I am going to split the September meeting notes in two, because they are long. This post includes News From Dr. Falconer and Upcoming Events and Resources. In the next few days I will add notes from Dr. Falconer’s talk.
News from Dr. Falconer:
Our September speaker was Dr. Drew Falconer, Board Certified Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist. He is Co-Director (along with Dr. Rogers) of the Movement Disorders Program at Inova. Dr. Falconer was accompanied by Matt, a representative from the pharmaceutical company that has recently released a new drug and inhalation device designed to alleviate off times.
Dr. Falconer arrived as we were eating lunch, courtesy of Matt. He has visited our group many times and needs no formal introduction. He joined us at the lunch table and shared some exciting news: the hiring of two new movement disorder specialists. The first is Dr. David Whitney, who recently completed a two year movement disorder fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and started two weeks ago. He is an exceptional physician, according to Dr. Falconer, who has joined the practice to further improve access to specialty care in our community. He will be at the Fair Oaks office most days (3580 Joseph Siewick Drive #206; 703-391-4500) and in Gainesville one-day-a-week. The second is Dr. Hannah Marie Walters, currently a movement disorder fellow at the University of Virginia Movement Disorders Clinic. She will also be in Fair Oaks and Gainesville (once a week) beginning the summer of 2020. “We are all a part of the same team,” Dr. Falconer said, adding that patients can see the doctors in Fair Oaks if it’s more convenient for them and can also see him once or twice a year in the Alexandria or Fairfax office if they wish.
The Movement Disorders Program was launched four years ago (in 2015) with the goal of high academic-quality movement disorder care available to all. To that end, Sonia Gow has been hired as their new Program and Community Outreach Manager. Sonia will continue to run the cafes that she now offers through Parkinson Social Network (with the added power of Inova behind her) and will be a resource to help organize additional support groups.
Upcoming Events and Resources:
Inova Movements Disorders Center is holding a community educational event on Thursday, October 10th at 4:00 p.m. at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church and would like to invite our group members (and family members) to attend. Seating is limited, so early RSVP is suggested if you are interested. The event will include a talk on new treatments for Parkinson’s disease, a chance to meet new team members Dr. David Whitney and Sonia Gow, and an extended question and answer session. Please see attached flyer and feel free to pass along to anyone you think may be interested. RSVP to marie.bermudez@inova.org or 703-776-3130.
Late notice, but this just in! Today from 2.00-3.00 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The Parkinson’s Voice Project is hosting an in-person and on-line event Sing Out.
David Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s is offering a free Live Webinar on Psychiatric and Cognitive Complications in Parkinson’s. Click here for more information and to register.
The American Parkinsons Disease Association, Hampton Roads, VA Chapter, is hosting 2019 Virginia Education Day on Saturday, September 28 from 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. in Williamsburg, VA. Click on the link for more information and the attached flyer for hotel and registration information and deadlines. This is a statewide one day Parkinson’s education day that incorporates speakers who live with Parkinson’s and healthcare professionals.
Alec of Rock Steady Boxing is working on adding a new location in the Springfield/Alexandria area. If you are interested, please contact Alec Langstein at nova@rsbaffiliate.com or call 571-730-8553.
Reminder about several upcoming programs, all of which are posted with links in our August blog:
1. Growing Resilience: Mindfulness and Body Awareness for People WIth Parkinson’s Disease starts September 28.
2. The Singercize: Improving Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms though Singing is coming to the Kennedy Center on Thursday, September 12. The event is free, but you need a free pass to enter.
3. Capital Music Therapy Services is working to start a music therapy class soon.
4. George Mason University kicks off clinical trial for Treating Parkinson’s Disease.
A few Reading/Listening Resources:
The New Yorker: “Linda Ronstadt Has Found Another Voice”
The Positive Brain Podcast: Interview with Sonia Gow on Parkinson’s Cafes and how Parkinson Social Network (PSN) came into being.
The Inova community event was shared by Dr. Falconer. The rest are from Angela Robb, Wife, Carepartner and Co-Author of Dealing and Healing with Parkinson’s Disease and Other Health Conditions: A Workbook for Body. Mind and Spirit. Karl Robb’s website is A Soft Voice in a Noisy World.