Winter Newsletter

Administrator’s Note

With the shorter days and cold weather of winter, I welcome the opportunity to pause and reflect on the strength and generosity of this community. In 2024, the Center for Parkinson’s Disease supported 718 wellness classes resulting in over 5,000 class visits. Sing Loud for PD continues to meet weekly, with singers joining from all over the world, and EAT WELL with PD transitioned to television and is now a 9-part television series filmed and supported by LTV Studios in East Hampton. In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we hosted the third annual Virtual Walking Challenge. Fifty-three walkers walked over 3000 miles in the month of April. Finally, we successfully launched two new community programs, bringing music and dance to our Parkinson’s community.

None of this would be possible without all of you, and I am most grateful for your support and end of year donations which ensure that all in our community have access to evidence-informed wellness and support programming. Thank you.

As we look forward to the new year, and guided by your feedback, we are excited to launch new programs and support emerging research. Dance for Parkinson’s starts up again this month at the Parrish Art Museum, and Voice Gym – an inter-disciplinary, group therapeutic workshop – will commence in February. This spring, we look forward to welcoming Sarah Mulukutla, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Yale School of Medicine to host an in-person symposium on the role of Mind-Body practice for symptom management in Parkinson’s. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with suggestions and questions, and stay tuned for additional program announcements.

For now, I wish you and your families a peaceful new year, filled with joy and connection.

With gratitude,

Sarah

Sarah Cohen, Administrator

Center for Parkinson's Disease

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital

Rita and Michelle, RSB Sag Harbor

Thank you for joining us at the Center for Parkinson's Disease holiday party, and congratulations to Janice Cooper for participating in the most classes in 2024! We loved seeing you all and look forward to the next in-person gathering soon.

The inter-professional allied healthcare team at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is comprised of clinicians from different disciplines with varied specialties to best serve patients and care partners. Each newsletter will include introductions, information and updates about our team. This month, we introduce you to Clinical Nutrition.

Our team of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) provide professional nutrition therapy and personalized strategies to support your health. Individual Nutrition Counseling is tailored to meet your personal goals and concerns and may address: weight management, eating well to optimize brain health, recommendations about medication / food interactions, gut health, food apathy or optimizing well-being.

Why should I see a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

Eating well is important for all of us, but particularly for people living with Parkinson's disease. There is emerging evidence that food choices - what we eat and what we choose to avoid - may impact Parkinson's symptoms, and might even alter the disease progression. Our RDNs take a 'food as medicine' perspective, prioritizing whole foods and healthy cooking to optimize well-being. They can also work with you to address specific concerns and goals.

To schedule an Individual Nutrition Consultation, please contact the Ed and Phyllis Davis Wellness Institute at (631) 726-8800.

Learn more about the important role of nutrition here and check out the EAT WELL website where you can find nutritional information, healthy recipes and recordings of previous EAT WELL cooking episodes filmed at LTV Studios in East Hampton.