Providence United Methodist Church
Saturday, September 19, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC) invites you to its premier annual event dedicated to empowering, educating, and connecting individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, their care partners, medical professionals, and other community advocates. The day features expert-led presentations, breakout sessions, and the latest insights on treatments, therapies, and resources for people with Parkinson’s. Through this dynamic event, PAC continues its mission of empowering individuals and families living in the Carolinas who are affected by Parkinson’s disease through education, outreach, and direct support.
The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 9.
Coming from outside of Charlotte? PAC has reserved a handfull of hotel rooms on Friday and Saturday nights at the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Southpark at a reduced rate of $149 per night. The Hilton Garden Inn is 2.5 miles from the Providence United Methodist Church.
CLICK HERE to reserve your room online. Or call (704) 362-5080 and mention you are with the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas.
9:00-9:30 AM
Registration & Vendor Visits
9:30-9:50 AM
Wake Up Yoga & Stretching
Aminta St. Onge
9:50-10:10 AM
Opening Remarks
10:10-11:30 AM
Keynote Session
Parkinson’s Treatment Panel: Medications, Surgeries, and Other Treatment Perspectives
Dr. Englert, Dr. Iyer, Jennifer Eleey
11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Vendor Visits
12:00-1:00 PM
Breakout Sessions. Pick ONE
- Go Big & Reclaim Movement: Understanding LSVT BIG and PWR! Moves
Sophia Dalabakis, Jenny Malutan - Parkinson’s Advocacy: Your Voice. Your Story. Your Impact
Beleil Lamb - YOPD: Living Beyond the Diagnosis
Scott Earnshaw - Care Partner Breakout
Nicole Cool
1:00-1:45 PM
Lunch & Visit Vendors
1:45-2:45 PM
Breakout Sessions. Pick ONE
- Go Big & Reclaim Movement: Understanding LSVT BIG and PWR! Moves
Sophia Dalabakis, Jenny Malutan - Parkinson’s Advocacy: Your Voice. Your Story. Your Impact
Beleil Lamb - YOPD Support Group, Shawn Pinner
- Care Partner Breakout
Nicole Cool
2:45-3:00 PM
Evaluations & Wrap
Meet the Speakers
Nicole Cool, BSN, RN, is the Nurse Coordinator with the MUSC Movement Disorders Program, which has been designated a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. Since 2019, she has dedicated her career to caring for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Nicole coordinates the Movement Disorders Interdisciplinary Clinic, provides patient education and care coordination, and connects patients and families with valuable resources and community support. She also coordinates the program’s monthly Parkinson’s Lunch & Learn series and coordinates the Newly Diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease Orientation.
Passionate about education and outreach, Nicole works closely with local support groups and helps organize community events throughout the Carolinas. She serves on the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day Committee and remains actively involved in initiatives that support and empower people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
Sophia Dalabakis, PT, DPT, LSVT-BIG is a co-owner of Vitality PT, and is dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s disease live active, confident, and independent lives. Dual-certified in LSVT BIG® and PWR!Moves®, Sophia specializes in neuro-targeted physical therapy that directly addresses the movement changes caused by Parkinson’s.
Through high-intensity, large-amplitude movement training, Sophia helps clients “recalibrate” their movement awareness by transforming everyday tasks like stepping, turning, and standing into smoother, safer actions.
Scott Earnshaw was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease in 2015 at the age of 45. Now he leverages his experience and passion to help other people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers navigate challenges and thrive beyond their diagnosis. Before retiring in 2026, he worked in the retirement services industry where he managed operations and client-facing teams, and led large projects spanning multiple organizations and disciplines. Scott and his wife Gretchen live in Huntersville, North Carolina and they have three grown children.
Jenn Eleey is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in neurology and movement disorders, with a primary focus on the care of individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. She practices alongside Dr. Robert Wiggins, where she is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses not only the complexities of Parkinson’s disease but also the needs of caregivers who play such a vital role throughout the disease journey.
Jenn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University before spending six years as an intensive care nurse. She later completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner training at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Prior to transitioning to movement disorders, she practiced primarily in geriatrics with a focus on hospice and palliative care. She brings this holistic approach to her patients with chronic neurodegenerative diseases.
Outside of medicine, Jenn is married and the proud mother of two young daughters, who inspire her daily and serve as her greatest motivation.
Danielle Englert, MD is a neurologist and movement disorders specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina. She serves as Section Chief for the PD and Movement Disorders Center and is Director of the Deep Brain Stimulation program for Atrium Health. She is a member of the Movement Disorders Society, American Academy of Neurology, and American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. She is a leader in the field of movement disorders with a special interest in deep brain stimulation.
Sanjay Iyer, MD is a fellowship-trained Movement Disorders Neurologist who specializes in the care of people with Parkinson’s Disease, tremors, dystonia, tics, and other movement related problems. He completed all his medical training at the Medical College of Georgia. Before joining Memory & Movement Charlotte, he spent more than a decade at Carolinas Healthcare System/Atrium Health, where he served as Department Chair of Neurology and Director of the Movement Disorders Center.
Dr. Iyer has always believed that a multi-disciplinary team approach provides the best care for patients and their care partners. As Medical Director of MMC, he encourages strong collaboration among our physicians, APP’s, nurses, social worker, and the in-house Powerback Rehab team that includes PT, OT, and Speech Therapy. He is a big proponent of exercise, patient empowerment and the power of positive thinking. When not at work, Dr. Iyer enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on his favorite sports teams and visiting Hilton Head Island as often as possible.
Beleil Lamb is an Atlanta-based Senior Advocacy Manager at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. With a background in research and advocacy, he plays a central role in advancing the Foundation’s policy priorities to benefit people living with Parkinson’s disease and their families. Beleil helps develop and implement advocacy strategies that ensure Parkinson’s-related issues are represented in federal, state, and local policymaking.
Jennifer Malutan, PTA, LSVT-BIG is the co-owner of Vitality PT, a concierge mobile physical therapy practice serving the Lake Norman and Charlotte communities. She is passionate about helping individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve their mobility, confidence and quality of life through evidence-based, one-on-one care delivered in the comfort of their homes. Jenny is dedicated to empowering people with Parkinson’s through education, neuro-based exercises and community engagement!
Shawn Pinner was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease in September of 2024. Once diagnosed, he began to research and work towards a better understanding of what was challenging him and what may lie ahead. He found great results with exercise and Rock Steady Boxing at the J. Smith Young YMCA in Lexington, NC and became an assistant coach. Shawn started attending the PAC YOPD Support Group and found it to be incredibly helpful. He spoke with many others who faced similar challenges that an individual with YOPD may face, such as how to tell your employer, how to get on disability, how to raise your children and let them know about Parkinson’s, how to plan for the future, how to balance your symptoms with day-to-day life and manage your stress and energy level. Shawn recently jumped at the opportunity to lead the PAC YOPD Support Group and is working towards keeping those with YOPD connected and giving them a place to vent, learn, and hopefully realize that they are not alone.
Aminta St. Onge is a highly experienced and compassionate yoga therapist with over 15 years of dedicated service, specializing in yoga for seniors and individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Her work, grounded in a disciplined yet empathetic approach, has positively impacted the lives of countless individuals, helping them regain strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Aminta’s commitment to her craft is evident in her extensive training and certifications, including a Master’s Degree in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health. With a sense of humor and unwavering dedication to safety, Aminta designs and implements creative and adaptive yoga programs tailored to the unique needs of her students. She is also the owner of YogaVibez, where she continues to innovate in the field of therapeutic yoga, participarly for those with chronic conditions.
We can’t put this event on without the support of our volunteers! Are you interested in helping with event setup or day of activities? Sign up to volunteer and make an impact!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT
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