Change often feels intimidating, but over the past year in my role as executive director of Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO), I’ve come to see it as not just inevitable, but often transformative and necessary.
PRO is embracing its own transformation, unveiling updates to our organization’s leadership, programs and branding, while remaining true to our legacy of compassionate care for every person navigating Parkinson’s.
My journey with PRO began five years ago as a contracted grant writer, a role that allowed me to gain valuable insight into the organization’s impactful work. That opportunity led to a promotion and a significant life change as I relocated across the country to serve as PRO’s director of operations. In late 2023, the board of directors recognized my contributions and invited me to step into the role of executive director following the retirement of our founder, whose visionary leadership laid the foundation for PRO’s success.
This transition has opened new doors, strengthened community relationships and created opportunities for the organization to thrive in ways that were previously out of reach. These advancements have been driven by a shared commitment to collaboration, transparency and forward-thinking initiatives.
One exciting result of these forward-thinking initiatives is our upcoming “Parkinson’s Today: An Educational Symposium,” taking place on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the UCR-Palm Desert Campus. This event marks a significant milestone for PRO as we partner with The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for the first time, a collaboration that reflects our expanded reach and renewed focus on serving the Parkinson’s community.
This symposium is designed for people with Parkinson’s, caregivers, family members, for-profit health-care providers, academics, local government agencies and members of the press. The day’s program will feature a keynote address on the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, insightful panel discussions, networking opportunities and an expo showcasing resources and advancements in Parkinson’s care.
Event highlights include:
• Keynote speaker: A discussion of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act and its impact on healthcare policy and research.
• Panel One: Treating Parkinson’s Today: Dr. John Legge and other medical specialists will cover established treatments, emerging therapies and scams to avoid.
• Panel Two: Caregiving: A conversation about caregiving challenges, strategies and support resources.
• Panel Three: Research and Clinical Trials: MJFF experts will provide updates on groundbreaking research and funding priorities.
This symposium is a reflection of PRO’s commitment to delivering high-quality educational resources and fostering a sense of community among those affected by Parkinson’s. By bringing together experts, advocates and individuals directly impacted by Parkinson’s, we hope to provide actionable insights and inspiration for everyone in attendance.
I’m thrilled to announce that PRO has undergone a complete rebranding, featuring a refreshed logo, updated color palette and new design elements. When we first began discussing a rebrand, we knew it was essential to honor the legacy of PRO, which has been serving the Coachella Valley since 1990. The organization holds deep meaning for so many, and its history is a cornerstone of our identity.
However, our previous logo—designed more than 20 years ago in a largely analog world—was showing its age in today’s digital-first landscape. We needed a visual identity that would translate seamlessly across platforms, particularly in the digital spaces, where much of our work now takes place.
Rebranding is more than just aesthetics; it’s about revisiting core values, long-term goals and the very essence of an organization. For PRO, those core values are hope, education, support and inspiration. From these values, our new logo took shape: a circular design composed of four columns, representing our foundational pillars, and symbolizing the holistic, 360-degree support we provide to people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers.
Accessibility was our guiding principle throughout this process. We aimed for a design that is visually clear, easy to interpret and compliant with ADA best practices. This is particularly vital for people with Parkinson’s, who may experience visual and cognitive challenges, including sensitivity to certain colors or fonts. With this new branding, we’re ensuring our resources—whether in our newsletters, on YouTube or on our website—are as accessible as possible to our community.
Beyond our refreshed look, PRO is also thrilled with recent updates to our leadership. In 2024, we were lucky to welcome board co-chairs John White and Shon Tomlin, both longtime supporters and advocates of PRO.
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world. Notably, the incidence of Parkinson’s is higher in Southern California than other parts of the country.
John White is a familiar figure in the Coachella Valley, well-known for his work with KESQ News Channel 3. An Emmy Award-winning journalist and PRO’s marketing committee chair, he brings a wealth of media expertise to our organization. Shon Tomlin, a multi-Emmy Award-winning media and technology executive, has been a valued pro-bono consultant to PRO since 2020. His extensive nonprofit experience, including co-founding the Palm Springs 501(c)(3) VRON-PS, strengthens our mission.
We’re also delighted to welcome attorney Hannah Yoo as board secretary, alongside new members Kim Guzzetti and John Mason, who have extensive experience caregiving for people with Parkinson’s, and Bob Koch. A strong board is the foundation of any successful organization, and at PRO, we are committed to maintaining the strength and stability needed to support the Parkinson’s community for as long as the need exists.
That need is significant. Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world. Notably, the incidence of Parkinson’s is higher in Southern California than other parts of the country. In the Coachella Valley alone, we estimate 8,000 to 10,000 individuals are living with Parkinson’s, each surrounded by caregivers, friends and family members who are also deeply impacted. Parkinson’s uniquely impacts our neighbors and our community here in Coachella Valley.
In our ongoing effort to provide accessible and impactful resources, we’re thrilled to introduce Together in Parkinson’s, PRO’s new podcast designed to empower and inform our community. As caregivers, people with Parkinson’s and friends of the community, we understand that time is precious, and the learning curve can be steep when navigating neurological disorders.
This podcast features subject-matter experts who deliver the latest news, research and education in an easy-to-digest format. Listen to conversations with Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., about the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act; with Andrea Valdez about safety, scams and resources for senior drivers; and further topics exploring clinical trials, Lewy body dementia and more.
Local partnerships are vital to PRO’s mission, and one of the most heartwarming examples comes from the Palm Desert Greens (PDG) community. In 2024, the PDG Charity Golf Tournament raised a record-breaking $37,250 for PRO—the highest amount in the event’s 25-year history. Thanks to the advocacy of Barbara Kelly, Liz Dixon and the dedicated women of PDG Strong, this fundraiser brought not only financial support, but also new connections to PRO.
As part of our commitment to the community, I’m excited to share that PRO has reintroduced in-person support groups for the first time since the pandemic. In September, we began hosting two in-person groups each month—one in the Coachella Valley, and another in Los Angeles. They were so popular that we doubled the number of in-person support groups here in the Coachella Valley, with more planned throughout 2025. Additionally, we launched the PRO Social Club, a monthly opportunity for individuals affected by Parkinson’s to come together for fun, engaging and educational outings.
What hasn’t changed is our unwavering dedication to offering free, high-quality programming designed to provide emotional and practical support to those navigating Parkinson’s. Whether through our support groups, newsletters or events, we’re here to ensure that no one feels isolated because of this disease.
For more information, visit parkinsonsresource.org; stop by our Indian Wells office; or call us at 760-773-5628. Until there’s a cure, PRO remains steadfast in its mission: working so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s.