Connecting Communities: 12th Annual Louisiana Parkinson's Conference to be Held Saturday, July 20, 2024
July 17, 2024
LSU School of Kinesiology announces annual event to empower and educate Persons with Parkinson’s and their Caregivers, as well as encourage networking with researchers and clinicians.
BATON ROUGE - The LSU School of Kinesiology is hosting its annual Louisiana Parkinson's Conference. Now in its 12th year, the conference will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the esteemed C. B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center in Baton Rouge, La.
An estimated 1 million people in the United States live with Parkinson’s disease, with nearly 11,000 of those residing in Louisiana.[1] Additionally, the number of individuals being diagnosed with Parkinson’s continues to increase each year,[2] highlighting the need to further research in this field and provide Persons with Parkinson’s (PWPs) the necessary resources, education and community networks to enhance their quality of life and well-being.
“The impact of Parkinson’s disease is far-reaching, and it is critical for those affected to receive not only education from professionals, but also community support, as isolation can worsen symptoms,”[3] Jan Hondzinski, PhD and professor at the LSU School of Kinesiology said. “Through the inspiring presentations and interactions, attendees learn valuable strategies for managing the challenges of this condition and connect with a community of individuals who truly understand and empathize with their experiences.”
Sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience Tina Holland, PhD, President of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, will be this year’s P.J. Mills Keynote Address. Tina Holland is in her sixth year as President of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, formerly Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Before moving to Baton Rouge, Dr. Holland served for more than 22 years at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana, where she was a member of the mathematics faculty, served as a program director for at-risk students, and later as Vice President for Student Affairs, and ultimately as Executive Vice President and Provost. Dr. Holland serves on the boards of several education and service organizations, including the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, Saint Joseph Seminary College, St Joseph’s Academy, and Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High School.
Additional programs at this year’s conference include presentations by movement disorder neurologists and skilled musicians; a session including helpful tips of how to maneuver through our healthcare system; time for conference attendees to meet with various organizations and businesses that provide support and solutions for PWPs and their caregivers; movement breaks specifically designed for PWPs; and more.
"Working with our outstanding regional healthcare organizations, the School of Kinesiology at LSU is proud to be developing one of the leading national programs for Parkinson’s research and public service. The Louisiana Parkinson’s Conference continues to be a great resource for bringing all who are interested in improving the lives for PWPs and their caregivers," said Dr John Nauright, Director of the School of Kinesiology at LSU.
While this event is free, space is limited and registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit Louisiana Parkinson’s Conference.
About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division
of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education,
the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology the School of Leadership
& Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration
schools, the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, enrolling birth to age
four and the University Laboratory School enrolling Kindergarten through grade 12.
The college also has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute,
the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and Social
Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards
in teaching, research, and service and is committed to improving quality of life across
the lifespan.
Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education website.
About SOK
The LSU School of Kinesiology (SOK) advances the understanding of physical activity,
sport, and health to optimize the quality of life for diverse populations through
excellence in teaching, learning, discovery, and engagement. SOK offers a BS, MS,
Online MS, PhD, and two certificate options. Graduates go on to successful careers
in the health and fitness industry, corporate wellness, sport agencies and businesses,
athletic administration, and K-12 educational settings. SOK is part of the College
of Human Sciences & Education.
Visit the School of Kinesiology website.
[1] https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/statistics