The EMPOWER U® program is presented annually by Cleveland Clinic, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. This free education-driven, one-day event provides a positive, interactive approach to helping individuals with Parkinson’s disease take control of their disease, maintain their identity and improve their quality of life. The goals of the event are accomplished through:
- Educational sessions on treatments and updates in Parkinson’s disease.
- Interactive sessions that introduce rehab therapies, exercise programs and wellness concepts to fight back against Parkinson’s disease.
This event brings together individuals and families of individuals with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers, Parkinson’s disease organizations and medical professionals – working alongside each other to improve the quality of care and enhance the level of information available to those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Special guests at past events have included:
- Jimmy Choi – American Ninja Warrior Athlete, Parkinson’s Disease Advocate.
- Arman Askari, MD – Co-Founder Premier Health Advocates, Cardiologist, and individual with Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease.
- David Zid, BA, ACE-APG – Co-Founder, Ohio Health Delay the Disease.
- Maria Pujolas, RN, BSN, CFT – Owner and Coach, Rock Steady Boxing.
- Leaders from the Parkinson’s Foundation.
- Prominent Parkinson’s Disease specialists including physicians, surgeons and psychologists.
Watch presentations from our previous EMPOWER U events.
EMPOWER U® 2026
Register now for EMPOWER U 2026, a one-day health fair style event being held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio!
Featuring:
- A flexible schedule – Choose what time you want to come and what sessions you want to attend: Morning, afternoon or all day.
- A large number of exhibitors, many of which are interactive.
- Free valet parking and lunch provided.
- Several education sessions to choose from on various Parkinson’s disease related topics.
Topics
- Exercise in PD
- Rehab Therapies throughout the stages of PD
- Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound
- Resources for all stages of the PD Journey
- Cognition
- Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy
- Sleep
- Update in Medications
- Living Well with PD
- Ask the Experts Q&A
Click here to register for EMPOWER U 2026
Help us design this year's EMPOWER U® t-shirt
Choose one of the following taglines and design a logo to go with it:
- Option 1: Empower. Overcome. Thrive.
- Option 2: Unshaken Spirit, Unstoppable You
- Option 3: Hope In Every Step
- Option 4: Move with Power, Live with Purpose
Anyone with Parkinson’s Disease can submit up to three (3) entries by email to CNRCOE@ccf.org with Entry in the subject line. Please include your first and last name, and a phone number in the email. Logos can be created on the computer or drawn by hand.
Deadline: August 15, 2026
The winning design (chosen by the EMPOWER U planning committee) will be featured on EMPOWER U 2026 t-shirts given away at the event. Winner will also receive recognition at EMPOWER U on September 19th.
Care Partner U
Care Partner U is an extension of our EMPOWER U event, tailored to friends family and care partners of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This annual, free, educational event allows care partners of individuals with Parkinson’s disease to learn about resources available to them in the community, and learn valuable steps they can take to care for themselves while being provided a forum to voice questions and concerns.
- Watch a sample of presentations from our last Care Partner U event.
Care Partner U 2026
Register now for Care Partner U 2026 being held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio!
Topics for this year’s event include:
- Communication Strategies
- Planning for the Future
- Resources
- Pointers from a Physical Therapist
- Caring for the Care Partner
- Care Partner Panel
Click here to register for Care Partner U 2026
Questions about EMPOWER U or Care Partner U? Email: CNRCOE@ccf.org.
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