Awareness and Appreciation Recap

January was a month of reflection, education and advocacy across our neurology and neuromedicine communities. We observed Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Day, joining national efforts to increase understanding of one of the most commonly misdiagnosed dementias. This observance highlighted the importance of early recognition, accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care for individuals living with Lewy body dementia and their families.

February Awareness at Fixel  

This February, we recognized Heart Health Month, emphasizing the critical connection between cardiovascular health and brain health and the importance of prevention, early intervention and healthy lifestyle choices in reducing neurological risk. We also observe National Caregivers Day, honoring the dedication, compassion and resilience of caregivers who play an essential role in supporting individuals living with neurological disease.

Together, these observances reflect our ongoing commitment to whole-person care and to supporting both patients and the families who walk alongside them.

January 27-28th: AD+ Think Tank

The Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease Co-Pathology (AD+) Think Tank brought together leading clinicians and scientists for a focused, purpose-driven discussion aimed at advancing research in neurodegenerative disease. Think tanks are designed to prioritize dialogue and collaboration, allowing experts to critically examine emerging research, identify gaps and align on strategies to accelerate progress.

Hosted by the Fixel Institute, the AD+ Think Tank convened experts in neuroimaging, clinical neurology, cognition and biomarker science to explore overlapping pathological processes across Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions. Through invited talks and moderated discussions, participants worked to clarify mechanisms of co-pathology and catalyze new research collaborations, reinforcing Fixel's commitment to translational neuroscience that improves diagnosis and treatment.

March 14th: Moving Day

Moving Day is a walk for Parkinson’s where we honor loved ones, raise funds, fight PD, and celebrate the power of movement.

For more information, visit MovingDayTheVillagesFL.org.

To join/support the Fixel team visit: Moving Day The Villages, FL: Fixel Family – Parkinson’s Foundation

March 28th: 24th Annual Parkinson's Symposium

FREE educational day open to the public. It is a great way to update your knowledge of Parkinson’s Disease and meet people who are fighting for a cure.

Parkinson’s Center of Excellence, Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, is offering a free educational day open to the public.

This symposium is focused on increasing the knowledge of the Parkinson’s community on latest treatments and research, while allowing for interactions with others who are sharing in the journey.

Free lunch is included for in-person attendees.

Saturday March 28, 2026

9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m.
8001 NW 23rd Ave Gainesville, FL 32606

April 23-24th: Dystonia Think Tank

The Fixel Institute is hosting a Dystonia Think Tank! Bringing together leading clinicians, researchers and advocates focused on advancing care and discovery for individuals living with dystonia. This collaborative forum is designed to foster meaningful discussion, share emerging insights and explore innovative strategies that can improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for patients and families affected by this complex movement disorder. More details will be shared as the event approaches.

Fixel Café is Now Open!

It’s been a long time in the making, and we’re excited to announce the opening of the Fixel Café in the lobby of the Fixel Clinic building! Stop by to meet Terra, the friendly face behind the café, and enjoy a delicious drink or snack. We look forward to this new addition bringing warmth, connection and something tasty to our community.

Research & Technology Innovation Incubator Coming Soon...

The second floor of the Fixel Institute Research & Administration building is being transformed into the Research & Technology Innovation Incubator (RTII). A state-of-the-art hub designed to spark collaboration and accelerate discovery in neurological care.

Renovations will kickoff early 2026! During this time, the second floor will be closed to employees, with restrooms and water fountains available on the first floor only.

We look forward to sharing updates as the RTII takes shape and ushers in a new era of innovation at the Fixel Institute.

2025 Parkinson's Disease Prevention Think Tank

The Fixel Institute partnered with the Parkinson's Foundation and recently hosted the 2025 Parkinson’s Disease Prevention Think Tank, bringing together leading scientists, clinicians, researchers and public health experts from across the country. The event centered on advancing early detection, risk-reduction strategies and innovative approaches that could shift the future of Parkinson’s disease prevention. Through dynamic presentations, collaborative discussions and cross-disciplinary problem-solving, attendees explored emerging science, environmental and genetic risk factors, biomarkers, lifestyle interventions and opportunities for large-scale preventive research. This year’s think tank strengthened national partnerships and reaffirmed the Fixel Institute’s commitment to driving groundbreaking work aimed at delaying, or ultimately preventing, the onset of Parkinson’s disease.

Drs. Wong and de Hemptinne Named Co-Directors of New Fixel ADAPT Program

The Fixel Institute has named Joshua Wong, M.D. and Coralie de Hemptinne, M.S., Ph.D. as Co-Directors of the new Fixel ADAPT Program (Adaptive DBS and Automated Programming Therapy). The program will advance next-generation, physiology-guided DBS technologies through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates neuroscience, engineering and data science to improve personalization and outcomes in neuromodulation care.