Webinars

APDA MA VIRTUAL EDUCATION SERIES: BRINGING INFORMATION TO YOU AT HOME

The American Parkinson Disease Association Massachusetts Chapter provides monthly webinars via Zoom. Listed below are descriptions of previously recorded webinars and links to watch them online. Each presentation is about 1 hour long and features a Q&A session.

Would you like to join us for a live program? Visit our Upcoming Events page to register for the next available webinar.


Advances in Understanding Deep Brain Stimulation

Speaker: Ludy Shih, MD, Program Director, Deep Brain Stimulation program, Boston University Medical Campus; Pratik Rohatgi, MD, Neurosurgical Director, Deep Brain Stimulation program, Boston University Medical Campus

In this program, Dr. Shih and Dr. Rohatgi present the latest information on Deep Brain Stimulation, and answer questions from participants of the live webinar.

Recorded on 12/1/2022

The Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s

Speaker: Stacey Zawacki, DrPH, MS, RDN, LDN, Director of the Boston University Sargent Choice Nutrition Center (SCNC); and Rachel Reynolds, MS, RDN, LDN, Assistant Director of SCNC

In this webinar, Dr. Zawacki and Ms. Reynolds discuss the importance of nutrition as a component of wellness in PD.

Recorded on 11/16/2022


Pharmacy Outreach – Community Program Overview

Speaker: Victoria Howard, Case Manager for the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)

In this program, Ms. Howard discusses the MCPHS Pharmacy Outreach Program and the various services they offer to help make sure you are able to follow your medication schedules.

Recorded on 10/11/2022


Preparing for a Visit with the Neurologist

Speaker: Katelyn Bird, MD, Movement Disorder Specialist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Boston University Medical Campus

In this webinar, Dr. Bird discusses how to best prepare for the next appointment with your neurologist, and how to make the most of each visit.

Recorded on 09/20/2022


Research Updates in Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Speaker: Terry Ellis, PhD, PT, FAPTA, Director of the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Sargent College, Boston University

In this webinar, Dr. Ellis discusses the research revealing the benefits of engaging in walking as well as approaches to improve walking ability.

Recorded on 04/22/2022


Linda Ng

Understanding Bladder Issues in Parkinson’s

Speaker: Linda Ng, MD, Assistant Professor and Program Director of Urology at Boston University Medical Campus/ Boston Medical Center

In this webinar, Dr. Ng presents information on common bladder symptoms in PD, and potential solutions to discuss with your doctor.

Recorded on 04/19/2022


Yoga for Health in Parkinson’s

Speaker: Danielle Nardi, PT, DPT, CYT, Physical Therapist at Spaulding Outpatient Center in Hyannis

Dr. Nardi discusses how yoga can be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, and leads a short yoga practice that will be fully seated, with movement options and variations offered to make it accessible for all.

Recorded on 02/08/2022


Managing Your Healthcare: Communication Between the Primary Care Doctor and Neurologist

Speakers: Stephanie Bissonnette, DO, MPH, Movement Disorder Specialist at Boston University Medical Campus; and Terrell Y. Johnson, MD, Primary Care Physician, Department of Medicine, at Boston University Medical Campus

Dr. Bissonnette and Dr. Johnson discuss the interactions between the neurologist and primary care physicians, and how to coordinate with the two for your best care.

Recorded on 01/19/2022


Marie Saint Hilaire, MD, FRCPC

The Role of Research in Parkinson’s

Speaker: Terry Ellis, PhD, PT, Director, Center for Neurorehabilitation Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College; and Marie Saint-Hilaire, MD, FRCPC, Director, APDA Center for Advanced Research at Boston University Medical Campus

In this educational webinar, Dr. Ellis and Dr. Saint-Hilaire discuss how research can benefit a person with Parkinson’s, and vice versa.

Recorded on 11/02/2021


Sleep Matters: A Review of Sleep Issues in Parkinson’s

Speaker: Okeanis Vaou, MD, Director of Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center

In this program, Dr. Vaou gives an overview of sleep problems associated with Parkinson’s.

Recorded on 10/12/2021


ESPN Founder and Parkinson’s Advocate

Intentionally Optimistic

Speaker: Bill Rasmussen, Melissa Staiti, and Jay Zavala

Join the APDA MA for this special panel featuring ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, Melissa Staiti from Central Massachusetts, and Jay Zavala of Cape Cod. The panel discusses how to live optimistically with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Recorded on 09/14/2021


Picture of Dr. Anindita Deb

Understanding Blood Pressure Fluctuations in Parkinson’s Disease

Speaker: Anindita Deb, MD, Movement Disorder Specialist, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center

Dr. Deb discusses how to manage blood pressure changes in Parkinson’s disease.

Recorded on 08/10/2021


Driving Wellness for Parkinson’s Disease

Speaker: Jaclyn Davin, OTR, CDI, CDRS, Occupational Therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Cape Cod

Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism can lead to changes in vision, physical movement, and thinking skills which can impact driving safety over the course of the disease. This program presents information on how to continue to drive safe now, what changes to watch for in the progression of the disease, and how to address those changes in the future.

Recorded on 07/13/2021


Social Self-Management in Parkinson’s with Linda Tickle-Degnen, PhD, OT, FAOTA

Speaker: Linda Tickle-Degnen, PhD, OT, FAOTA, Professor Emerita, Department of Occupational Therapy at Tufts University

In this program, Dr. Tickle-Degnen discusses how to manage daily life with Parkinson’s, strategies for staying socially engaged, and how social activities are beneficial for people with PD.

Recorded on 06/08/2021


Workplace Accommodation with a Diagnosis of Parkinson’s

Speaker: Alexandra (Alex) Deal, JD, partner at Paik, Brewington & Deal, LLP, & Anne Muskopf, OTR/L, Director, Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson’s Family Support Program

Alex and Anne discussed how individuals with Parkinson’s can continue to work with the aid of workplace accommodations.

Recorded on 04/20/2021


Spring Into Exercise: Put Your Best Foot Forward

Speaker: Teresa Baker, PT, DPT; Tami DeAngelis, PT, DPT; and Timothy Nordahl, PT, DPT; Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University’s Sargent College

Join the APDA MA for this educational webinar featuring a panel of Physical Therapists with expertise in Parkinson’s disease.

Recorded on 03/16/2021


Parkinson’s Disease and Communication with Lisa Sommers, MA, CCC-SLP

Speaker: Lisa Sommers, MA, CCC-SLP, Clinic Director, Clinical Associate Professor, Center for Language Speech, and Hearing, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Recorded on 02/16/2021


DBS for Parkinson’s Disease: What’s New, with Dr. Ludy Shih

Speaker: Ludy Shih, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Director of the Deep Brain Stimulation Program, Boston University Medical Campus

In this program, Dr. Ludy Shih discusses the latest information on DBS for people with Parkinson’s.

Recorded on 01/05/2021


Finding Support for Care in the Home

Speaker: Dave Tasto, Assisting Hands Home Care

Dave Tasto, local expert and author of “Thriving at Home – A Handbook for Preventing Hospital Stays,” discusses how participants can find extra support at home for themselves or a loved one. This includes common situations at home, the types of help available, and provide advice on how to find the best home care for your needs. He also shares tips from his book including specific actions you can take to keep a loved one healthy at home.

Recorded 11/03/2020