Email from University of Minnesota
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Want to show future healthcare professionals what it’s really like?
Some of the best educational experiences aren't found in a textbook. That’s the idea behind the Center for Interprofessional Health’s Community Teacher Program, where students training to be nurses, pharmacists, or other healthcare professionals get the chance to hear from volunteers with chronic illnesses about what their daily lives are like. In exchange, volunteers gain a clearer understanding of their own health and the training background of their healthcare teams. |
Regular Parkinson’s Pulse contributor Jessica Froula, PhD (center, a post-doc at UMN studying neuromodulation) spoke to Suzanne Stein (left), the Lead 1Health Curriculum Coordinator at UMN’s Center for Interprofessional Health, and Teri Lamers (right), a community teacher volunteer.
Teri Lamers (you might recognize her; she spoke at our Spring Symposium) really enjoyed her experience volunteering as a “community teacher” in the program, sharing her experience dealing with Parkinson’s disease. She described the students as eager, thoughtful, and focused on a holistic view of her healthcare. “You’re going to be interviewed [at the first session], it’s going to feel a little bit like a doctor’s visit,” Teri said. She also noted that students are respectful of boundaries and open to feedback, and you can guide the discussion in whatever way you feel most comfortable. Students can’t give official medical advice, but they spend time interviewing the community teacher to compile a background, perform assessments, and develop recommendations for them. “It really is not much commitment, and it’s very worthwhile,” assured Teri.
There are three ‘visits’ during an academic year (typically fall, winter, and spring), during which students develop working professional relationships with their peers and the community teacher. According to Suzanne Stein, the lead coordinator for this program, meetings can be virtual or in person, depending on the volunteer’s preference and usually include 3-4 students plus the community teacher.
Volunteers love the experience as much as the students — in fact, about half of the volunteers choose to return year after year! Suzanne emphasized that new community teachers are always welcome, with more than 160 teachers needed each year to support 600+ students.
“It made me feel really optimistic about the future of medicine. To see the great things they’re already bringing to the table is so nice,” said Teri.
Interested in sharing your experience with Parkinson’s (or another chronic illness requiring medication) with healthcare professionals in training? You can read more about the program here. Apply for the 2026-2027 academic year online or mail in a paper copy of your application by Sunday July 12.
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Paraquat Part 2: Electric BoogalooRemember our Paraquat section in last month's newsletter? The bill in Minnesota is getting traction in the local news after Vermont passed a first-in-the-nation ban a couple of weeks ago! You might see a familiar face around 3:20 of the story aired by Fox9.🤓
(Spoiler alert: it’s University of Minnesota researcher and neurologist Dr. Paul Tuite!!)
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What the heck are biomarkers??
You already know plenty of biomarkers. One example is blood sugar; measuring sugar in the blood can provide a measurement of whether you might need insulin or can be an indicator of diabetes. Cholesterol and blood pressure levels are other commonly measured biomarkers. A simple way to describe the purpose of biomarkers could be "find out more about your health by measuring something in your body".
Biomarkers for Parkinson’s can help us understand whether someone might be at risk for specific symptoms, how the disease is progressing, or even help with earlier diagnosis.
Here are some biomarkers that researchers have found to be related to PD:
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DOPA Decarboxylase (DDC) is used in the brain to convert L-DOPA into dopamine. The amount of it measured in the fluid that cushions your brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) is a strong predictor of cognitive decline.
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Higher blood serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a substance that is released from cells that are injured, can also predict cognitive decline.
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PET scans using the tracer 18F-DOPA show the amount of L-DOPA in your brain. Low levels of L-DOPA can help to diagnose PD in people whose symptoms may also look like Essential Tremor or Lewy Body Dementia.
To help researchers learn more about biomarkers for Parkinson's, you can take part in a study run by the Michael J Fox Foundation called the Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative. Read more here. (This study is not being done at the University of Minnesota, but we think it’s a pretty cool study that might yield some useful results!)
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Do you want to end Parkinson's? Get involved!June 29th will be the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care, and Services. This council was formed as part of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s, a federal initiative approved in 2024. Council members include people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers, and representatives from advocacy organizations and relevant federal agencies. Their mission is to provide advice to the HHS Secretary on Parkinson's-related issues, including the creation of a national plan to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure Parkinson’s. If you have any ideas for the plan, or just want to stay informed, consider submitting comments and/or joining the meeting!
Meetings will be live streamed and will include a public comment period. Get more info here, watch the livestream here on June 29th at from 9am to 3pm CT. (Yes, 9am to 3pm is a real marathon of a meeting. The agenda hasn't been released at the time of this newsletter, so we can't provide any guidance on if there's a "best" time to join.)
Public comments can be submitted until June 22 at 4PM CT.
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Free Parkinson's Events in June
1. Care Partner Conversations
This is a webinar series led by a panel of care partners who speak openly about a focused theme in the Parkinson’s caregiving experience. Panelists share practical tools, personal stories, and the resources that have supported them along the way. Register for this Parkinson's Foundation event here.
🕒 Wednesday, June 3, 12:00pm CT
📌 Zoom
2. PD support group in Baxter
🕒 Thursday, June 4, 1:30pm (every first Thursday of the month)
📌 Lord of Life Church, 6190 Fairview Rd N. Baxter MN
Contact Lynda Erickson at 218-829-4017 or lyndk.erickson@gmail.com for more info. No registration required.
3. Parkinson’s Resource Fair
Grow your knowledge of support, classes, and services for your journey with Parkinson’s. Visit local resource tables to learn about their offerings. (We'll be at one of those tables, come say hi!!) University of Minnesota clinical health psychologist Dr. William Robiner and RN Becky Southwick are among the panel speakers! Complimentary refreshments. Register for this Parkinson's Foundation event here.
🕒 Wednesday June 10, 2026. 1:00-3:30pm
📌 Eden Prairie Community Center | 16700 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
4. Webinar – Planning for the Future: Financial Planning (APDA)
Join the APDA's Minnesota Chapter for a live virtual program designed to help individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s gain confidence in their long-term financial planning. This session will be led by Chris McClure, a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Register here.
🕒 Friday, June 26th, 10:00-11:00am CT
📌 Zoom
5. Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care, and Services (ACPRCS) Meeting
(See article above.) Inaugural meeting of the advisory council. To submit public comments, please email NationalPDplan@nih.gov and follow the comment guidance. Comments received by 4PM CT, June 22nd will be provided to the Council prior to the first meeting for their consideration.
🕒 Monday, June 29th from 9:00am-3:00pm CT
📌 Virtual, live stream (official link will be posted on that page closer to the date)
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