Parkinson’s Foundation Awards Grant to Baylor Occupational Therapy's Barbara Doucet
The Parkinson’s Foundation recently announced the recipients of more than $1 million in community grants for Parkinson’s disease (PD) programs across the United States. As a part of these awards, Baylor University's Barbara Doucet, PhD, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was awarded $11,000 for "Walking & Talking & Flourishing: Optimizing Well-Being in Persons with Parkinson’s."
“For the more than 1 million people living with PD in the U.S., access to local programs like support groups, exercise classes or educational courses is truly life-changing,” said Parkinson’s Foundation President and CEO John L. Lehr. “Investments in nation-wide community grant funding represents the Foundation’s on-going dedication to improving the lives of our Parkinson’s community across the country.”
Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
Through Doucet's project, the Parkinson's Foundation funding will support a weekly walking support group for persons with Parkinson’s and their care partners at various local parks and outdoor venues. Each week, the group will participate in structured activities that promote social engagement and address the psychosocial/mental health issues that typically accompany the Parkinson’s diagnosis. The group will also walk an established short route as part of the program (persons in wheelchairs can participate as well) to optimize overall fitness. The program aims to reduce social isolation and community participation withdrawal, expose participants to healthy outdoor activity and stimulation, and educate the group on accessible venues throughout the city, all while promoting movement and social well-being critical for flourishing and quality of life in Parkinson’s.
"I am thrilled and blessed to be supported by Baylor University and the Parkinson’s Foundation to implement this program so members of the Parkinson’s community and their care partners can connect with others, form new relationships, and engage in activities to maintain their mental and physical health," Doucet shared.
Parkinson's Foundation community grants range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per recipient. The 2025 grant cycle funds programs that address mental health needs of people with PD, reach those who are PD care partners, and educate and deliver exercise specifically designed for people with PD. Selected organizations operate locally and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $12.7 million in 969 community-based programs. To see the full list of the 2025 community grant recipients, visit Parkinson.org/CommunityGrants.
ABOUT THE PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $474 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.