Sept 17th meeting for the 20 Year Celebration for the MN Neuropathy Association (www.neuropathy-mn.org). If others in the Minneapolis area want to attend the meeting you need to register soon as it's a special meeting with box lunches provided that they need to have a headcount. It should be an interesting meeting. If you want the registration form, I can email you a copy.

Here is the agenda:

9:30 - 10:00 am Registration
Coffee or juice and pastries/snacks

10:00 - 10:15 am Opening remarks, announcements

10:15 - 11:00 am Dr David Walk: The Basics of Neuropathy
30-minute presentation with 10 minutes for Q and A

Dr. David Walk is a neurologist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview with a subspecialty interest in neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Walk currently directs the University of Minnesota's multidisciplinary ALS and Charcot-Marie-Tooth clinics. Named a "top doctor" by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, he believes that the management of neuromuscular disorders requires a team dedicated to providing comprehensive care.
Dr. Walk has been an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School since 2005 and a staff neurologist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview since 1999; he is also the Medical Director of the electromyography laboratory. Dr. Walk's research interests include ALS and other motor neuron disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and quantitative sensory testing in patients with neuropathic pain. Dr. Walk's ongoing research projects are focused on ALS as well as sensory evaluation in neuropathy and neuropathic pain.

11:00 - 11:45 am Pam Shlemon, Director of Foundation of Peripheral Neuropathy
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy - What’s new & Living well with PN!
30-minute presentation with 10 minutes for Q and A

Pam Shlemon is the president and executive director of the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (FPN). Founded in 2007, Ms. Shlemon plays a critical role in shaping the research strategy as well as guiding strategic and programmatic direction and spearheading the Foundation’s fundraising programs. To achieve the Foundation’s mission she is fostering collaboration among a national team of neuroscientists and physicians dedicated to neuropathy research and treatment to develop new and effective therapies that can reverse, reduce and one day cure peripheral neuropathy. Ms. Shlemon, who earned her degree in business administration from Eastern Illinois University, has more than 25 years of executive management experience in the health care industry. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Shlemon was the Regional Vice President for ChartOne, a national leader in technology solutions for the healthcare industry. As a top-performing executive, leading major initiatives she was key contributor to enterprise-level planning and decision making. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Arts Refreshing the Soul, and resides in the Chicago metro area.

11:45 - noon Break, pick up box lunches

noon - 12:30 pm Lunch

12:30 - 1:15 pm Dr William Kennedy – Simple inventions that quantify touch on fingers, vibration on toes and sweating in neuropathy
30-minute power point presentation with 10 minutes for Q and A

Dr William Kennedy: Medical School-Marquette University; Master Degree in Biochemistry-University of Wisconsin; Internship-Philadelphia General Hospital; Residency in Neurology-Mayo Clinic; Professor of Neurology, University of Minnesota
Board certified in 1. Neurology, 2. Electromyography 3. Electroencephalography.
~~Honorary member of the Am. Academy of Neurology and the Am. Neurological Association
~~Lifetime Achievement Award, Am. Ass’n Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine’s highest honor.
~~Selected as a “Giant of Neurology” by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation
~~Discoverer of Hereditary spinal and bulbar proximal spinal atrophy of late onset (called “Kennedy’s Disease”)
~~Author of >150 peer reviewed scientific papers.
Principle interests:
1. Structure of nerves and other organs affected by neuropathy.
2. Invention of fast, simple methods to diagnose and quantify peripheral neuropathy.

1:30 pm Dessert, door prizes, closing announcements