Come out and join us for a full day of learning, wellness, and community. Hear from a diverse panel of speakers who will share fresh perspectives on Parkinson’s care, highlight the latest research developments, and provide practical tools and insights for living well with Parkinson’s.
Please note: A delicious and nutritious lunch will be served. While registration remains open until one day prior to the event, please notify us of any allergies or dietary restrictions by Monday, October 5.
Accommodations
DoubleTree by Hilton Kitchener – 30 Fairway Road South Kitchener, ON N2A 2N2
Group Rate
A special group rate of $169 per night, plus applicable taxes, is available for King and Double Queen guest rooms.
Booking Information
To reserve a room, please call 519-893-1211 and mention Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario to receive the group rate.
Accessible rooms are available upon request.
Please note: Rooms must be booked by Tuesday, September 15 to guarantee the group rate.
Hotel Amenities:
- Complimentary breakfast for two guests
- Complimentary high-speed wireless internet throughout the hotel
- Complimentary access to the fitness centre for all registered guests
- Complimentary daytime and overnight parking
- Indoor pool
- On-site dining at Arbor Kitchen and Bar
- On-site Starbucks
DoubleTree by Hilton
Book by Tuesday, September 15 to receive the group rate.
Presentations
Parkinson’s Together: Managing Symptoms & Maximizing Quality of Life
In this informative and engaging session, Heather Russell will guide attendees through a holistic look at Parkinson’s disease, exploring both motor and non-motor symptoms and how they impact everyday life.
Drawing from her extensive experience at the Movement Disorder Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre, Heather will highlight the important role of exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connection in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Attendees will also gain a clearer understanding of current treatment options, including the three device-aided therapies available in Canada, helping to better navigate the evolving landscape of Parkinson’s care.
Arts for Parkinson’s
Did you know that dance, singing, and theatre can have meaningful benefits for people living with Parkinson’s and their carepartners?
In this engaging presentation, Rebecca Barnstaple will explore recent research on the positive impacts of arts participation and introduce the growing concept of “arts on prescription,” where healthcare professionals can refer patients to arts-based activities as part of their wellness and care journey.
Navigating Healthcare and Feeling Lost
Ever felt overwhelmed navigating the healthcare system?
In this motivational and comedic keynote presentation, Sarah Boston shares her all-too-relatable journey through referrals, confusing forms, long wait times, and inconclusive medical visits.
Blending humour with lived experience, this session offers reassurance, connection, and practical insight for anyone who has ever felt lost within the healthcare system.
Register
Speakers
Heather Russell, RN, CANN Member
HEATHER RUSSELL has dedicated nearly three decades of her nursing career to caring for individuals with neurological conditions. Since 2014, she has served as the Movement Disorder Clinic Nurse at London Health Sciences Centre, where she supports people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders through compassionate, patient-centred care. Her background also includes extensive experience in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatric Oncology, and Hospice care. An internationally recognized presenter and active contributor to nursing education and advisory boards, Heather is committed to advancing Parkinson’s care and supporting healthcare professionals around the world.
Drawing on her extensive clinical experience and evidence-based practice, Heather’s presentation will provide a comprehensive perspective on Parkinson’s disease, exploring both its motor and non-motor symptoms and their impact on daily functioning and quality of life. She will discuss the important role of lifestyle interventions, including exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social engagement, in supporting symptom management and overall well-being. Heather will also provide an overview of current treatment options, including the three device-aided therapies available in Canada, offering attendees valuable insight into the evolving landscape of Parkinson’s care and the strategies available to help people live well with the disease.
Rebecca Barnstaple
DR. REBECCA BARNSTABLE is an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph whose research explores holistic approaches to chronic and complex disease, with a focus on arts-based interventions that support health and well-being. She recently established a national platform dedicated to advancing research on arts-based interventions and expanding access to these programs for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Trained as a dance/movement therapist, Dr. Barnstable has developed and delivered dance programs for people with Parkinson’s for more than a decade and is a strong advocate for innovative healthcare models such as Social Prescribing and Arts on Prescription.
Drawing on her research and community-based experience, Dr. Barnstable’s presentation will explore the growing evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of arts engagement for physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. She will introduce the emerging concept of Arts on Prescription, an innovative model that enables healthcare professionals to refer patients to community-based arts programs as part of holistic care. She will also lead an interactive demonstration of Dancing with Parkinson’s, showcasing how dance can support mobility, balance, coordination, and overall quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.
Dr. Sarah Boston
DR. SARAH BOSTON is a board-certified veterinary surgical oncologist, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and stand-up comedian. Following a distinguished academic career at the University of Guelph and the University of Florida, she now practices at Capital City Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital in Ottawa while continuing to lecture nationally and internationally. As the author of the bestselling memoir Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved My Life, her advocacy and comedy are deeply informed by her lived experience as a cancer survivor. She is also the host of the ComHEATHER RUSSELLedicine podcast, where she explores the intersection of healthcare and comedy with fellow healthcare professionals.
Drawing on her personal journey, Dr. Boston’s presentation will offer practical insights into navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, including accessing treatments, bridging gaps between medical appointments, advocating for oneself, and finding reliable information when questions remain unanswered during clinical visits. Blending humour with lived experience, she will explore these universal challenges while sharing strategies that empower individuals to become more informed, confident, and active participants in their own care.
