Register to attend this free day of education, networking, and inspiration for all affected by Parkinson's disease.

June 1, 2022

BATON ROUGE – The LSU School of Kinesiology announces the 10th Annual Louisiana Parkinson’s Conference. This year’s event will take place in-person for the first time since 2020 and will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the C. B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center.

“We are honored to celebrate the tenth year of this impactful event,” says Don Ingram, PhD and Adjunct Professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. “This event came about through the dedication, hard work, and support of many different parties, and when we began this conference ten years ago, we couldn’t have dreamed of the impact it would have on the Parkinson’s community.”

The number of commercially insured adults diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is on the rise, according to a 2020 report from Blue Cross Blue Shield, with approximately 14 percent of cases diagnosed in adults younger than 50.¹ This event offers individuals from across the state of Louisiana the opportunity to come to Baton Rouge and learn about the latest research, share effective strategies for managing the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, and connect with others impacted by this illness at no cost. 

Dr. Ingram continues, “Since its beginnings, we have brought together more than 2,000 attendees, held nearly 50 informative sessions, and provided critical resources to persons with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, researchers, and more.”

Kicking off a day of learning and community-building, survivor, fighter, leader, author, and speaker Greg Ritscher will deliver this year’s P.J. Mills Keynote Address. Mr. Ritscher became a global advocate regarding Parkinson’s disease research after his 2011 diagnosis. His message of “mak[ing] every single day count for something better” has inspired countless fellow persons with Parkinson’s. 

The P.J. Mills Keynote Address began last year through a generous endowment by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation on behalf of the late Percy Joseph (P.J.) Mills, Jr. Mr. Mills was a prominent figure in the Louisiana business and political sectors and a longtime advocate for community-building. Among his many roles throughout his career, he was the President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. He passed away January 16, 2021 from complications related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The keynote address, named for Mr. Mills, honors his legacy of service and excellence.

"Nearly one million people in the U.S. live with Parkinson's disease² with over 10,000 in Louisiana, yet the experience for each person differs," says Jan Hondzinski, PhD and Professor at the LSU School of Kinesiology. "By bringing together people affected by Parkinson’s disease - whether it is a patient, caregiver, clinician, or researcher - we can help ensure they not only have the tools they need to live well with the disease, but that these individuals also have a community of people surrounding them on their journey."

Sessions at this year’s conference include presentations on “Parkinson’s Friendly Changes for the Home,” research on wearable exosuits and how they benefit walking, and a presentation by Baton Rouge’s Dr. Gerald Calegan, who helped pioneer the capital city’s first Deep Brain Stimulation Center to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Conference attendees can attend a variety of sessions, as well as learn about local and national resources, support groups, and more.

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 the LSU School of Kinesiology
The LSU School of Kinesiology 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. 

Visit the School of Kinesiology at lsu.edu/kinesiology.  

About the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education
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 Leadership and Human Resource Development, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8 undergraduate degree programs and 18 graduate programs, enrolling more than 1,900 undergraduate and 977 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is continually working to improve its programs. 

Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education at chse.lsu.edu.

^{1 https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/prevalence-of-parkinsons-disease-rising-younger-adults}

^{2 https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics}