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The Parkinson’s Foundation (PF) Centers of Excellence Leadership Conference took place in Boston in May. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab was well-represented with Drs. Rafferty and Goldman presenting on exercise and rehabilitation initiatives, respectively. It was a terrific opportunity to share the work we’ve done with the Parkinson's Foundation to help advance the field for rehabilitation care and science for Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Rafferty, along with physical therapists Terry Ellis, PT, Boston University, Glen Kasman, PT, and advocate as a person living with PD, and Lisa Hoffman, exercise trainer and PF lead, presented the new exercise guidelines and competencies for exercise professionals in the management of people with Parkinson’s. Not only is exercise important for people with Parkinson’s, but having educated exercise professionals who can deliver care and sessions with training and knowledge specifically about Parkinson’s is also very important. Training and education are key.
Dr. Goldman, along with Daniele Volpe from the Fresco Parkinson Institute, Terry Ellis, PT, Glen Kasman, PT, Julia Wood, OT, and Kristin Wallock, OT and PF lead, presented work on the global rehabilitation initiative, the importance of rehabilitation in Parkinson’s and its growing evidence base, as well as the task force’s consensus statement on providing rehabilitation care for people with Parkinson’s. Wonderful to share this important work with the Parkinson’s community of healthcare professionals and advocates for Parkinson’s.
