In 1991, Joan Samuelson founded the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) when she realized that Parkinson’s disease was not receiving enough funding or attention from the federal government.   Joan immediately put her hard work and creativity into building a Parkinson’s organization to teach those with Parkinson’s how to advocate for themselves. 

Diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1987, Joan left the practice of law to found PAN four years after her diagnosis.  Upon starting the organization, she used her spirit and drive to fight for more attention for Parkinson’s disease.  This determination and dedication inspired many more around the country to become advocates and successfully fight for their cause. 

Joan immediately took her fight to Capitol Hill where she walked the halls of Congress, knocking on doors to be heard.  With each meeting, her voice grew a little louder and PAN began to grow.  What started as an organization of one person, PAN has now become the strong nationwide advocacy group that it is today.  Joan’s dedication has helped take Parkinson’s disease from limited visibility to the national consciousness. Serving as PAN President until 2006, thanks to Joan millions of Americans today understand more about Parkinson’s disease and that a cure is within reach.  

In addition to her outstanding work at the Parkinson’s Action Network, Joan has been the recipient of numerous other awards.  In December 1996, Joan was named one of the year's "Legal Eagles" by California Lawyer magazine, defined as one of 30 California lawyers "who made new law, set new policy, continued their exceptional work, or changed the course of national events."

Joan also was a recipient of the California Federation of Business and Professional Women's Hall of Fame Award in 1993 and the Boalt Hall School of Law Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award in 1996. In February 1997, she was honored by the American Society for Neural Transplantation for "outstanding efforts and support for research."

Joan also received the Research! America's 2000 advocacy award for "Exceptional Contributions as a Volunteer Advocate for Medical or other Health-Related Research.”  In October, 2003, she received the Parkinson's Institute 15th Anniversary Celebration and Gala Award for Achievement.

Joan has been appointed to a variety of advisory panels on biomedical research and health policy. She served as an Independent Report Reviewer for the 2004 Report of the National Academies’ of Science’s Institute of Medicine on NIH Extramural Centers Programs. In 2004 she was appointed Patient Advocate to the Medicare Consumer Advisory Committee.  In addition, in 2004, she was placed on the state of California Stem Cell Board as a member of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and continues to serve in that position.

Joan currently serves on the PAN Board of Directors and continues to advocate for better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s.
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“You may feel that if you have a Parkinson’s diagnosis that a lot of your power over your life was taken on that day.  Well, you were given power on that day as well.  Because you have the power to tell your story whether you have Parkinson’s or someone you love does, you can tell that story to your Congressman and your Senators.”

Joan Samuelson
Parkinson’s Unity Walk