5th Annual Southeastern Parkinson Disease Conference 

Atlanta will become the international focus on Parkinson Disease as the Northwest Georgia Parkinson Disease Association presents its 5^th Annual Southeastern Parkinson Disease Conference (SPDC).  The SPDC has been held in Rome, Georgia for the past four years and has drawn attendees from all across the United States.  What began as a local education symposium in 2006, is now an internationally recognized conference drawing attendees from all across the United States, Canada and Europe.

This year, the Northwest Georgia Parkinson Disease Association is partnering with the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDC) and the APDA Information and Referral Center at Emory to present the SPDC and include as part of the conference, the 3^rd in a series of Young Onset Parkinson Conference making this year’s conference a “MUST ATTEND” for people of all ages.  The Conference will begin on Friday, October 15^th with a “Meet & Greet” reception from 6:30pm – 9:00pm.  In addition to the reception, there will be two pre-conference classes available for new attendees and for the newly diagnosed. 

The main conference will begin at 8:00am on Saturday, October 16^th and will include sessions by Medical Professionals and “Patient Experts”.  Conference sessions include sessions on stem cells, family issues, treatment options, clinical trials participation and advocacy.  Many of the sessions will be presented from both the Professional and Patient views.  There will also be a 2 part program for people interested in becoming a support group facilitator. 

Full Conference Registration is only $79.00 per person and includes the following meals as well as all conference activities:  Friday “Meet & Greet” Reception; Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch.  A special room rate of $79.00 per night has been arranged with the Sheraton Gateway Hotel.  All conference activities will take place at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta, GA. 
Special daily rate available:

• SATURDAY: Symposium & Lunch only                       $32.64
• SUNDAY:  Symposium & Lunch only                           $32.64
• SATURDAY & SUNDAY Symposium & Lunch only:  $53.75

Reservations for the FULL Conference may be made online at www.gaparkinsons.org or by calling 706-235-3164.  Hotel Reservations can be made online or by calling 770-990-1100 and asking for the “Parkinson’s Conference” rate.

Conference Faculty Include:
Medical and Allied Health Professionals

v      Dr. Cynthia Comella, MD - Chicago

v      Dr. Penny Hallett, MD -McLean Hospital Center – Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center

v      Dr. Paul Short, PhD. – Parkinson Disease Family Service Organization

v      Dr. Gila Bronner, MD, Sheba Medical Center, Israel

v      Dr. Mathew Ford, PT, PhD – University of Alabama/Birmingham

v      Dr. Joel Greenburg, MD – Savannah Neurology

v      Dr. Darlene Lobel, MD – North Georgia Physicians Group

v      Dr. Alan Freeman, MD – Emory Health System

v      Dr. Stewart Factor, DO – Emory Health System

v      Dr. Marioin Evatt, MD – Emory Health System

v      Marina Gillman, MA, MM, CCC-SLP – Emory  Voice Center

v      Patricia Auston, CNRN, CRRN – St. Joseph’s Hospital – Springfield, MO

v      Margorie Frazier, APRN-BC – Georgia Highlands College

v      Hayley Carpenter, Parkinson’s Action Network - Washington, DC

v      Victoria Collier, JD

Patient Experts

v      Betsy Baskwell

v      Ken Cater & Peggy Willocks

v      Jackie Hunt Christensen

v      Gretchen and Michael Church

v      Ben Jackson

v      Sheryl Jedlinksi

v      Rich London

v      Pamela MacAllister

v      Judy Murphy

v      Angela & Karl Robb

v      Brandi Roman