Episode 165: Community Conversations – Re(building) Trust and Sharing Resources

Black and African American people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, potentially leading to decreased access to care, resources, and research opportunities. It is crucial to recognize their unique needs and experiences so that scientists can better understand how PD impacts diverse communities. The Parkinson’s Foundation aims to identify these healthcare disparities to better serve and support the community.

In this first episode of our Black History Month special, Kimberly Gamble, Program Coordinator at Atrium Health, and Lance Wilson, Licensed Social Worker and Center Coordinator at Jefferson Health’s Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, share real-life examples of outreach strategies that they have used when engaging with the Black and African American community to dispel common misconceptions about research studies, and emphasize the importance of representing and showing up for your community.

Released: February 20, 2024

Lance M. Wilson is the social worker, outreach and education coordinator at Jefferson Health’s Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center in Philadelphia, PA. Lance is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Pennsylvania and holds a C-SWHC (Certified Social Worker in Health Care) and ASW-G (Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology) which are both are specialty certifications from the National Association of Social Workers. Lance has professionally worked in the medical, mental health, and public health field for over a decade. In addition to his work with individuals impacted by Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners, Lance is also working on his PhD in Social Work at Widener University, where he hopes to add to the research of best practices within the Parkinson’s community.
Kimberly Gamble started her journey with the Parkinson’s community by God’s grace in 2004 when she applied for a position as a sleep center coordinator. By the end of the interview with the Director of Neurosciences, Kim found out she was overqualified for the position and was recommended to apply for the movement disorder coordinator position. Kim’s role as a Movement Disorder Center Coordinator spans across 20 years and three healthcare systems. Her job includes care coordination, patient navigator, community outreach and education, project management and support for patients and families on the journey with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Kim is the one point of contact for patients, staff, physicians and the PD community. Her purpose is to be a resource and connect individuals with the resources needed on the journey living with PD. Kim’s passion is to spotlight diversity and inclusion in the PD community. Knowing that PD is not an exclusive diagnosis, she works to educate underrepresented communities, provide resources and connect them to others who look like them and share their experience. Kim’s goal is to remove barriers, educate patients and families and empower them to live their BEST life.