Explore Our 2023 Virtual Holistic Health and Wellness Exhibit Hall
Welcome
Yoga Moves MS presents this special Forum to empower those impacted by MS with information about a range of integrative and holistic mind-body strategies. This event is an opportunity to learn about healthy living and wholesome options that complement traditional medical care. Feedback from past year’s attendees is that they learned a LOT from our inspiring speakers. Sessions were packed with useful material. Many told us that they plan to watch the presentations again! You too can gain much from the Holistic and Wellness Forum for MS.
The purpose of this Virtual Exhibit Hall is to provide a place for exploration for Holistic Health and Wellness Forum for MS registrants before, during, and after the Live Event on May 17, 2023 from 4pm to 8:30pm EST. It contains useful information available to you. Read about our very special presenters who are renowned National MS Experts Learn about our fabulous sponsors and partners, and the products and services that they offer. Together we will gather, and learn about relevant and up to date information to help us along the MS journey.
Yoga Moves MS Spotlights Resilient Warriors
Meet George, Stacey, and Marcia and let their stories inspire you to join the YMMS community.
View the Complete Forum HERE
You can also view individual speaker presentations with the links below. Speaker’s presentation slides and handouts are included with their bios.
Question and Answers from the Holistic Health and Wellness Speaker Panel
Yoga Moves MS Mission & Purpose
Yoga Moves MS (YMMS) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and supportive community of students, yoga instructors and therapists, and volunteers. Our mission is to increase the quality of life and wellness for individuals impacted by MS through the provision of virtual and in person adaptive yoga for Any Body. We seek to educate the expanding YMMS community about yoga as an umbrella for healthy lifestyle choices- as a way of life! Holistic health principles are integrated into educational forums. The annual Holistic Health and Wellness Forum for MS offers opportunities to learn about an array of wellness topics from national MS experts.
The Yoga Moves philosophy cultivates empowerment, healing, and fun. We provide adaptive yoga resources for those with MS and neuromuscular conditions. Presently, we offer at-home practice through subsidized and donation-only virtual classes. In person classes in southeastern Michigan have recently begun.To learn more about our Yoga Moves Any Body classes, you can view the schedule and descriptions at yogamovesms.org. These classes can be supported by the purchase of our book, card deck, and helpful videos. Take a look at our new videos of Yoga Moves in a Wheelchair.
CLICK ON THE LOGOS BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, AND PARTNERS
Speakers and Their Presentations
DR. MARTIN BELKIN
Medical Director, MIND MS Center
Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders (M • I • N • D)
Dr. Belkin is the Medical Director of the MS Center at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders, which is one of the largest private MS Centers in the country. In addition to his extensive experience as the primary and sub-investigator for clinical trials in Multiple Sclerosis, he is known as a national speaker on the topic of Multiple Sclerosis. He is also actively involved in educating medical students and residents in the field of Neurology as he serves as the residency program director for the Ascension Macomb-Oakland Neurology Residency. As of July 2022, he has developed and serves as the director of the MIND MS/Neuroimmunology fellowship program. Additionally, he serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
Watch Presenation:
Opening Remarks by Dr. Martin Belkin at the Hybrid Holistic Health and Wellness Forum for MS
DR. AARON BOSTER
Topic: Cannabis for MS
Dr. Aaron Boster is a board-certified neurologist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis and related CNS inflammatory disorders. He decided to become an MS specialist at the age of 12, as he watched his Uncle Mark suffer from the disease in an era before treatment was available. Dr. Boster grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended undergraduate at Oberlin college. He earned his MD at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed an internship in Internal Medicine and Residency in Neurology at the University of Michigan. He then completed a two-year fellowship in Clinical Neuroimmunology at Wayne State University. Since then, Dr. Boster has been intimately involved in the care of people impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. He has been a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials, trained multiple MS doctors and Nurse Practitioners and has been published extensively in medical journals. He lectures to both patients and providers worldwide and maintains an MS educational YouTube channel with over 36K subscribers. Dr. Boster’s mission is to EDUCATE, ENERGIZE and EMPOWER people impacted by MS. He lives in Columbus, Ohio with is son Max.
Watch Presentation:
Cannabis for MS
MINDY EISENBERG, MHSA, C-IAYT, ERYT-500
Director and Founder of Yoga Moves MS
Mindy is the Founder and Director of Yoga Moves MS, a non profit 501(c (3) with the mission of improving the quality of life for individuals with MS, Parkinson’s Disease, and neuromuscular conditions through the provision of adaptive yoga and holistic health and wellness education. Mindy has provided in person and virtual yoga therapy to individuals with mobility challenges for over seventeen years and thrives on building a strong, mighty community for her students, families, and care partners. She is the author of Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body, created for individuals with MS and neuromuscular conditions and Adaptive Yoga Cards, daily yoga moves for all ages and abilities. She has trained hundreds of students with her Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body Teacher Training and is a Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress reduction teacher, Reiki Master, and Certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor. Her experience as a health care administrator at the University of Michigan Medical Center contributes to her ability to bring the Yoga Moves philosophy of healing to the health care arena. She created the cutting edge annual Virtual Holistic Health and Wellness Forum for MS, presents for corporate, academic, and yoga therapy organizations, and offers small group and private therapeutic yoga, breathing, and meditation sessions. She lives with her husband and pets, Felix and Oscar in Michigan, and loves to visit her daughter and son, Julia and Noah, in NYC.
Watch Presentation:
Movement Break
TAYLOR GONYOU, DO
MS Fellow
Michigan Institute for Neurologic Disorders (MIND)
Topic: Precision Medicine: Biomarkers and MS
Dr. Gonyou will be presenting about current research with Biomarkers and MS. She is a Fellow at the Michigan Institute for Neurologic Disorders in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Neurology Residency at Beaumont Health.
Watch Presentation:
Precision Medicine: Biomarkers and MS
SARAH JOHNSON
Topic: Nutrition for Multiple Sclerosis
Sarah Johnson is a board-certified nurse practitioner at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders (MIND) in Farmington Hills, MI. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bradley University in 1998 and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina in 2005. She is a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse and has been working in Neurology since 2012. Sarah provides care for patients with MS and participates in MS clinical research.
Watch Presentation:
Nutrition for Multiple Sclerosis
TRENT MCENTIRE
Topic: Optimize Your Day with FUN Sensory Training
For over 25 years, Trent McEntire has been helping people gain back their mobility – a story he knows well. Born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy, Trent experienced pain and stiffness every day from the time he was a child. The methods Trent discovered to repair his own body also became the foundation for what became his life’s work.
Trent is a graduate of Western Michigan University where he completed in-depth studies in Movement Science including Feldenkrais, Laban Movement Analysis, Pilates, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Kinesiology, and Anatomy. Trent was named a Presidential Scholar while attending Western Michigan University and in 2015 he was given the Distinguished Alumni Award for his innovations in neurological-based movement solutions.
Trent is an international presenter whose transformational methods and tools have changed thousands of lives — children who struggle with focus; seniors who have lost their balance and mobility; individuals experiencing neurological conditions; and athletes who have suffered concussions and injuries.
Today, Trent’s mission is to deliver his methods and tools to everyone who needs help with moving past physical and brain-related limitations. He invented the BrainSpeed Ball® and created the Fire Up Your Brain® program as a fun, engaging, and affordable way to support this mission. In addition to his professional teaching, Trent spends his time problem-solving and educating the world through his AskTrent Live programming, building a network of BrainSpeed Coaches, and facilitating speaking engagements to further educate the public on enhancing brain performance in fun and powerful ways.
Watch Presenation:
Optimize Your Day with FUN Sensory Training
DR. ROBERT PACE
Topic: Information for the Newly Diagnosed
Dr. Robert Pace is a board certified and fellowship trained neurologist, specializing in Multiple Scleroris, at the Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neuroscience. Dr. Pace completed his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Public Health in 2008. He trained in neurology with a further fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at the University of Michigan, where he stayed as an Assistant Professor before joining Memorial Healthcare.
Dr. Pace is an active member of the American Medical Association and American Academy of Neurology and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He also serves as Associate Editor for MedLink Neurology, the leading information resource for clinical neurology, and is a guest author for AwareNow™ magazine.
Dr. Pace cares for and has expertise in a variety of neurologic conditions. He is passionate about demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system and is committed to providing his patients with compassionate personalized care and to advancing our understanding of Multiple Sclerosis through research and innovation. He has experience using a variety of immunomodulating and suppressing agents and lectures nationally regarding treatment options for Multiple Sclerosis.
In collaboration with the Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neuroscience Multiple Sclerosis team, Dr. Pace participates in numerous clinical trials for Multiple Sclerosis, including being one of the first centers in the nation to research and monitor the biomarker Neurofilament light chain in a real-world setting.
Dr. Pace and his partner, Dr. Jeanie Cote, have launched “Grey Matters,” a Multiple Sclerosis-focused podcast which share informative content for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike. Grey Matters is dedicated to discussing the latest adavancements, research, and personal stories related to Mutliple Scleorisis and can be found at www.MemorialHealthcare.org/podcasts
https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/service/neurology/
https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/service/clinical-research/
Episode 2 of Grey Matters is out now! Take a listen as our neurologists share stories and discuss topics related to all things neurology! We invite you to check them out on one of the platforms below!
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/43sdwRW
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3nxo6XM
Watch Presenantation:
Information for the Newly Diagnosed
ANQUNETTE JAMISON SARFOH
Moderator and MS Advocate
Anqunette “Q” Sarfoh spent 20 years as a TV journalist and news anchor in Indiana, Las Vegas, Boston and Detroit. After 8 years as the morning anchor for Fox 2 Detroit, Anqunette retired due to the effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Through changes in diet and using cannabis, Anqunette went from taking nine medications a day to taking none and is an advocate for teaching others how to lessen their dependency on pharmaceuticals. She’s a co-founder of BotaniQ, a cannabis provisioning center in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit and is developing a line of cannabis infused food products to address the needs of non-smokers. Anqunette is also studying nutrition at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She’s a volunteer with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and often speaks to community and support groups about the safe and appropriate use of cannabis.
DR. EVAN SMITH
Topic: Optimizing Motivation Toward a Life Well-Lived with MS
Dr. Evan L. Smith (he/him) is a Rehabilitation Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology (RPN). He serves as the attending psychologist in the University of Michigan Multiple Sclerosis (UMMS) Center, a Comprehensive Center for MS care as designated by the National MS Society. His clinical role focuses on providing evidence-based psychotherapy services with patients and families living with MS, chronic health conditions, and disability through an interprofessional team-based approach. He has partnered with the NMSS in several roles, including serving as a member of the Mental Health Steering Committee, the Psychosocial Wellness Research Subgroup and as the UM Training Director for the NMSS Clinical Psychology Mentorship program. Dr. Smith is passionate about expanding access to care, serving historically marginalized/underserved communities and is the Co-Director of the PM&R RPN Health Equity and Antiracism Taskforce (RPN-HEART).
Watch Presentation:
Optimizing Motivation Toward a Life Well-Lived with MS
JAMES VOCI, MD
Chair, Yoga Moves MS
Dr. James M. Voci received his undergraduate training at Haverford College in Philadelphia followed by Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania. There, his interest in Neurology was nurtured by a strong faculty which included Dr. Robert Lisak who later became Chairmen of Neurology at DMC in Detroit. His residency in Neurology was performed at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University where he served as Chief Resident in his final year. Upon completion of his training, he served on the faculty there as Assistant Professor Of Neurology, performing both research in molecular biology as well as the instruction of new residents. In 1996 he left for private practice and eventually arrived in the metro Detroit region in 1999 where he has remained since. Dr. Voci currently serves as the Director of Neurology at St. Francis Hosp in Evanston. He is actively involved in the care of Multiple Sclerosis patients both clinically and with clinical research studies. And, yes, he actively practices Yoga. He has been the Chair of Yoga Moves MS since 2014.
Watch Presentation:
Message for Dr. James M. Voci, Chair of Yoga Moves MS
MEGAN WEIGEL
Topic: Acupressure for MS
Megan Weigel, DNP, 200RYT, is a nurse practitioner specializing in neurological care in Jacksonville Beach, FL. She has been a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) certified nurse since 2005, and an NP for over 20 years. She is also a board-certified Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse. She earned her doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Florida, where her research emphasis was on preventive healthcare. She completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in the Fall of 2018 which complements her practice focus on wellness and holistic care. She is the past-president of the International Organization of MS Nurses and the co-founder of oMS Yoga, a non-profit organization that brings free yoga classes to people living with MS (www.omsyoga.org). Her bestselling book, Monday Mantras with Megan, offers an approachable mindfulness journey and is available on Amazon.
Acupressure Points for Self Care
Watch Presentation:
Acupressure for MS
Schedule of Events
4:00 PM ET
Exhibits Open
5:00 PM ET
Program Begins
Anqunuette Jamison Sarfo
Moderator and MS Advocate
Event Kickoff & Acknowledgements
Dr. Martin Belkin
Opening Remarks
Mindy Eisenberg, MHSA
Message from Yoga Moves MS Director
Aaron Boster, MD
Cannabis and MS
Sarah Johnson, BS, MS, FNP-BC, MSCN
Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle
Trent McEntire
Optimize Your Day with FUN Sensory Training
Megan Weigel, DNP, APRN
Acupressure for MS
Movement Break
with Mindy Eisenberg
Dr. Robert Pace, MD
Information for the Newly Diagnosed
Taylor Gonyou, DO
Precision Medicine, Biomarkers and MS
Evan Smith, PhD
Optimizing Motivation Toward a Life Well-Lived with MS
Anqunette Jamison Sarfoh & Mindy Eisenberg
8:30 PM to 8:45 PM ET
Informal Q and A with Speakers
Closing Remarks/Namaste
Sponsors
At TG Therapeutics, our commitment to people impacted by immune diseases knows no boundaries. We are fiercely focused on the needs of patients and caregivers, as well as physicians and allied professionals, working together as one team to bring innovative treatments to those in need. We view our role as more than the development of novel treatments, but more broadly as the development of solutions to ease the burdens associated with immune diseases. To achieve this goal, we are actively pursuing partnerships that allow us to engage with the communities in the most respectful and meaningful ways. We look forward to working with you. Learn more about TG at www.tgtherapeutics.com.
To discover more about BRIUMVI, visit the website.
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.
At Bristol Myers Squibb, we work every day to transform patients’ lives through science. We combine the agility of a biotech with the reach and resources of an established pharmaceutical company to create a global leading biopharma company powered by talented individuals who drive scientific innovation.
Interested in learning about a treatment option? Take a look at ZEPOSIA® (ozanimod)—a pill by exploring the resources below and visiting ZEPOSIA.com. There you’ll get the information you need, including clinical study results, safety and side effects, support from the ZEPOSIA 360 SupportTM program, and more.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
ZEPOSIA Ad
Learn more about ZEPOSIA
Horizon is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: We apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact patients, visit www.horizontherapeutics.com, follow us @HorizonNews on Twitter, like us on Facebook or explore career opportunities on LinkedIn.
Novartis is a global health care company that provides treatments to the evolving needs of patients worldwide. Our mission is to discover new ways to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development.
Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. ©2021 Novartis 3/21 T-NSF-1402234
https://www.novartis.com/diseases/multiplesclerosis
https://www.kesimpta.com
https://www.mayzent.com
Exhibitors
icompanion is a free smartphone app (iOS, Android) that helps you manage your MS. In between your doctor’s visit, a lot of information is lost: how you feel, which symptoms you experience, how strong these are, how your disability, fatigue, and cognition are changing, etc. You can collect this info very easily with the app and share the insights with your doctors. That way, both you and your care team can better understand your disease. https://icompanion.ms
About Octave
Octave’s Precision Care Solution is the first-of-its-kind that accurately and objectively measures, and helps manage, complex and high-cost neurodegenerative diseases, starting with multiple sclerosis. Octave developed the first and only multivariate blood test to measure MS disease activity, enhanced MRI analytics and protocols, and a digital clinical program with Octave MS care partners to provide continuity of care. The solution provides neurologists and their patients with quantitative, objective metrics to facilitate informed care and shared decision making to drive better patient outcomes. Through purposeful problem solving and innovative technologies, Octave’s solution generates, analyzes and combines data to create a new paradigm of MS care, leading to improved patient outcomes.
The Walk The Line Difference
We understand that finding the right place to continue your journey to recovery can be difficult. After searching without success, our Founder Erica established Walk The Line to be the recovery program she had been looking for. Starting with a neuro-based recovery program, we continued the same approach to therapy with orthopedic physical therapy and occupational therapy. Our goal has always been to help our clients achieve their goals for recovery through hard work, innovation, and creativity. We believe you create your own destiny, creating opportunities where others see misfortune.
We will guide you in two areas of therapy:
- Rehabilitative techniques that teach you a new way of performing daily tasks according to your limitations
- Recovery techniques empower you to regain your physical abilities after an injury, surgery, or a debilitating condition. Our recovery process involves a performance-based process or a results-based process.
Partners
https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/service/neurology/
https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/service/clinical-research/
Episode 2 of Grey Matters is out now! Take a listen as our neurologists share stories and discuss topics related to all things neurology! We invite you to check them out on one of the platforms below!
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/43sdwRW
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3nxo6XM
About MS Views & News
Sign up for news
MS Views and News (MSVN) is a Grassroots, MS Patient Advocacy organization which provides educational programs, advocacy and resources to empower and enhance the quality of life, for the MS community. Whether in metropolitan communities, Suburbia or Rural America, we want those needing information about Multiple Sclerosis, to get this information.
Promo video – Please click: https://youtu.be/
MS Views and News is dedicated to the global collection and distribution of current information regarding Multiple Sclerosis. In collaboration with other organizations, MS Views and News uses state-of-the-art communication channels to provide information for those affected by MS.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/
msviewsandnews - Twitter: www.twitter.com/
msviewsandnews - Instagram: www.instagram.com/
msviewsandnews - Watch our pre-recorded programs here: www.youtube.com/
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Monthly virtual programs include: MS NeuroTV; MS Views NOW, MS Patient’s Voices; Mental Health and Wellness Chat; Compass To MS Care; Chair Yoga; Pilates; Physical Therapy; & more.
Use the search box on either our Blog or website to find information about Multiple Sclerosis.
Additionally, each month, you will be sent our monthly, MS Beacon e-Newsletter.
MS Views and News (MSVN) is making an IMPACT.
The Walk The Line Difference
We understand that finding the right place to continue your journey to recovery can be difficult. After searching without success, our Founder Erica established Walk The Line to be the recovery program she had been looking for. Starting with a neuro-based recovery program, we continued the same approach to therapy with orthopedic physical therapy and occupational therapy. Our goal has always been to help our clients achieve their goals for recovery through hard work, innovation, and creativity. We believe you create your own destiny, creating opportunities where others see misfortune.
We will guide you in two areas of therapy:
- Rehabilitative techniques that teach you a new way of performing daily tasks according to your limitations
- Recovery techniques empower you to regain your physical abilities after an injury, surgery, or a debilitating condition. Our recovery process involves a performance-based process or a results-based process.
We welcome your
feedback and questions!
Use this form to provide event feedback or submit a question; please include a topic or a particular presenter, if applicable, and your email address if you’d like a response.
