World-renowned Parkinson’s disease expert Dr. Michael Okun is on a national book tour, sharing the science, stories, and urgency behind The Parkinson’s Plan, his new bestseller. Luckily, we have lined him up for three events in our local area — Palo Alto (Sept. 24), San Jose (Sept. 25), and Menlo Park (Sept. 25). (The Belmont venue can no longer accommodate us so we have moved to Menlo Park.). Dr. Okun will detail some of the 25 steps necessary to lower your risk of developing Parkinson’s and, if you have PD, slowing decline. He will be in conversation with Stanford’s APDA Information & Referral Center Coordinator Robin Riddle. Space is limited at each venue, and advance registration is required. Read more about Dr. Okun’s talk and RSVP now.
Three Local Venues
Dr. Michael Okun, in conversation with Stanford’s Robin Riddle, will be appearing at three local venues:
Wednesday, September 24, 3:30-5pm – at capacity; waitlist only
Channing House, 850 Webster St., Palo Alto
Thursday, September 25, 10-11:30am
The Villages, 5000 Cribari Ln., San Jose
Thursday, September 25, 3-4:30pm (Updated as of 9-8-25)
Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park
Audience questions welcome.
Note: There is no virtual option, and these conversations will not be recorded.
See below for additional venue details:
RSVP Now!
For each venue, please RSVP by email, phone, or text:
Joan Sparks – stanfordapda@gmail.com, phone/text 408-206-6522 (accepts texts)
When you RSVP, please share: your name, email address, cell phone number, and the number of people in your party (maximum 2!). If you leave a voicemail, please speak slowly, spelling your email address.
RSVP deadline: September 22, 2025
You may RSVP for only one venue.
Note: If you reside at Channing House or The Villages, you should RSVP with activity directors there. (Please do not RSVP again with Joan Sparks or Stanford.)
About the Book
On “The Parkinson’s Plan” website, the book tour is described as a “movement”:
In The Parkinson’s Plan, Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael Okun expose the hidden environmental triggers fueling the rise of Parkinson’s, and offer a groundbreaking PLAN for prevention and treatment— starting now.”
Just published, the book is already on The New York Times bestseller list.
If you would like to purchase a book in advance, please bring it with you for Dr. Okun to sign in the short time available after each event.
About Dr. Michael Okun
Michael Okun, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, neuroscientist, and author who practices with the philosophy that “the patient is the sun” and should be at the center of all care decisions.
He co-founded and co-directs the internationally renowned Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at University of Florida with his neurosurgeon partner and colleague, Kelly Foote, MD. Since 2006, he has served as both the Medical Director and, more recently, the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.
About the Stanford Host Organization
Stanford’s APDA (American Parkinson Disease Association) Information and Referral Center is proud to host Dr. Okun for three local events in the Stanford area in September 2025.
Read more about the services provided by the Stanford APDA Information & Referral Center
Visit our website for information on Northern and Central California PD support groups, PD exercise classes, and fall prevention classes
About Channing House – at capacity; waitlist only
Day/Time: Wednesday, September 24, 3:30-5pm
Address: Channing House, 850 Webster St., Palo Alto
Channing House is a retirement community in downtown Palo Alto. Wonderfully, they are providing their large auditorium for this event. Non-residents need to check in at the front desk and will be given a visitor badge. The front desk will have the list of all those who have RSVP’d.
Parking (including accessible parking) is plentiful. There is a drop-off area in front. You may park in any space in their front lot (even numbered spots). Free neighborhood street parking is available.
About The Villages
Day/Time: Thursday, September 25, 10-11:30am
Address: The Villages, 5000 Cribari Ln., San Jose
The Villages is a retirement community in southern San Jose. Wonderfully, they are providing a large meeting room at the Foothill Conference Center. We will need to leave the room promptly at 11:30am.
Non-residents must check in at the security gate. The security gate will have the list of all those who have RSVP’d. The attendant will direct you to the Foothill Conference Center.
Parking (including accessible parking) is available around the conference center.
About Little House
Day/Time: Thursday, September 25, 3-4:30pm
Address: Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park
Little House is an activity center for seniors in a residential neighborhood in Menlo Park. Wonderfully, on very short notice, they are accommodating us in their auditorium. Non-members need to check in at the front desk. The front desk will have the list of all those who have RSVP’d.
Parking (including accessible parking) is plentiful. There is a drop-off area at the front door.
If this is your first time visiting Little House, we have some suggestions! Little House is set back quite a way from Middle Ave. If you are coming from El Camino Real and turn on to Middle (where there’s a giant Safeway), you’ll pass Nealon Park on the right. Beyond Nealon Park is a small green/white sign that says “Little House” and “Meals on Wheels.” Turn right there. (If you get to University Dr., you’ve gone too far.)
Go to the end of that driveway, beyond tennis courts and a ballfield. Turn right again and you’ll see Little House at the end of the driveway.
If you need the exercise, park on Middle Ave., perhaps in front of Nealon Park and cut through the lawn (or find the path). Or park by the tennis courts and you’ll still get a bit of a walk.