Mary Chapman, features writer —

Mary graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in journalism. She began her career at United Press International, then spent a decade reporting for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (now Bloomberg Industry Group). Mary has written extensively for The New York Times, and her work has appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Fortune, and the Chicago Tribune. She’s won a Society of Professional Journalists award for outstanding reporting.

Articles by Mary Chapman

Study Planned to Assess Severity of Speech Symptoms

The healthcare technology company Koneksa and Northwestern University plan to begin recruiting patients in the third quarter of this year for a study aimed at measuring the severity of vocal abnormalities that can occur in Parkinson’s disease. The clinical trial, which is expected to be completed in 2024, will…

Young Inventor Honored for App to Detect Disease in Facial Expression

The European Patent Office (EPO) has nominated a 22-year-old woman for its inaugural Young Inventors prize in recognition of her artificial intelligence (AI)-powered app that can detect Parkinson’s disease early through facial expressions and might assist in work toward better Parkinson’s treatments. Erin Smith of San Francisco is…

Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, at 25, Looks Ahead With Hope

Holly Shill, director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute, is marking the facility’s 25th year with a bold prediction: within the next 25 years, researchers will find ways to prevent Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. Shill, a movement disorder neurologist, started as a neurology resident…

MJFF Policy Advocates Promote Awareness Month Across US

To help mark Parkinson’s Awareness Month, members of the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF) public policy team persuaded 17 local governments to issue proclamations and resolutions recognizing the annual event that brings Parkinson’s disease to greater attention. Team members engaged legislators in their local areas, arguing in favor of the city,…

Phinney Foundation Helping to Make neuroQWERTY More Effective Tool

The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s has brought the digital biomarker discovery platform nQ Medical aboard as a partner, with the goal of helping it get the patient insights needed to advance a technology aiming to improve life for those with Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, the foundation has convened a…

Mr. Motivator Marking World Parkinson’s Day With Fitness Class

To mark World Parkinson’s Day and underscore the importance of exercise for patients, the British fitness instructor known as “Mr. Motivator” is partnering with Parkinson’s UK. On April 13, the exercise guru will devote his weekly and half-hour, online Motivation Club class to Parkinson’s disease (PD), the organization announced.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month Begins With #FutureofPD Campaign

To mark the start of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, the Parkinson’s Foundation has kicked off its #FutureofPD Campaign, an initiative to call attention to the progressive neurodegenerative disorder and highlight what can be done to create a better future for the Parkinson’s disease community. “Parkinson’s disease affects nearly…

UK Surveys Capture How Pandemic Affected Patients, Caregivers

Based on survey results indicating that pandemic restrictions considerably aggravated Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms and hampered care, Parkinson’s UK is calling on its various governments to take remedial steps to improve both care and access. Calls for action derive from a 41-page report by the nonprofit organization and Lancaster…

Canada’s Community Needs Prioritized in Roundtable Report

Improving access and care for Parkinson’s disease patients, increasing the number of practitioners, and improving healthcare providers’ education are three priorities raised in a Parkinson Canada report that explores the advocacy needs of the Parkinson’s community in Canada. The organization, which plans to build a foundation for future…