APDA Iowa Education 2026 Annual APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference

2026 Annual APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference

2026 Annual APDA Iowa Conference – Connected in Community. Strengthened by Support.

Annual APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference Registration

Event Details

  • When: Friday, June 5th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
    • Doors open at 8:00 am for registration and resource fair
  • Where: Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Ticket Prices: One for $15.00, Two for $25.00

About the Conference

The 2026 APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference brings together individuals impacted by Parkinson’s disease, care partners, family members, and healthcare professionals for a full day of education, inspiration, and connection. Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore breakout sessions, and gain practical tools and strategies for living well with Parkinson’s.

This year’s conference theme, Connected in Community. Strengthened by Support., emphasizes the power of shared knowledge, community engagement, and support networks in improving quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.

Why Attend

  • Gain practical tools and strategies to manage Parkinson’s disease
  • Connect with leading experts in PD care, research, and therapy
  • Learn about mental health, cognition, nutrition, and innovative treatments
  • Network with other people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, and healthcare professionals

“As a care partner, I know how overwhelming Parkinson’s can feel, but attending this program reminded me that we are not alone. The knowledge, support, and connections you gain here can truly change how you navigate this journey. If you love someone with Parkinson’s, this is something you cannot afford to miss.” — Nancy, PD Advocate & Care Partner

Featured Speakers

Keynote Speakers

  • Kathleen Matthews, PhD – The Unseen Battle: Supporting Mental Health & Wellbeing in PD
  • Peggy & Jeff Johnson, PhD – Hearing I (WE) Have Parkinson’s
  • Lee Neilson, MD – Cognitive Dysfunction and Resilience in Parkinson’s Disease
  • Lynn Struck, MD – Adaptive DBS

Breakout Session Speakers

  • Elizabeth Stegemoller, PhD & Ryan Smith, MM, MT-BC: Music, Movement, and Mind: Understanding Music Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
  • Care Partner Panel: Bob Miller, Lori Samson, and others
  • Caitlyn Ferin, RD, LD: Cooking for Confidence: Simple Recipes for Parkinson’s Nutrition
  • Jeremy Greenlee, MD: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  • Cynthia Letsch, JD: Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me? Yes, You Can Qualify for Medicaid without Spending all of your Money First.
  • Emily Anker, SLP & Hillary Harting, SLP: Preserving Communication, Identity, and Connection Through AAC
  • Sophia Slocum, OTR/L & Jamie Rognes, OTD: Double the Challenge, Double the Impact: Dual Tasking with Parkinson’s Disease
  • Dr. Dale & Mary Vermeer Andringa : Finding Your Purpose in Third Phase – AT CAPACITY
  • Courtney Sand, MS: Having But Not Having: Ambiguous Loss and Parkinson’s
  • Sarah Martin, DPT & Cadence Simmons, SLP: LSVT Big & Loud

Register today to secure your spot!
If you need assistance with registration, call 515.207.6296

Annual APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference Registration

Thank you to our 2026 APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference sponsors!


Presenting Sponsor:


Presenting Community Foundation:

Caress Family Foundation

The Noble Foundation

Platinum Sponsor:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsor:

APDA Iowa Conferences – Archived Session Videos and Slides

2025 Iowa Parkinson’s Conference – West Des Moines

Keynote Presentations

Laughing at Tigers – Carole Deyoe, RPh – slides
Exercise to Reduce PD Symptoms – Daniel Corcos, PhD – slides
The Gut-Brain Connection in PD – Richard Manfready, MD – slides
The Latest PD Treatments Lynn Struck, MD – slides

AM Breakout Sessions

FAQ, Ask the Doc – Keith Kohout, MD and Randall Hamilton, MD – slides
Nutrition Strategies – Jessica Schroeder, RDN, LD – slides
Improving Outcomes through Rehabilitation Therapy – Jillian Jones, DPD – slides
Area Education and Aging Resources Overview – Leah Brooke, MS, RDN, LD and Crystal Doig – Area Education slides – Aging Resources slides
Exercise Options – Boxing and Dance – Brandon Brockshus and Brenda Tubelo Pereira de Mattos – slides

PM Breakout Sessions

Care Partners Support – Lynhon Stout, MSW and Valerie Stickel Diehl, RN, MS – handouts
DBS, Is it right for me? Jeremy Greenlee, MD –
Addressing Challenges and Solutions to Driving – Kelsee Hove, OTD and Michelle Flora, COTA, CBIS – slides
Cognitive Fitness: More than Crossword Puzzles – Cassie Serrata, MS-CCC-SLP – slides
Exercise Options – Yoga and Tai Chi – Brandon Brockshus and Brenda Tubelo Pereira de Mattos

2024 Iowa Parkinson’s Conference – West Des Moines

AM Keynote Speakers

Tips and Tools to Live Your Best Life – Kay Arvidson and Lyle Gibson

Why do I need to move? – Elizabeth Stegemöller, PhD

AM Breakout Sessions

PD 101 and Managing Stress and Anxiety – Gail McGaughy, MPT, C/NDT, CLT, CBIS, PT

PD and Pelvic Floor Solutions – Lily Jorgenson, DPT

PM Breakout Sessions

DBS, Is it right for me? – Jeremy Greenlee, MD

Overcoming Financial Barriers paying for PD Meds – Matt Korte, PharmD

Medicare 101 – Aaron Peterson

Connecting through Art, Music, Movement – Sam Erwin, MS, MA, ATR

PM Keynotes

Psychiatry Management in Parkinson’s Disease – Leonard Richards, DO

Non-Motor Symptoms of PD – Lynn Struck, MD

2024 Siouxland Regional Parkinson Conference

Exercise as Medicine slides – Martin Walsh

Orthostatic Hypotension slides- Isaac Tubbesing

Palliative Care for PD slides – Dr. Amy Callaghan

Managing Parkinson’s Symptoms slides – Allison Owings

What’s New in Studies and Treatment slides- Kassandra Diaz

2023 Annual APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference

Morning Sessions – Get Out and Go – Linda K. Olson, MD, FACR, Motivational Speaker, Author, Triple Amputee, 5-minute Move Break – LSVT Big demo – Gail McGaughy, PT (starts at 1:15:52), and Moving Along to New Horizons in Parkinson Research– exercise, balance, and vision – Aasef Shaikh, MD, PhD, Penni and Stephen Weinberg Chair in Brain Health and Vice Chair for Research, Dept. of Neurology, Cleveland Medical Center (starts at 1:31:01) Linda Olson Slides

Breakout Sessions 1:

Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms and Treatment Strategies of Each – Alex Eischeid, MD,
Movement Specialist, MercyOne Neurology

Medicare and You, Making the Most of your Benefits – Ann Goodman, Shiip Counselor. Slides

Staying Motivated on your Fitness Journey – Javier Tuel, BS, ISSA Certified Personal Trainer,
Tuelshed Training. Slides

The Nuts, Bolts and History of Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson’s Disease Tremor – Travis
Tierney, MD, PhD, Staff Neurosurgeon, St. Mary’s Hospital, Nebraska City, Nebraska. Slides

Building your Healthcare Team – Gail McGaughy, MPT, C/NDT, CLT, CBIS, Physical therapist and
Tammy Miller, COTA/L, MHS, CBIST, CCM, Dir. Outpatient Services, On With Life. Slides

Breakout Sessions 2:

Deep Brain Stimulation, Is it right for me? – Jeremy Greenlee, MD, from the University of Iowa.

Managing your Mental Health and the Variations in Advancing Parkinson’s Disease – Dianne
Alber, PhD. Slides

Navigating Disability Rights and PD in the Workplace – Cynthia P. Letsch, J.D. Slides

PD and Strategies to Live Well – Valerie Stickel-Diehl, RN, MS, MSCN. Slides

Management of Swallowing Disorders in PD – Jennifer Scharn, M.A., CCC-SLP and Jodie
Roesler, M.A. CCC-SLP. Slides

Afternoon Sessions – Psychiatry Management in Parkinson’s Disease – Leonard S. Richards, DO, Psychiatrist, UnityPoint Health; 5-minute Move Break – Dr. Elizabeth Stegemoller, PhD Neurosciences (starts at 45:13, and PD and Managing Medical Emergency, Urgent Care, ER, or Hospitalization –
Lynn Struck, MD, from UnityPoint Health (starts at 34:29). Dr. Richards slides, Dr. Struck Slides

2022 Annual APDA Iowa Parkinson’s Conference

Summer 2022 Iowa Parkinson’s Conference

Write a New Chapter in Your PD Journey…And Make It an Inspiring One
Brenda Clark Hamilton, MA Ed. Fresh Coffee Professional Growth Programs
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Exercise – Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease and the Aging Brain Jackie Russell, RN, BSN, CNOR, ACE, and David Zid, BA ACE APG, Total HealthWorks, Co-Founders OhioHealth Delay the Disease
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Fusing the Virtual and Real-worlds to Aid in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Jay Alberts, Ph.D., Vice Chair of Innovations, Cleveland Clinic Founder Pedaling for Parkinson’s
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Non-Motor Symptoms of PD Lynn Struck, MD, Neurology Movement Specialist, Unity Point,
APDA Iowa Medical Director
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Sleep in Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders Stuart McCarter, MD, Mayo Clinic
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Total HealthWorks Exercise Workshop – Break-out Session David Zid, BA ACE APG, and Jackie Russell, RN BSN CNOR, Total HealthWorks 

Unleashing the Power of Nutrition in Managing Parkinson’s Jessica Schroeder, RDN LD, Expedition Wellness
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Deep Brain Stimulation – Is it Right for Me? Jeremy Greenlee, MD, University of Iowa Hospitals 
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.

Research at ISU; Stronger than Ever Elizabeth Stegemoller, PhD., Iowa State University College of Human Sciences
Click Here to view the PowerPoint.