Parkinson's Disease Buddy Program
Parkinson's Disease Buddy Program

The annual Bill Collins Symposium for Parkinson’s Disease for patients, families and caregivers will be held April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the conference center of the Rudd Heart and Lung Building, 201 Abraham Flexner Way next to Jewish Hospital. Admission is free.

Speakers will provide insight into a variety of topics affecting patients with Parkinson’s, including new advancements and treatments, and new developments and services within the UofL Physicians Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders program.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Michael Okun, the national medical director for the National Parkinson’s Foundation, a best-selling author and a leading national spokesman on Parkinson’s disease. Okun is also chairman of Neurology and co-director of the Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include:

  • Breakthrough Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease
  • Advances in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
  • Hallucinations and Psychosis in Parkinson’s Disease
  • Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease – What are the Benefits?
  • Caregiving – Finding Your Village
  • The Parkinson’s Disease Buddy Program: What Have We Learned from Each Other?

“The symposium is a great resource for patients and their families, as it’s an opportunity to hear more about what we know about Parkinson’s disease, what we are learning and how we can help,” said Dr. Kathrin LaFaver, director of the UofL Physicians Movement Disorders Clinic and the Raymond Lee Lebby Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. “Patients get the opportunity to hear from and talk with several experts in one place.”

To attend the symposium, register by April 3 by calling 502-582-7654 or via email. Provide the following information: Name, number of guests and telephone number.