2025 Autumn Conference October 3-4, 2025

Please register and plan to join us!

LIVING DYNAMICALLY WITH PARKINSON’S: Building Strength, Resilience and Hope through Sharing, Connection and Community

FREE REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE

WHEN: OCTOBER 3–4, 2025

WHERE: University Center Ballroom, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, or attend online

WHO: Anyone touched by Parkinson's, including patients and caregivers

HOW: CLICK HERE to register

Attending Online?

Irish Luck Productions will provide professional videography for a smooth, high-quality online experience.

Travel & Lodging:

• A limited number of rooms are reserved at the DoubleTree for Thursday, October 2, and Friday, October 3 (no Saturday night stay).

• To get the special rate, please book by September 11. After that date, the block will be released.

FREE REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE

AGENDA

Living Dynamically with Parkinson’s: Building strength, resilience, and hope through sharing, connection, and community

Friday, October 3

8:00 AM – Registration Opens Check in and get settled for a day of learning, connection, and community.

8:45 AM – Welcome Remarks

9:00 AM – The Progression of Parkinson’s: What to Expect, How to Treat It, and Hope for the Future Understand what symptoms may arise over time, current treatment options, and new research on the horizon. Speakers:

• Dr. John Herndon, Movement Disorder Specialist

• Cheryl Schwenk, Research Participant
  

10:30 AM – Break

10:45 AM – It Takes a Village: Building the Treatment Team You Need Learn how to assemble a care team that fits your needs—especially in rural Montana, where specialized providers may be limited. This session will address telemedicine and share real-world approaches to building a supportive team. Panel Speakers:

• Dr. John Herndon, Movement Disorder Specialist

• Chelsey Miller, APRN

• Dianne Morgan, DPT, CSRS

• Sarah Elliott, MS, CCC-SLP

• A person with Parkinson’s and their care partner
  

12:00 PM – Lunch Social Enjoy a meal and connect with others in the Parkinson’s community.

1:00 PM – Dance Your Cares Away Move, stretch, and enjoy uplifting dance exercises designed to enhance balance and boost your mood. Instructor: Audrey Parks, Lead Dance Instructor, Gonzaga University

1:45 PM – Break

2:00 PM – Breakout Sessions Choose the session that best fits your experience:

• Care Partner Café An honest conversation space for care partners to share challenges and support each other. Facilitator: Sarah Fielding, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Montana

• Communicating with Your Care Partner A session focused on the needs and perspectives of those living with Parkinson’s. Facilitator: Andrew Laue, LCSW
  

3:30 PM – Closing Remarks

Saturday, October 4

8:00 AM – Registration Opens Join us for another meaningful day.

8:30 AM – Welcome Remarks

8:45 AM – Your Keys to Healthy Communications Learn tools to express needs and frustrations in healthy, productive ways—for both people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Facilitators: Andrew Laue, LCSW & Sarah Fielding You’ll:

• Learn key communication strategies

• Hear summarized insights from both care partners and people with Parkinson’s

• Engage in discussion and practice together
  

10:15 AM – Break

10:30 AM – It’s a Matter of Balance Participate in light exercises designed to strengthen your balance and stability. Instructor: Dianne Morgan, DPT, CSRS

11:00 AM – Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation: Who We Are & What We Offer Get to know the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation and its wide range of online resources. Presenter: Virgil Sweeney, Executive Director

11:45 AM – Final Closing

FREE REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE