NWLA Parkinson's Resource

06/12/2026

Thank You, Dr. Guidry!

A heartfelt thank you to Paul Guidry for taking the time to speak at today’s Northwest Louisiana Parkinson’s Resource meeting. We truly appreciate your expertise, insight, and dedication to helping our Parkinson’s community better understand the importance of comprehensive primary care and preventive health.

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Guidry and his practice, be sure to visit Sure Access MD⁠.

As a reminder, the next time you’re visiting your primary care provider, try to slow the appointment down a bit and make sure all of your questions are answered. It’s also important to review whether you are up to date on recommended lab work, including Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, folate, and other tests that may impact your overall health and well-being.

Thank you to everyone who attended today’s meeting. We look forward to seeing all of you next month as we continue our mission of Education • Support • Advocacy for those living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.

06/11/2026

REMINDER !!

06/07/2026

☀️ Summer Heat & Parkinson’s Disease: Stay Hydrated!

As temperatures rise, it becomes even more important for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease to stay well hydrated.

Many people with Parkinson’s experience low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), which can worsen during the summer months due to heat, sweating, and fluid loss. This may lead to:
✅ Dizziness or lightheadedness
✅ Fatigue
✅ Blurred vision
✅ Increased risk of falls
✅ Feeling weak or “washed out”

Tips to Stay Safe This Summer:
💧 Drink water consistently throughout the day—not just when you feel thirsty.
🧂 Consider adding electrolyte drinks or electrolyte packets as recommended by your healthcare provider.
🥨 Don’t be afraid of a little extra salt if your provider has recommended it for low blood pressure.
☀️ Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
🪑 Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions.
👕 Wear lightweight, breathable clothing.

If you notice increased dizziness, fainting, falls, or worsening symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.

Hydration is one of the simplest ways to help your body and brain function at their best this summer!

— Northwest Louisiana Parkinson’s Resource
Education • Support • Advocacy 💙🧡

06/06/2026

Promising Break-Through

This is exciting and legitimate news. Japan has conditionally approved the world’s first stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease. The treatment uses iPS cells that are turned into dopamine-producing cells and implanted into the brain. Early studies suggest the cells can survive and produce dopamine, potentially improving symptoms. However, it is not a cure, was approved based on a very small study, and additional research is needed to confirm long-term safety and effectiveness.

05/26/2026

🚨 Huge news! 🚨 Vermont just became the first state in the nation to ban paraquat, a dangerous chemical linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

This ban will keep Vermonters safe and prevent people from developing Parkinson's in the first place.

We won't stop fighting until paraquat is banned throughout the U.S. Tell Congress it’s time to follow suit and ban paraquat now: Policy.parkinson.org/campaign/paraquatCongress/

05/26/2026

📣 NWLA Parkinson’s Resource Meeting Reminder 📣

Join us for our next NWLA Parkinson’s Resource meeting on:

🗓 Friday, June 12th🕐 1:00 PM📍 Willis-Knighton Eye Institute – First Floor Auditorium (our usual meeting place)

We are excited to welcome Dr. Paul T. Guidry, MD as our guest speaker!

Dr. Guidry is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with roots in Louisiana and a passion for personalized patient care. He is part of a concierge medicine practice focused on providing individualized healthcare with greater access, more time with patients, preventive care, wellness support, and comprehensive health management. Dr. Guidry and his partners emphasize building strong patient relationships and delivering care tailored to each person's needs.

Come learn about:✔️ Concierge medicine✔️ Preventive and wellness services✔️ Personalized healthcare options✔️ How Dr. Guidry and his team may help you and your family

As always, we’ll have snacks, light foods, drinks, and cookies! 🍪🥤

Bring a friend and join us for an afternoon of education, support, and community. We can’t wait to see everyone there 💙
Your friend ,
Wendy

05/14/2026

Hello everyone,

This is a friendly reminder that our next Northwest Louisiana Parkinson’s Resource meeting will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM at our usual location in the Willis-Knighton Eye Institute (First Floor Auditorium).

We are excited to welcome Rebecca Smith, Speech Therapist, who will be speaking to our group. This is a great opportunity to learn more about speech, communication, and swallowing changes in Parkinson’s—and practical ways to manage them.

As always, we will have light snacks and drinks available, so come ready to learn, connect, and enjoy time together.

Also—an incredible update from Moving Day…
Because of YOU, we raised $75,000 with over 200 people registered! This is truly amazing and speaks volumes about the strength and heart of this community. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, volunteered, and supported this mission—we could not have done it without you.

I will miss this one, but Randi Skye Reyes will be leading the group ♥️♥️
Your friend,
Wendy

05/07/2026

Pictures for moving day are up 🎉🎉

05/07/2026

🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Jamie Toms on being inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society as a faculty member! He was one of only three faculty members inducted this year. This is such a well-deserved recognition of his dedication to teaching, mentorship, and academic medicine.

Dr. Toms is pictured with Dr. Christina Notarianni who serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the LSU Health Shreveport chapter. We are very lucky to have them both!

04/30/2026

If you enjoyed Tomeka's performance this past Saturday, here is her schedule of classes 🎉🎉