Our Vision:
Every person affected by PD is connected to
the information, resources, and allies they need to thrive.
the information, resources, and allies they need to thrive.
Our Objectives:
Cultivate Relationships and Community
Serve as a Conduit to Pertinent Resources
Disseminate Information
Our Board
ACTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Kevin Hylton, President
Working for a better quality of life for people with PD became a passion after my wife, Yvonne, was diagnosed at the age of 44. Aside from being her life partner, there wasn’t anything I could do to ease her burden. But I soon realized I could make a world of difference in the lives of others by sharing what I had learned about PD and applying my technical and business skills in a new way. When you see the light in someone’s eyes brighten because of something you’ve said or done, there’s no better feeling; and I get that feeling every day with RPN.
Pauline Rutberg, Treasurer
Pauline Rutberg is a CPA and is the controller at Cobblestone Capital Advisors, LLC. She currently serves on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester and has been an active volunteer and leader in several other organizations. Pauline has family members with generalized dystonia and seeks to support movement disorder patients and caregivers in the greater Rochester community.
Jessie Preston, Secretary
Jessie Preston is a medical speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with adults with neurological communication and cognitive disorders. After working in acute rehab and homecare settings for 15 years, Jessie joined the faculty at Nazareth University. Through an annual grant received from Parkinson Voice Project, Jessie began a program for individuals with Parkinson’s where graduate students are trained to provide speech therapy services in the university clinic. The program has grown to now include three weekly voice exercise groups as well as individual therapy services each semester. Jessie is passionate about helping individuals with Parkinson’s maintain their speech and voice, as well as connect to resources in their community.
Michelle Burack
I am a movement disorders neurologist who understands that the impact of Parkinson Disease extends far beyond a person’s brain. I have been actively involved in community education and support programming for people with PD since moving to Rochester with my family in 2007.
Yvonne Hylton
Yvonne Hylton has been a chemist, an environmental analyst, a spokesperson, a project manager, a health coach and a yoga instructor. Since 2007, she is a person with Parkinson disease. Advocacy and education around Parkinson’s disease are her commitments; learning is her passion.
In YVONNE'S KITCHEN, she discusses her philosophy of life, health, and love, and celebrates the community that was waiting after her diagnosis.
In YVONNE'S KITCHEN, she discusses her philosophy of life, health, and love, and celebrates the community that was waiting after her diagnosis.
Dan Kinel
Dan Kinel is a retired lawyer. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013, he has also become deeply involved in patient advocacy and believes in the power of personal face-to-face connections in fighting PD. Over the course of his almost three decades as a corporate and securities lawyer, he represented numerous companies, from start-ups to NYSE-listed public companies, in corporate governance, corporate finance, securities compliance, and other business law matters.
Lindsay Perez
Lindsay is a Physical Therapist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in neurorehabilitation. In 2016 Lindsay created the Parkinson’s Wellness Program, which began with Physical Therapy and eventually grew to include Parkinson’s Disease-specific group exercise classes. Lindsay spends her day working directly with people with PD to improve their movement abilities and quality of life. She believes access to high quality, individual care should be easily accessible for everyone living with PD.
Monica Piraino
Monica Piraino is a strategic marketing and communications leader working across health, nonprofit, policy, and consumer sectors. She specializes in helping organizations clarify positioning, align strategy with mission, and navigate complex public-facing issues. Her work is grounded in senior-level advisory engagement, with a focus on governance, thoughtful decision-making, and long-term impact.
She is the founder of Brand & Butter, a boutique marketing and communications consultancy, where she advises organizations and leadership teams at moments of growth and change. Monica holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Rochester, and brings a cross-industry perspective shaped by complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
She is the founder of Brand & Butter, a boutique marketing and communications consultancy, where she advises organizations and leadership teams at moments of growth and change. Monica holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Rochester, and brings a cross-industry perspective shaped by complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Ruth Schneider
Dr. Schneider is a board-certified neurologist with expertise in movement disorders. She graduated from Brown University and received her MD from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She completed her neurology residency and a movement disorders fellowship, both at the University of Rochester. She joined the faculty in 2015 and specializes in the care of patients with movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and essential tremor.
Mary Pat Vogel
Mary Pat Vogel has been a Parkinson’s care partner for her husband, Bob, since his 2015 diagnosis and is a retired teacher with over 30 years of experience. She has been an advocate and driven researcher for over 30 years in her roles as teacher and a parent of children with disabilities. Being involved with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) as a presenter and facilitator of their classes has helped her see how important it is to provide support and education for all people with disabilities, and those who care for them, as they navigate a challenging world. She brings to the board her empathy, organizational skills, a dedication to researching best practices, and a heart for advocacy.
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Ronald B. Knight
Ron Knight is a retired, thirty-year executive of the Xerox Corporation. He was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2014. His volunteer work in the community has been primarily focused on healthcare. Ron’s passion is the identification of challenges for people with PD and finding solutions, for not only people with Parkinson's but also their caregivers.
RETIRED BOARD MEMBERS
Dave Henning
Dave Henning served as the first treasurer for the organization. His previous experience as treasurer for a different non-profit organization, his experience working in Kodak's Treasury department, and his service as the Assistant Controller for a start-up company contributed to his effectiveness and expertise. His longstanding involvement with the Parkinson’s community was and continues to be inspired by his brother-in-law.
Dennis Whitney
It has been an honor to be part of the formation of this organization. One of the keys to living successfully with Parkinson’s is a connected local community with access to information, resources, and a network of people and care partners. Those connections were essential as my wife Louise and I navigated her journey through the disease. I am proud to see Rochester Parkinson Network continue to grow and build those connections.
Introducing...Rochester Women vs Parkinson's
Rochester Women vs. Parkinson’s - a group of women all diagnosed with PD - have joined together to address the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. We volunteer our time to educate the community about Parkinson’s, the toll the disease takes and the essential steps that will help to prevent the disease.
Our mission is to advocate for policies and practices that prevent Parkinson’s and to improve the treatment and quality of life for those living with the disease.
What Can You Do?
--Contact your senators and members of Congress. Ask them to support increased research and regulation of environmental poisons. Advocate for funds to clean up state and federal superfund sites.
--Contact local officials and ask them to desist in using toxic pesticides in public parks and by sidewalks.
--Encourage the public to stop using toxic chemicals on their lawns.
--Support sustainable methods of farming such as crop rotation and integrated pest management. Purchase organic foods.
Want to do more?
Our mission is to advocate for policies and practices that prevent Parkinson’s and to improve the treatment and quality of life for those living with the disease.
What Can You Do?
--Contact your senators and members of Congress. Ask them to support increased research and regulation of environmental poisons. Advocate for funds to clean up state and federal superfund sites.
--Contact local officials and ask them to desist in using toxic pesticides in public parks and by sidewalks.
--Encourage the public to stop using toxic chemicals on their lawns.
--Support sustainable methods of farming such as crop rotation and integrated pest management. Purchase organic foods.
Want to do more?