About Us

About the Center

APDA's National Young Onset Center is dedicated to educating and encouraging young people with Parkinson's disease, their families, friends, and healthcare professionals.  All of our educational and support programs and services are designed to help you manage PD effectively, live well, and stay strong! 

Always a leader in serving the needs of the PD community, APDA opened the country's first Young Onset Information and Referral (I&R) Center in 1991 in Santa Maria, California.  Since that time, the Center has experienced significant growth in programs and services as well as patients and families served.   

Our Staff

  
Julie Sacks, MSW, LCSW

Julie Sacks became the first full-time Director of APDA's National Young Onset Center in 2007.  Julie is a liscensed clinical social worker with more than 10 years of experience working with people of all ages to address a wide range of difficulties.  She is available to answer your questions and is comfortable discussing both physical and psychological concerns.  She can also link you to helpful resources that can help you live well with Parkinson's disease. 

Ms. Sacks has prior experience in the fields of advertising and marketing.  She speaks at symposiums and conferences across the country and helps increase awareness of Parkinson's disease in general, and its impact on those who are diagnosed young and their families in particular.   

Michael Rezak, MD, PhD

Michael Rezak is Medical Director of APDA's National Young Onset Center.  Dr. Rezak is a neurologist and movement disorders specialist.  He is Director of the Movement Disorders Center at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois.  Dr. Rezak is also on the Speaker's Bureau for Allergan, Novartis, Medtronic, Teva and GlaxoSmithKline.

Make a Donation

Your generous contribution to APDA's National Young Onset Center will help us continue to provide educational and support services for those who are diagnosed early in life and their families. 

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