2024 WPA Symposium

Maura Horton is a Disability Diversity & Inclusion consultant affecting change through education, product development, strategic partnerships, and embracing Global Inclusion. She is an authentic voice of guidance and experience for companies as they journey and expand their presence into DEIB retail initiatives. Maura’s roots are in product design and development, as she was a trailblazer in the adaptive fashion movement. After her husband was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, Maura pioneered the concept of adaptive clothing that prioritized function and fashion equally. She invented and obtained four patented magnetic closure systems for clothing and launched MagnaReady, the world’s first magnetic shirt. Her overall inclusion work continues to drive the adaptive movement, developing holistically inclusive designs that span digital strategies, language guides, and authentic representations in wellness, home, beauty, style, and more. Maura is known as a behind-the-scenes movement changer and brand strategist.

Maura has been a guest speaker at the American Parkinson Disease Association’s Magic of Hope Gala, the Davis Phinney Foundation Little Big Things conference, and the White House’s Design For All Showcase.

Lea Blackney, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist working with older adults at VMP Healthcare and Community Living in West Allis, Wisconsin. She uses music to facilitate neurologic rehab, self-expression, community building, reminiscence, and relaxation. At VMP she serves clients with dementia, complex medical conditions, physical disabilities and respiratory conditions with a special focus on residents with disorders of consciousness in minimally responsive states. She is pursuing a Master or Arts in Music Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana and is an adjunct instructor of music therapy at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She is a National Roster Internship Director and has completed advanced training in neurologic music therapy, clinical improvisation, guided imagery in music and music psychotherapy.

Before becoming a music therapist, Lea trained as a classical cellist, performing in professional orchestras across the Midwest. She still plays locally for private events and as part of a small Irish-style folk band. She enjoys doing taekwondo with her kids, drinking too much tea and snuggling her 3 amiable cats.

Ariana Frisch board certified Nurse Practitioner specialized in movement disorders at the Marshfield Clinic in Wausau. She earned her masters of science in nursing degree at Concordia University and her bachelors degree at University of Wisconsin, Madison. She started working with movement disorder specialist, Dr. Katie Spangler in 2016. Her mission is to provide a personalized and empowering healthcare experience that enables patients to make informed, realistic decisions. She wants patients to understand and choose a healthcare journey that harmoniously reflects their life‘s journey, goals, aspirations, culture, and spirituality.

Dr. Eric Jackowiak is a neurologist and movement disorder specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Clement J Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee.  He completed his neurology residency training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and movement disorders fellowship training at the University of Michigan.  In addition to clinical care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, he participates in clinical research trials and has published several research articles and case reports on Parkinson’s disease and deep brain stimulation. He is also the director of the MCW movement disorders fellowship program and the Milwaukee VA Parkinson’s disease consortium center. 

Joe leads exercise classes in Cudahy for people with PD. He comes from a military background, serving 17 years in the United States Army Reserves where he is a Master Fitness Trainer. He is also studying Kinesiology with the goal of becoming a Clinical Exercise Physiologist focusing on exercise programs for special populations. In his free time, Joe is an avid runner with a current goal of completing his first 50K ultra-marathon. His other hobbies are centered around being active and outdoors with his wife and two dogs.

Jen is an outpatient physical therapist in Burlington, WI. She graduated from Carroll University in 2022, where she spent her student years caregiving for adults with neurological conditions. Jen loves group exercise and believes in healing through movement. She has 3 years of experience volunteering for Rock Steady Boxing classes in various locations, and she is a PWR!Moves™ Trained Therapist. Her other hobbies include playing French horn, reading, and going to the gym.

Lucy has a certification in PWR!Moves (Parkinson Wellness Recovery). She feels that combining these evidence – based, exercises-for-brain-change with music is fun and helps people with Parkinson’s and their care partners to live well with Parkinson’s.

David J. Ferguson, MD, NSCA-CPT, CSA
DJ Ferguson’s Associations, LLC

Dr.Ferguson is the owner and managing director of DJFerguson’s
Associates, LLC serving northeast Wisconsin with Life Care Planning and
Care Management services. The team specializes in helping people
navigate the challenges brought on by aging, chronic illness, disabilities, or
a sudden, unexpected medical crisis, especially when family isn’t available.
Working with his team, they provide an independent, detailed assessment
of an individual’s specific situation and implement recommendations for
tackling their challenges, making it possible to see a way forward.
Dr. Ferguson received his M.D. and completed an Internal Medicine
internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio,
followed by a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology from New York
University and Cytopathology fellowship from University of Iowa Hospitals
and Clinics. He practiced medicine in Milwaukee for 20 years before
moving to NE Wisconsin and joining the faculty at Medical College of
Wisconsin – Green Bay. Dave is certified by the Society of Certified Senior
Advisors and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is
also a certified HeartMath Practitioner providing coaching to clients and
their caregivers.
David J. Ferguson, M.D., NSCA-CPT, CSA ® (Certified Senior Advisor),
Owner and Managing Director DJFerguson & Associates, LLC-Life Care
Planning, De Pere, WI and Adjunct Assistant Professor Medical College of
Wisconsin – Green Bay

Hamza Hassan, MD
Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin

Hamza Hassan, MD, is a Gastroenterology Fellow at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin. His current area of research focuses on swallowing disorders among Parkinson’s disease patients, rehabilitation for swallowing disorders, and motility disorders of the gastrointestinal system.

Brittany Mahlberg (she/her) is a registered art therapist and licensed professional counselor working with both adolescents and adults. Brittany strongly believes in the benefits of the creative process for growth and healing. Through a strengths-based and multicultural lens, Brittany understands that each individual has their own unique story, history, challenges and strengths. Brittany is dedicated to holding space for exploration and reflections unique to the individual’s goals and journey.

Brittany has experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups struggling with substance use disorders, trauma, life transitions, stress and anxiety. In addition to seeing individuals in Bloom’s office, Brittany is excited to be working with Bloom’s aging services.

Trina Irish Kettenhofen (she/her) is our Aging Specialist Coordinator. Trina holds a graduate degree in art therapy and counseling and has been working with older adults and individuals experiencing progressive, long-term diseases that cause dementia for 10 years. She is dedicated to nurturing spaces that inspire creativity, belonging and empowerment for clients and their caregivers. Helping individuals unearth parts of themselves they’ve never had the space or time to nurture is central to her person-centered approach. She is ecstatic to be working with Bloom to create spaces for art therapy and expand accessibility to older adults and their caregivers throughout the Milwaukee community! Trina works with individuals through our community programs.

Heather Fortuine, DPT, NCS is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and a Parkinson’s Foundation PT Faculty Scholar. She currently serves on the Education committee for the Movement Disorder Society Pan-Amercian Section. She teaches rehabilitation sciences at Concordia University Wisconsin. In her free time, she helps to lead an exercise program for people with Parkinson’s Disease at a local YMCA, enjoys volunteering at camps serving people with disabilities and enjoys spending time with her family exploring the outdoors. She is thrilled to be presenting today with Joy Cochran, DPT.

Joy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, the Clinical Evidence Specialist for Urban Poling, and Owner of JOY Explorations. Her passion is to empower clients, specifically older adults and those with neurologic conditions, to play, explore movement, and go on adventures to promote healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. She is a ​Credentialed Balance and Falls Professional and Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult (CEEAA) through the Geriatric Academy of American Physical Therapy Association, and also holds certifications specific to treating Parkinson’s Disease – PWR! Moves, LSVT BIG, Rock Steady Boxing Clinician, and Urban Poling Master Trainer. In 2023, Joy had the privilege to volunteer at the annual PWR! Retreat in AZ and attend the World Parkinson’s Congress in Barcelona, Spain.