The UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences is hosting its annual Parkinson’s disease symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center, 12520 Westport Parkway, La Vista.
The symposium, titled “Parkinson’s Disease in 2017: Improving the Patient Experience,” is open to Parkinson’s disease patients, their family members and their caregivers. A record 950 participants from across Nebraska and the Midwest will attend.
Presentations will focus on new and emerging treatments, as well as on practical approaches to help patients cope with the challenges of daily living with Parkinson’s disease.
The keynote speaker, John Bertoni, M.D., Ph.D., is the director of UNMC’s Parkinson’s disease program.
“This year’s annual symposium is our largest ever,” Dr. Bertoni said. “This is especially appropriate, because 2017 is a very important year for Parkinson’s disease in Nebraska.
“Parkinson disease was first discovered 200 years ago, in 1817, by Dr. James Parkinson. In addition to marking this milestone, we’re also celebrating an important, Nebraska-centered contribution to Parkinson’s disease research,” Dr. Bertoni said.
This year also is the 20th anniversary of the Nebraska Parkinson’s Disease Registry.
“Since Jan. 1, 1997, the registry has tracked every case of Parkinson’s disease diagnosed within the state,” Dr. Bertoni said. “The data gathered through this registry are a unique and valuable resource that are helping us to shed light on the risk factors for Parkinson’s disease.”
In honor of the UNMC Parkinson’s disease symposium and the 20th anniversary of the Nebraska Parkinson’s Disease Registry, Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed Oct. 30, 2017, to be Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Day.
The department is honored by the governor’s proclamation, said Matthew Rizzo, M.D., chair of the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences.
“This outreach to the Parkinson’s disease community is an important part of our ongoing mission to provide world-class education and neurological care to the citizens of Nebraska,” Dr. Rizzo said.