VCU to Co-Host Huntington Disease Community Education Day

By Frances Dumenci

The Virginia Commonwealth University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center will co-host Huntington Disease Community Education Day this weekend.

The event will take place Saturday, May 4, at the Jonah L. Larrick Center, 900 Turpin St., Richmond, from 10:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Along with the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center, the seminar is co-sponsored by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at the University of Virginia.

The workshop will provide information about advances in Huntington Disease (HD) clinical care and treatment, research updates and how to identify resources to improve quality of life.  Breakout sessions will be offered for caregivers, people with HD and at-risk individuals. This seminar will benefit people with HD as well as their families and friends. Health care professionals who work with this patient population are also welcome to attend.

Speakers include Karen Anderson, M.D., director of the Georgetown University Huntington Disease Care, Education and Research Center; Madaline Harrison, M.D., director of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at the University of Virginia; Sarah Lageman, Ph.D., neuropsychologist at the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center; Adam Rosenblatt, M.D., director of Geriatric Psychiatry, VCU Department of Psychiatry, and co-director, Huntington Disease program at VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center; Kenneth L. Cady, of the University of Virginia; and Drew Yeannakis of Disability Claims Representatives.

An enrichment breakout for those diagnosed with HD will include interactive sessions, including laughter yoga led by Estelle Brodeur, Mindbody Health of Richmond; music therapy led by Fern Cohen, VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center; and occupational therapy resources provided by the VCU Department of Occupational Therapy.

Registration is $10 per person. Scholarships are available.

For more information, call (804) 828-3747 or email pdcenter@vcu.edu.