On October 27, Tampa JCCs and Federation and Michael J. Fox Foundation to Host Parkinson’s Symposium for Empowerment and Action

U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis to speak on the National Plan To End Parkinson’s Act

Tampa, FL, August 27, 2024— The Tampa JCCs and Federation, in partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health, will host a state-wide Parkinson’s symposium this fall at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, 522 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, as well as virtually on Zoom. The event, titled “The National Parkinson’s Project: Empowerment and Action,” will focus on empowering people with Parkinson’s and care partners with access to resources, the latest research, and community connections. The event will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 12:00-4:30 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, the program will be live streamed on Zoom.

This year’s symposium celebrates the recent passage into law of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act.  Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), who was the key sponsor of the legislation, will be the keynote speaker. The Congressman will describe the impact of this first-ever federal initiative to prevent and cure Parkinson’s disease, treat its symptoms, and slow or stop its progression.

“Parkinson’s takes a terrible toll on the physical, emotional and economic well-being of everyone involved. The lack of treatment options leaves patients, families, and American taxpayers in a terrible quandary,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Events like the symposium are vital for helping the community identify the resources that are available to help individuals, families, and caregivers manage the effects of this disease.”

Other featured speakers include Robert Hauser, MD, MBA, Movement Disorder Specialist, Director, USF Health Department of Neurology, Division of Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence; Luis Miguel Oliveira, PhD, Senior Scientist at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Key contributor to the landmark study that validated the first biomarker for Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, and; Yarema Bezchlibnyk, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, USF Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, Surgical Director, Movement Disorders Neuromodulation Center.

The Tampa JCCs and Federation’s Parkinson’s program includes a wide selection of fitness classes that are specifically tailored for people with Parkinson’s and led by trained, certified group exercise instructors.  The program also offers workshops focused on fine motor skills, brain games, and educational events.  Additionally, participants can partake in voice therapy sessions led by a certified speech pathologist, social events, and support groups facilitated by a specialized licensed clinical social worker.

Mark Gesner, The Maureen and Douglas Cohn Executive Director of the Tampa JCCs, added, “We recognize the tremendous value this program has in helping people with Parkinson’s live their best quality of life and we are determined to expand our efforts and impact. We’re grateful to Congressman Bilirakis for his continued advocacy and we encourage others to join us in the fight to combat and end this dreadful disease.”

To register for the event, visit JewishTampa.com/Parkinsons. For information on symposium sponsorship opportunities, contact pnina.levermore@jewishtampa.com.

About TJCCF

The Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation’s mission is to support and enrich the continuity of Jewish life and values in the community, in Israel, and worldwide.  An important component of this mission is to improve the quality of life in the community for everyone who lives here – Jewish and non-Jewish.  The organization operates two JCCs, Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC and the JCC on the Cohn Campus.  All services are available to anyone regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.  For more information about the Tampa JCCs & Federation, visit jewishtampa.com.