Beyond Tremors: navigating the Intersection of Voice, Swallowing, and Parkinson’s Disease

Sunday, October 18, 2026

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PT

Location: 518

Lead Presenter(s)

GD

Gregory R. Dion, MD

Associate Professor
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Co-Presenter(s)

LS

Libby J. Smith, DO

Professor
University of Pittsburgh
Sewickley, PA, United States

Disclosure(s):

Libby J. Smith, DO:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This session addresses the growing otolaryngologic impact of Parkinson’s disease, with a focus on dysphagia and dysphonia across disease stages. Attendees will learn a patient-centered approach integrating cognitive status, disease severity, and symptom burden. The lecture reviews modern voice and swallow therapies, emerging technologies, and evidence for vocal fold and esophageal interventions, including the role of DBS and advanced esophageal diagnostics, to guide thoughtful surgical and nonsurgical management in this complex population.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to explore breadth of otolaryngologic impact of Parkinson’s disease.
Upon completion, participants will be able to examine surgical and nonsurgical diagnostic and management approaches for dysphagia in Parkinson’s patients.
Upon completion, participants will be able to examine surgical and nonsurgical diagnostic and management approaches for dysphagia in Parkinson’s patients.