Education Programs

We believe that education is an important part of living life with PD and we have an education committee that is dedicated to bring the best possible information to our community so that you can understand and live well with PD. Join us for one of our PD Talks online.

Living with Parkinson’s Disease and Emerging Treatments
Wednesday, July 29, 3:30 pm
(The talk is free, but advanced registration is required)

The Parkinson Association of Southwest Florida is hosting a rare opportunity for a free virtual talk on emerging treatments and best practices for living with PD with renowned Chair of Neurology, Professor and Co-Founder of the movement disorders program at the University of Florida (UF) Michael S. Okun M.D., on July 22, 2020 at 3:30 pm. The talk is free, but registration through the PASWFL is required by registering online or calling our office at 239-239-417-3465.

About Michael S. Okun M.D.
Recognized by the White House in 2015 as a Champion of Change for Parkinson’s Disease, Chair of Neurology and Founder of the movement disorders program at the University of Florida (UF), Dr. Okun also serves as the National Medical Director for the Parkinson’s Foundation since 2006. Dr. Okun was instrumental in the construction of a one-stop patient-centered clinical-research experience for national and international patients seeking care at the University of Florida, now considered to be the service and science hub model of care for its innovative clinical-research model. Dr. Okun’s areas of research and study include Parkinson disease, Chronic motor tic disorder, Deep brain stimulation, Dystonia, Essential tremor, Movement Disorders including – uncontrollable, slow or uncoordinated Movement, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Progressive supranuclear palsy, Tourette syndrome and Tremor.

Michael S. Okun received his M.D. with honors from the University of Florida. He was fellowship trained by Mahlon DeLong, Jerrold Vitek and Ray Watts at Emory University in Atlanta GA before moving to found the movement disorders program at the University of Florida. He is currently Chair of Neurology, Professor and Executive Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida Health College of Medicine. The UF institute he co-founded with Kelly D. Foote, M.D. is unique in that it is comprised of over 100 interdisciplinary faculty members from diverse areas of campus, all of whom are dedicated to care, outreach, education and research.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Dr. Okun has been an integral part of some of the pioneering studies exploring the cognitive, behavioral, and mood effects of brain stimulation and since 2005 his laboratory has been working to uncover the electrical brain signals associated with human tic. He has also partnered with Dr. Ayse Gunduz and Kelly Foote to develop a first generation of closed loop adaptive deep brain stimulation approaches.

Dr. Okun was the founding PI for the International Database and Public Registry for Tourette Deep Brain Stimulation. He and his group have contributed data to support the FDA approval of several device related approaches now used to treat human disease. Dr. Okun holds the Adelaide Lackner Professorship in Neurology and has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles. He is a poet (Lessons From the Bedside, 1995) and his book, Parkinson’s Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life, was translated into over 20 languages.

Although our programs are always free for members, for security and safety reasons, we do request that everyone attending an online or in person program complete a free membership application and participation waiver.

For your convenience the membership application is available to complete online, or if you would prefer printed forms, you can download them and return them to us by mail. Are you unsure if you completed a waiver or membership form? Call us at 239-417-3465 and we will be delighted to check for you. CLICK TO JOIN