Empower Parkinson’s

Empower Parkinson’s is a full-day educational event designed to empower individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, care partners, healthcare professionals, and community members through evidence-based education, practical strategies, and meaningful connections.

Bringing together regional and national experts, local healthcare professionals, and community organizations, this event aims to improve quality of life, increase access to resources, and strengthen Parkinson’s care across North Dakota and surrounding rural communities.

Registration includes a light continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and heavy appetizers served prior to the closing interdisciplinary panel discussion.

COMMUNITY & CARE PARTNER SESSION | 9:00 AM – 1:40 PM

Audience: Individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, care partners, family members, and community supporters.

The morning session is designed to provide practical education, encouragement, and resources that help individuals and families navigate the Parkinson’s journey with confidence and hope.

Featured Topics

Mornings That Matter: Start Each Day with Purpose, Strength, and Hope

• Building resilience and maintaining purpose after diagnosis
• Strategies to foster hope, motivation, and meaningful engagement in daily life

Supporting Mental Well-Being in Parkinson’s Disease

• Understanding the emotional impact of Parkinson’s disease
• Practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, mood changes, and overall well-being

Addressing the Hidden Challenges of Parkinson’s Disease Through Psychiatry

• Exploring behavioral, emotional, and psychiatric symptoms that can accompany Parkinson’s disease
• Understanding treatment options and available supports

Gut Health and Parkinson’s Disease

• Examining the connection between the gut and the brain
• Practical lifestyle considerations that may support overall health and wellness

Additional Highlights

• Community resources and exhibitor fair
• Opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals, advocacy organizations, and support services
• Dedicated time for networking and questions
• Light breakfast, refreshments, and lunch included

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CME SESSION | 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Audience: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, nurses, social workers, and allied healthcare professionals.

The afternoon CME session focuses on advancing Parkinson’s care through early identification, evidence-based management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical solutions for rural healthcare settings.

Featured Speaker

Dr. Salima Brillman, Neurologist Specializing in Movement Disorders

Dr. Brillman will provide comprehensive education on:

• Early identification and diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
• Current management strategies and treatment considerations
• Supporting individuals with Parkinson’s disease when specialty care access is limited
• Practical approaches for rural healthcare providers caring for individuals with movement disorders

Clinical Spotlights

Attendees will hear brief presentations from specialists representing key disciplines involved in Parkinson’s care, including:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Psychology
• Psychiatry

These focused sessions will provide practical, discipline-specific strategies that healthcare professionals can immediately apply within their own clinical settings.

Interdisciplinary Expert Panel

The day concludes with an interactive panel discussion featuring experts from:

• Neurology
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Naturopathic Medicine

Panelists will discuss collaborative care models, answer audience questions, and share practical solutions for improving Parkinson’s care across rural and underserved communities.

Last day to register: September 1, 2026

Whether you are living with Parkinson’s disease, caring for a loved one, or providing healthcare services, Empower Parkinson’s offers valuable education, meaningful connections, and actionable strategies to help improve care and quality of life.

For questions, please contact: empowerparkinsonsevent@gmail.com

Registration for this FREE event is ONLINE only. If you need help getting registered, please let a board member know.

Here is the link:  https://events.blackthorn.io/en/2EmH006/g/27P2kb5P25/empower-parkinsons-2026-education-connection-and-hope-5a22UU3fH4n/overview

I just got myself registered this morning and it was simple and fast. Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation email that comes from  PMD Alliance   info@pmdalliance.org

This really is quite exciting for our support group. We have never had a focus on the medical profession like this symposium will have. Please spread the word!