The Parkinson’s Conference for caregivers and individuals with movement disorders is an annual conference hosted by the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association each spring. This 4-hour conference features expert speakers, such as local neurologists, movement specialists for the University of Florida and the Parkinson’s Foundation, to discuss the aspects of the diseases and provide practical tools that assist with each situation. This conference also allows attendees to meet with local sponsors in the healthcare field that may help their situation.

This past years Parkinson’s Conference featured:

Justin Boyd, PhD Sr. Director Translational Science for Vaxxinity, Entrepreneurial Scientist, Team Leader, and Program Manager with over 15 years of cross functional preclinical discovery, translational science, and early clinical development in global pharma, biotech, CRO, and academia. Experienced program and people leader executing target discovery, IND enabling studies, and biomarker strategies. Scientific Lead overseeing preclinical and translational studies. Accomplished drug discovery in neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, metabolic disease, fibrosis, rare diseases, and oncology.

Melissa Hamilton, M.A., CCC-SLP is the owner and lead therapist for Surf Side Speech Therapy for Adults, located in sunny and surfy Central Florida. She is a Florida State licensed and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist and specializes in evaluating and treating movement disorders , including Parkinson’s Disease.

Jital Patel OTR/L, CFPSis the founder and owner of Coastal Occupational Therapy which was founded for the purpose of serving Brevard’s elder population with comprehensive therapy services. She is a board licensed and registered Occupational Therapist as well as a Certified Falls Prevention Specialist.