Parkinson Association of Central Florida names Todd Stewart new Board President
John Gabriel, Orlando Magic and Todd Stewart, Envision Orlando
Orlando, Florida, October 5, 2021 - Todd Stewart is new PACF president
We are thrilled to announce that Todd Stewart is the new president of the Parkinson Association of Central Florida.
Todd owns and operates Envision Orlando, a commercial sign company based in Winter Park. Prior to that, Todd spent 14 years in the Orlando Sentinel newsroom in a variety of senior leadership roles.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013, Todd publicly shared his diagnosis in 2018 in the pages of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper and an accompanying video on OrlandoSentinel.com. He joined the PACF Board of Directors later that year and was elected President-elect of the group in 2019.
Todd says increasing awareness of PACF and improving outreach to the Parkinson’s community are among his top goals.
“As we emerge amidst the challenges of COVID, it’s more important than ever that we re-connect with our patients and caregivers,” Todd said. “Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world and our priority at PACF has to be uniting our Central Florida community with the services and support they need more now than ever.”
Todd replaces outgoing president John Gabriel of the Orlando Magic, who has successfully led the organization through the difficult and challenging days of COVID-19. Under Gabriel’s leadership, the Association raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support Parkinson’s programs throughout the region, and made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many in our region.
“As challenging as the past two years have been, I shudder to think where we’d be without John,” Todd said. “It’s impossible to overstate the importance of John’s leadership. Every bit of good PACF does going forward owes a debt of gratitude to John and his guidance through unprecedented challenges.”
The Parkinson Association of Central Florida is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that serves as a focal point to raise funds for support programs and services to enhance the quality of life for all those affected by Parkinson’s disease in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties. The PACF supports the research of new treatments for the disease with a goal of someday finding a cure.
The newly elected Executive Board of the PACF:
President: Todd Stewart, Envision Orlando
President-elect: John Ashworth, Morgan Stanley
Treasurer: Scott Herring, Chief Financial Officer at Florida Citrus Sports
Secretary: Leslie Carney, IQvia
General Counsel: G. Charles Wohlust, G. Charles Wohlust law firm
PARKINSON ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL FLORIDA GIVES $250,000 TO FLORIDA HOSPITAL FOR NEW MOVEMENT DISORDER SPECIALTY PROGRAM
From left to right: John Gabriel, former General Manager with the Orlando Magic and PACF Board Member; Dr. Kihyeong Lee and David Collis, President at Florida Hospital Foundation.
ORLANDO, Fla., April 23, 2018 — John Gabriel, former General Manager with the Orlando Magic and Parkinson Association of Central Florida (PACF) Board Member recently presented a check in the amount of $250,000 to Dr. Kihyeong Lee, Medical Director of Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute and David Collis, President of the Florida Hospital Foundation in front of more than 500 patients and caretakers at the Parkinson’s: Brain and Beyond Conference.
“We are so grateful for this partnership with PACF and this generous gift to Florida Hospital,” Collis said. “We are looking forward to developing and providing more programs for our Parkinson’s patients.”
The Parkinson Association of Central Florida Inc. is an educational and charitable organization dedicated to serving as a focal point to raise funds for support programs and services to enhance the quality of life for all those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
There are approximately 20,000 Parkinson’s patients in Central Florida and Florida Hospital reaches more than 3,500 people a year through various programs and services that are expected to grow, as the grant will help the hospital develop a comprehensive Parkinson’s and movement disorder specialty program.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects the ability to move. It can lead to tremors, slow movement and problems with balance and walking. In the United States, over 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year adding to the more than one million people who are currently living with Parkinson’s.
“As someone who is living with Parkinson’s disease, I understand the many challenges it can bring to an individual and their family,” Gabriel said. “We are pleased to present this check to Florida Hospital so that we can reach the goal of bringing world-class care for movement disorders to our community.”
PACF’s annual fundraiser, WALK FOR PARKINSON, which was held in April, has a goal of raising $125,000 this year. Contributions are still being accepted at www.parkinsoncf.org.
About the Parkinson Association of Central Florida (PACF)
The Parkinson Association of Central Florida was founded in 2015 by a small grass roots effort of people who just wanted to do something for their loved ones. It has grown to what it is today with the help of the Florida Hospital’s Parkinson’s Outreach programs and continues with their mission to improve the quality of life for all people impacted by Parkinson’s disease through research, education, outreach and fundraising. The Parkinson Association of Central Florida focuses on the geographical territory of the four-county area of Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake Counties, as well as the surrounding areas, bringing information and resources to those who need help dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Our annual Walk for Parkinson serves as a platform to bring support and awareness to our local community of 20,000 living with this disease. Contributions from supporters will help PACF fund more programs and bring awareness that may well affect change in our understanding of Parkinson’s disease and our hope to find a cure. For more information please visit, www.parkinsoncf.org. 321-348-PACF(7223).
Social media handles:
facebook.com/parkinsoncf
twitter.com/Parkinson_cf
instagram.com/parkinsoncf
About Florida Hospital
Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is a faith-based institution focused on providing whole person care. It is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than two million patient visits per year – more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. Florida Hospital stretches across the state with 26 hospitals, more than 4,600 patient beds, and more than 32,000 employees. It includes the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children, dozens of outpatient facilities and Centra Care urgent care locations throughout Central Florida.