Every month, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach produces a list of Parkinson’s-related webinars and virtual meetings with speakers. Here’s our October 2026 list.
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.
Unless indicated, the webinar and virtual meetings listed below are:
- Times listed as Pacific Time. (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.)
- 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 October 2026.
Thursday, October 1, 9am
Medicare: What’s Changing and What You Need to Know
Description: The speaker will help you understand what changes you can make during Annual Medicare Open Enrollment, what to consider when reviewing your Medicare coverage for the coming year, recent Medicare changes and updates to know about, programs that may help reduce Medicare premiums, deductibles, and other costs, and where to find trustworthy information and personalized Medicare assistance.
Speaker: Maxwell Arnaud, Medicare Rights Center
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
The recording will be posted on the APDA YouTube channel
Thursdays, October 1-29, 3-4pm
Long Term [PD] Care for Professional Training Series
Audience: Healthcare professionals working in long term care settings
Description: Designed to provide any professional working with people with Parkinson’s a solid foundation about best practices in managing it. There are video and article links to prepare you with more background prior to each session, as well as a digital workbook with additional resources not covered in the course.
Host: Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon
Fee: $25 for the whole series or $10 per class
We assume this event will not be recorded.
Monday, October 5, 10am
Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation in PD
No description available. The topic may not be specific to PD, though the host organization is PD-focused.
Speaker: Lauren St. Hill, LCSW
Host: Philadelphia & Richmond VA PADRECC
At the meeting time, join here
Meeting ID: 227 305 847 316
Passcode: TXmDJU
Telephone: 872-701-0185 (ID: 666 709 920#)
Questions? Contact Jessica Kaplan, phone 804-675-5931, Philadelphia & Richmond VA
This meeting is not recorded.
Monday, October 5, 2:30pm
Living with Parkinson’s, Working to End It
Description: Hear about the personal young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) experience from one of the co-founders of PD Avengers.
Speaker: Larry Gifford, person with YOPD, broadcaster, PD Avengers co-founder
Host: PD-Connect, Corte Madera, CA
The recording will be posted to the PD-Connect YouTube channel
Tuesday, October 6, 8am
Living Safely and Independently at Home [with PD]
Description: Explore practical ways to make everyday life at home safer, easier and more manageable. Topics include simple modifications, routines and tools that can support independence and confidence while helping reduce common safety risks. Part of the “Coffee & Conversations” series.
Speaker: Michelle Holloway, OT
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
The recording may be posted to the PF YouTube channel in the Coffee & Conversations playlist
Tuesday, October 6, 10am
Pep in Your Step – Getting the Most out of Your Walking
Description: Learn why walking speed and intensity matter for people with Parkinson’s, different ways to measure walking intensity, including heart rate, steps per minute, and total steps, as well as what cueing strategies are, and how they can support your walking. Part of the “Let’s Keep Moving with APDA” series.
Moderator: Teresa Baker, DPT, Boston University Center for Neurorehabilitation
Speaker: Sara Zoeller, DPT, Boston University Center for Neurorehabilitation
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
The webinar recording will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel in the Let’s Keep Moving with APDA playlist
Tuesday, October 6, 1pm
The Space Between: Navigating Uncertainty Between At-Risk and Diagnosed
Audience: Undiagnosed
Description: Whatever the reason you believe you may be at risk for developing Parkinson’s, talking through how to plan for potential future needs can help. Learn from an expert care manager, ask questions in a safe, private environment, and find actionable steps to manage the uncertainty and help protect your brain health.
Speaker: Amy O’Rourke, MPH, NHA, CMC
Host: PMD Alliance
This program will not be recorded.
Wednesday, October 7, 10am
Be Part of the Change: Understanding Parkinson’s Policy and Taking Action Together
Description: Learn about the federal and state policy priorities the Parkinson’s Foundation is advancing and discover how you can use your voice to advocate for change. Part of the “Wellness Wednesday” series.
Speakers: Parkinson’s Foundation Policy Team
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
The recording may be posted to the PF YouTube channel in the Wellness Wednesday playlist
Wednesday, October 7, 10am-12pm
Understanding Deep Brain Stimulation and MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
Description: Learn about DBS as a treatment option for Parkinson’s, essential tremor and dystonia and HIFU as a treatment for essential tremor.
Speaker: Shay Mulalic, BSN, RN, CNOR, Hartford neurosurgery nurse navigator
Host: Hartford Healthcare, Bridgeport, CT
This webinar is offered monthly and is not recorded.
Wednesday, October 7, 12-1pm
Advocating For Your Care with Parkinson’s
Description: The speaker will explore ways to strengthen your mindset, optimize exercise and wellness, build a strong support network, advocate for yourself and others, and contribute to research that is changing the future of Parkinson’s. Part of the “Wellness Wednesday” series.
Speaker: Steve Yellen, person with PD, author and Parkinson’s advocate
Host: Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC)
The recording may be posted to the PAC YouTube channel
Wednesday, October 7, 12pm
Thriving Through Speech Therapy
Description: Explore evidence-based approaches and exercises that support speech, swallowing, and communication in PD. Share your experiences, ask questions, practice exercises, and gain practical tips for working with a speech-language pathologist. This discussion will occur quarterly.
Facilitator: Alexandria Russell, MS, SLP, Lingraphica
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
APDA registration email: Anushka Shiell, MSW
The recording will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel in the Thriving Through Speech Therapy playlist
Tuesday, October 13, 8am
Prevention and Parkinson’s disease: From Population Studies to Precision Medicine
Description: The speaker and her colleagues have identified associations between toxicant exposures and environmental pollutants and increased risk of PD, and identified gene-environment interactions. Her current work also includes serving as the principal investigator of the Fox Insight online study and as a member of the leadership team of the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) study. The long term focus of this work is stopping or slowing progression and ultimately preventing Parkinson’s. Part of the “WPC Research Spotlight” series.
Speaker: Caroline M. Tanner, MD, PhD, UCSF Health
Host: World Parkinson Coalition (WPC)
The recording will be posted to the WPC website
Tuesday, October 13, 10am
Physical Therapy and Parkinson’s: How PT Helps with Gait, Balance, and More
Description: The speaker will discuss and demonstrate how physical therapy can help with multiple common Parkinson’s symptoms including gait disruption, balance and postural challenges, and functional mobility (like getting up from a seated position or from a fall). Part of the “Live Well Today” series.
Speaker: Amy Briley, PT, Destination Rehab, Bend, OR
Host: Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
The recording will be posted to the DPF website
Tuesday, October 13, 4pm
What to Eat for YOPD
Audience: Young onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD)
Description: Get a science-based understanding of what to prioritize in your diet from a researcher who examines the health effects of diet, botanicals, probiotics, and more.
Speaker: Heather Zwickey, PhD, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
Host: Young Onset Parkinson Network (YOPN)
A recording will be posted to the YOPN YouTube channel
Wednesday, October 14, 10am
Expert Briefing: The Gut–Brain Connection: How Digestive Health Affects Parkinson’s
Description: Explore how gut health and digestion are connected to Parkinson’s symptoms and overall well-being. Hear about current research on the “gut–brain connection,” what it could mean for understanding Parkinson’s, and how caring for your gut may play a role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Part of the “Wellness Wednesday” series.
Speaker: Bianca R. Palushaj, MD, Stanford Medicine
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
The recording may be posted to the PF YouTube channel in the Wellness Wednesday playlist
Wednesday, October 14, 10am
Understanding DNA & RNA-Based Therapies
Description: Part two of a three-part series titled “Understanding the Science Behind PD Clinical Trials,” that will break down the fundamentals of biology and biochemistry so you can understand some of the exciting treatments currently being tested in PD clinical trials. Part of the “Dr. Gilbert Hosts” series.
Moderator: Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, chief mission officer, American Parkinson Disease Association
Speaker: Kevin McFarthing, PhD, person with Parkinson’s, Neurology Academy, Sheffield, UK
Host: American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
The webinar recording will be posted to the APDA YouTube channel in the Dr. Gilbert Hosts playlist
Wednesday, October 14, 12-1pm
Practical Guides to a PD Friendly Home
Description: Get practical advice on creating a safer, more supportive home environment while living with Parkinson’s, including simple modifications that can help prevent falls, improve mobility, conserve energy, and make daily tasks easier.
Speaker: Jen Pidkowicz, OT
Host: Brian Grant Foundation (BGF)
The recording may be posted to the BGF YouTube channel in the Wellness Webcast playlist
Thursday, October 15, 9am
Finding the Signs of Parkinson’s
Description: A panel of experts will discuss advances in tools and biomarkers to identify Parkinson’s earlier and give families better insight into treatments and progression. Such tools may guide research and bring us closer to personalized medicine. Part of the “Third Thursday” series.
Multiple speakers
Host: Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)
The webinar recording will be posted to the MJFF YouTube channel
Saturday, October 17, 7-11am
Progress & Possibilities [PD] Conference
Description: Hear about current and upcoming treatments, ongoing research and the resources available in your community and beyond to help you live your best life with Parkinson’s.
Multiple speakers
Hosts:
Parkinson’s Foundation (PF) Carolinas Chapter
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
We have no information about the recording of this event
Saturday, October 17, 1-2pm
The Parkinson’s Plate: A Health and Diet Guide to Manage Your Journey
Description: The co-author of The Parkinson’s Plate: A Health and Diet Guide to Manage Your Journey will share practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies for living well with PD, including gut health and constipation, medication and protein timing, hydration, maintaining a healthy weight, and navigating nutrition misinformation. She’ll also offer strategies for care partners and tips for eating well as we head into the holiday season.
Speaker: Emily Truscott, MS, RD, University of Florida
Host: Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada (PSCNN)
A recording may be posted to the PSCNN YouTube channel
Monday, October 19, 11:30am
Changing the gut to change Parkinson’s: Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
Description: The speaker will explain what is known about the gut-brain axis in PD and what research into faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) — the transfer of gut bacteria from a healthy donor to the gut of another person — tells us. Learn what changes researchers have observed in the gut microbiome of people with PD, what clinical trials of FMT in PD have shown so far, the limitations and unanswered questions, and whether FMT will eventually be a treatment for PD.
Speaker: Arnout Bruggeman, MD, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
Host: No Silver Bullet 4 PD, United Kingdom
A recording may be posted to the No Silver Bullet 4 PD YouTube channel
Wednesday, October 21, 10am
Making Research Personal: How You Can Advance Parkinson’s Research
Description: A conversation about the ways people can contribute to PD research. Learn how researchers use information such as genetics, biomarkers, and lived experiences to drive discoveries and advance precision medicine. The speakers will also discuss what participation involves, how eligibility works, and how to find research opportunities that match your interests, goals, and circumstances. Part of the “Wellness Wednesday” series.
Speakers:
Dr. Andrew Siderwof, Penn Neurology Pennsylvania Hospital
Ignacio Mata, Case Western Reserve University
Alexandra Gottlieb, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Host: Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
The recording may be posted to the PF YouTube channel in the Wellness Wednesday playlist
Wednesday, October 21, 4pm
Traveling with Parkinson’s: Getting There and Back
Description: Learn the speakers’ tips and secrets for traveling with Parkinson’s, whether for a weekend getaway or an international exploration.
Speakers:
Karl Robb, author of Soft Voice in a Noisy World, person with Parkinson’s
Angela Robb, wife of Karl Robb
Host: Parkinson Social Network (PSN)
The recording will be posted to the PSN YouTube channel
Tuesday, October 24, 8am-3pm
PANC Annual Education Conference
Description: Experts, movement disorder specialists, therapists, and other leading professionals who will share valuable insights, practical resources, and the latest developments in care and research.
Multiple speakers
Host: Parkinson Association of Northern California (PANC)
Fee: $30 virtual attendance
Agenda and Registration webpage
The recording will be available to registrants immediately and eventually posted to the PANC YouTube channel in the 2026 Conference playlist
Tuesday, October 24, 8-11am
Parkinson’s Disease Patient and Family Symposium
Description: Learn about genetic risk factors and the latest genetic clinical trials, examine environmental and lifestyle factors associated with Parkinson’s disease, and receive updates on emerging research and ongoing clinical trials shaping the future of prevention and treatment.
Speakers (from Northwestern Medicine):
Tanya Simuni, MD
Danny Bega, MD, MSCI
Lucy Morse, MD
Ignacio Keller-Sarmiento
Paulina Gonzalez-Latapi, MD, MsC
Hosts:
Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter
Northwestern Medicine
A recording may be posted to the PF YouTube channel
Sunday, October 25, 10am
Participate in a Research Study on Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease
Description: Learn about a study of the experiences, strengths, challenges, and support needs of people living with PD and their care partners. The study seeks to examine how personal, emotional, social, spiritual, and caregiving-related factors may shape daily functioning, well-being, coping, and quality of life. Please complete the survey before this meeting, if possible, and share it with your care partner.
Audience: Women with Parkinson’s
Speaker: Bradley McDaniels, PhD, CRC, University of North Texas
Host: Twitchy Woman
The recording will be posted to the Twitchy Woman YouTube channel in the Sunday Mornings playlist
Wednesday, October 28, 11am
Ask the Expert – Speech-language pathologist
Description: Learn about PD-related speech, language, communication, and swallowing challenges, and how to manage them. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance.
Host: Parkinson Canada
The webinar recording will be posted to the Parkinson Canada website in the Recent Uploads section