Parkinson's Policy Podcast

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Jessi Keavney, a dedicated Parkinson's advocate and member of the National Council. Jessie shares her powerful perspective on the current landscape of policy advocacy, and the critical importance of community engagement in driving legislative change. Tune in to hear her insights on what the future holds for Parkinson's r...

The first ever meeting of the federal Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care, and Services was recently held to guide the National Plan to End Parkinson's. The council's goals are to improve Parkinson's disease diagnosis, prevent the disease, and support care partners. Advocacy groups are pushing for fast action. We give our recap of this important discussion.

In this heartfelt episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Del. Richard Sullivan to discuss Virginia’s proposed paraquat legislation, HB1375, and the growing movement to address environmental factors connected to Parkinson’s disease. Delegate Sullivan shares why the bill — which would ban paraquat use in Virginia — was introduced, what happened during the legislative session, an...

What does it take to turn scientific breakthroughs into accessible, life-changing treatments for the millions of families affected by Parkinson’s disease? In this episode of the Parkinson's Policy Podcast, we sit down with Dan Feehan, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), to pull back the curtain on the legislative fights and advocacy efforts sha...

“Oh crap.” 😮 It’s the unfiltered thought so many people have after a diagnosis, and it’s exactly why Dr. Sara Whittingham used it to title her incredible book, Oh Crap! It's Parkinson's: A Rebel's Guide to Taking Back Control of Your Life. We recently interviewed Sara on the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, and her energy is absolutely infectious! As an Air Force veteran, M.D., mom, and...

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Anne Hubbard, Chief Public Policy Officer to discuss the latest policy issues impacting the Parkinson’s community. From advocacy priorities and healthcare access to ongoing legislative efforts, Anne shares insights into how policy can shape better outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Tune in for an infor...

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Representative Brian Cina, a Vermont legislator and sponsor of the bill to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease and other serious health concerns. We discuss the growing body of research connecting environmental toxins to Parkinson’s, the policy efforts underway in Vermont, and why advocates, scienti...

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Deborah Swerdlow, Head of Policy at the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Ken Chason, a dedicated patient advocate and member of the Foundation’s Patient Policy Advisory Council (PPAC), for a timely and insightful conversation on the future of Parkinson’s policy. Together, we explore the most pressing policy challenges impacting the Par...

In this episode of our Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Rep. Hogan of Pennsylvania to discuss HB1135, a bill aimed at prohibiting the use of paraquat, a widely debated herbicide linked to increased Parkinson’s risk. We explore the science behind paraquat, why this legislation matters for public health, and how advocates and constituents can effectively mobilize support. Rep. Hogan shar...

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Geoff Horsfield, Legislative Director at the Environmental Working Group. Together, we explore the herbicide paraquat and its emerging connection to Parkinson’s Disease. Geoff breaks down the latest policy developments, the science behind paraquat exposure, and why this issue is gaining national attention. We also discuss what consti...

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Senator Devlin Robinson about his sponsorship of Senate Bill 1158, legislation that seeks to ban the use of paraquat in Pennsylvania. Paraquat is a widely used herbicide that has been increasingly linked to Parkinson’s disease through scientific research and legal cases. Senator Robinson shares the motivations behind introducing this...

In this episode of Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Rep. Natalie Mihalek about her efforts to protect Pennsylvanians from toxic pesticide exposure. Rep. Mihalek is sponsoring a Pennsylvania House bill to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide that has been linked in research to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. She shares why she introduced the legislation, what it would mean for f...

Listen as we sit down with Dr. Walter Koroshetz, former Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. We cover many diverse areas with Dr. Koroshetz including the alarming uptick in Parkinson’s diagnoses, the possibility of environmental causes, the origination of Parkinson’s in the gut, and, of course, Dr. Koroshetz shares his thoughts on Parkinson’s advocacy. He uses t...

Join us for our first episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast as we sit down with Representative Kyle Mullins (D-PA). Rep. Mullins shares his personal passion for fighting for those with neurodegenerative disorder and how he helped secure $5M in budgetary spending for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be spent on research grants for qualifying institutions. He also emphasizes how local, state,...

The Parkinson's Policy Podcast is here! Listen to George and Margaret in this introductory episode! Through this podcast, we hope to provide meaningful discussions with key stakeholders that ultimately initiate action and boost awareness. Only together can we power towards action.