Providence United Methodist Church
2810 Providence Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
Resources – Education – Support
Registration is now full.
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.
REGISTRATION FOR THE SYMPOSIUM IS FULL!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, CLICK THE REGISTER BUTTON BELOW. IF SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE WE WILL CONTACT YOU.
EVENT AGENDA
| 8:30-9:00 AM | Registration, Breakfast, and Visit with Sponsors |
| 8:45-9:00 AM | Wake Up Gentle Yoga Stretching Aminta St. Onge |
| 9:05-9:15 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks from the Presenting Sponsor |
| 9:15-10:05 AM | Keynote Session What’s New: Updates in Research and Treatments Dr. Robert Wiggins |
| 10:05-10:40 AM | Break. Visit with Sponsors. |
| 10:45-11:30 AM | General Session Caring for the Caregiver Maggie Ivancic |
| 11:40 AM – 12:25 PM | Breakout Sessions. Pick ONE
|
| 12:30-1:05 PM | Lunch. Visit with Sponsors. |
| 1:05-1:50 PM | Breakout Sessions. Pick ONE
|
| 1:55-2:00 PM | Wrap-Up and Event Evaluations |
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Mattie Ablitz, MOTR/L is an Occupational Therapist with over 13 years of clinical experience. Mattie is an expert in the treatment of adults and seniors in the home care setting, with special focus on home safety, home modifications, wheelchair seating, adaptive equipment, and working with clients and families with advanced-stage neurological diagnoses. She earned her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from James Madison University, and has clinical experience in a wide variety of settings including home health, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, adult day care centers, skilled nursing, and mental health. Mattie is a certified Falls Prevention Specialist, and has micro credentials from the American Occupational Therapy Association in the areas of Home Modification/Fall Prevention and Community Mobility. Mattie owns a private mobile-outpatient therapy practice in Charlotte, NC, focusing on home safety, home modifications, adaptive equipment assessments, and caregiver training.
Dr. Huberto Leal Bailey, MD, is a board-certified neurologist specializing in movement disorders and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s dementia. He currently practices at Atrium Health Neurology in Gastonia, NC. Dr. Bailey completed his residency in neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and pursued a fellowship in movement disorders at the University of Texas Houston McGovern Medical School. He also holds a Master’s degree in Neurosciences from the University of Strasbourg in France. Dr. Bailey is known for his compassionate, multilingual approach to patient care and his dedication to advancing neurological health.
Maggie Ivancic, MSW, LCSW is the clinical social worker and center coordinator for the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, CurePSP Center of Care, and MSA Center of Excellence at UNC’s Movement Disorders Center. She facilitates support groups for people with Parkinson’s disease, PSP/CBS, and MSA. She coordinates specialty interdisciplinary clinics for people with Parkinson’s disease and atypical Parkinsonism. Maggie enjoys participating in both clinical and research efforts to improve patient and care partner care and quality of life. This year, her team was grance a UNC Health Innovations Pilot Award to improve the hospitalization experience for people with Parkinson’s disease across the UNC Health System. Maggie received her MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her clinical internship with Duke Movement Disorders Center.
Gabby Jones, MT-BC, NMT, is a board certified music therapist with specialized training in Neurologic Music Therapy to foster neurorehabilitation and recovery. She loves working with individuals of all abilities and is passionate about encouraging and promoting self-care and mental well being with the community she serves through work at Piedmont Music Therapy Clinic and Studio.
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.
Katie Tyndall was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021. She is the mother of five with a background in education and psychology. Since her diagnosis, Katie has managed her symptoms through a combination of medication, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Determined to “fight the fight,” Katie is passionate about connecting with others living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). She is committed to building a supportive community of people who truly understand the challenges of living with YOPD. Beginning this fall, Katie will host a monthly YOPD support group to foster connection, encouragement, and shared strength.
Robert Wiggins, MD, is a neurologist in Charlotte and the Director of Movement Disorders at Novant Neurology. He is developing the Novant PD program to bring cutting edge treatments and more research options to the region. He is an adjunct assistant professor at UNC School of Medicine where he went to medical school. He completed his neurology residency at the University of Virginia and his Movement Disorders fellowship at New York University. He most enjoys endurance sports and reading classic literature. He also serves on the Western Carolina Board of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Are you interested in helping with event setup or day of activities? Sign up to to volunteer and make an impact!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT
Presenting Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Abbott
Abvie
AvionRX
Boston Scientific
CND Life Sciences
Merz
Breakfast Sponsor
Visiting Angels
Exhibitors
Atrium Health Carolinas Rehab, Assisted Living Locators, Carolina Caring
Memory and Movement Charlotte, Senior Helpers Waxhaw-Monroe, The Poise Project,
Trevi Senior Living, Village on Morehead, YogaVibez
