm
Connecting Science to Hope: 2021 Spring Virtual Symposium
Description:
Leading clinicians and scientists explain the current state of knowledge and advances across movement disorders. One of four breakfast sessions is focused on PD.
Audience:
Designed for patients, care partners, and those interested in movement disorders, including PD.
Speakers: Multiple
Host: Movement Disorders Foundation
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 at registration or during the webinar in the chat box if they are interested.
Note: This event is free, but a $25 donation is suggested.
Monday, May 17 – Friday, May 21 (five days)
WPC Virtual Congress: Advancing Science, Care, & Living with Parkinson’s
Description:
Topics presented during this five-day virtual program will include updates on: basic science, clinical science, treatment options, comprehensive care, and living with Parkinson’s. The program will also include two 4-part wellness series, looking at PT wellness and speech/voice wellness.
Speakers: Multiple
Host: World Parkinson Coalition
Register here.
Note: Registration is $25. This includes access to all 20 pre-taped sessions, with three talks in each session, as well as all 20 live Q&A panels and both wellness talk series on fitness and voice.
Tuesday, May 18, 11am
Living Alone with Parkinson’s
Description:
During this webinar, we’ll talk to five people who are living alone with Parkinson’s, some by choice and others not. They will share their stories and offer ideas and advice on how to live alone and well with Parkinson’s. You will also have the chance to ask the panel members your questions.
Speakers: Five people living alone with PD
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF Live Well Today webinar series page.
Wednesday, May 19, 10am
Parkinson’s Care Partner Town Hall – Preparing for the Journey
Description:
Whether you are new to Parkinson’s or have been on this journey for a while, it is important to both live in the “now” and plan for the future. We’ll talk to care partners whose loved ones have early, mid-stage, and advanced Parkinson’s about what they’re focused on now and what they’re doing to plan ahead and prepare for any possible crisis that could come up in the future.
Speakers: Parkinson’s care partners from around the US
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the PF Wellness Wednesdays webpage.
Wednesday, May 19, 1pm-2:30pm
(Registration closes May 12)
Understanding Identity Changes in Parkinson’s Caregiving
Description:
One speaker will discuss the multiple roles of care partners, and how they evolve along the trajectory of Parkinson’s disease, as well as the impact these roles have on the health and well-being of care partners. This talk will also cover care tasks, decision making, identity, and meaningful experiences.
A second speaker will share his experiences as a caregiver, and offer practical advice, tools, and techniques to help you adapt to, and succeed in, your caregiving role.
Q&A Session with both speakers will follow the presentation.
Speakers:
Kaitlyn P. Roland, PhD
Jolyon Hallows – caregiver advocate and author
Host: Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC)
Registration closes Wednesday, May 12. Register here.
The webinar recording may be posted to the PSBC YouTube channel.
Wednesday, May 19, 3p-5p
Parkinson’s 101: Medications and Treatments
Description:
The speaker will delve deep into the different types of medications used to treat Parkinson’s and how they work within the body. Second of a three-part series.
Audience:
Recently diagnosed.
Speaker: Luisa Solis-Cohen, MD, Colorado Neurodiagnosics
Host: Parkinson Association of the Rockies
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies YouTube channel.
Thursday, May 20, 9am
You’re Not Alone: Tips for Building Connections in the Parkinson’s Community
Description:
Panelists will discuss loneliness and isolation that can happen in Parkinson’s disease. We’ll cover ways to manage these issues through community connections and share information on the Parkinson’s Buddy Network.
Host: Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)
Register here.
A recording of this webinar will be posted to the MJFF webinars page.
Thursday, May 20, 12pm
Sleep, Light, Nature, and Parkinson’s
No description available.
Speakers: YOPD Council members
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Register here.
The webinar recording will be posted to the DPF YOPD Council webinar series page.
Thursday, May 20, 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 is limited.
Speaker: Maggie Abbott, PT, DPT
Host: Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS)
Register here.
This webinar is offered monthly in 2021. The December session will be recorded and posted to the HAPS YouTube channel.
Friday, May 21, 10am
From Lab to Leader: One Man’s Journey from Scientist to Advocate
Description:
Jon Stamford, PhD is a neuroscientist who spent more than a decade heading a research team focused on Parkinson’s disease and treatment. After being diagnosed with PD in his 40s, Dr. Stamford transitioned from scientist to patient. He is passionate about ensuring that patients are at the heart of research and development.
Speakers:
Jon Stamford, PhD
Ben Stecher
Host: PMD Alliance
Register here.
A recording of the webinar may be posted to the PMD Alliance YouTube channel.
Thursday, May 22, 10am
Let’s Keep Moving with APDA: Physical Therapy & Exercise
Description:
Hear from experts in the fields of physical therapy, dance, and fitness, specific to people with PD, about how various forms of exercise and movement can work together with physical therapy to improve your balance, gait, fitness level, and more. Get your questions answered live during the program.
Moderator: Tami Rork DeAngelis, DPT, GCS
Speakers:
Dianna Daly, Dance for PD Instructor
Sarah Palmer, MS, Exercise Physiologist
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Register here.
A recording of the webinar will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel.