Charting a New P.A.T.H. in Parkinson’s Care: Combining Digital Innovation with Lived Experiences

During a virtual focus group with Parkinson’s Community Los Angeles (PCLA), I watched as participants leaned closer to their screens — not out of obligation, but out of hope. They weren’t just offering feedback. They were sharing pieces of themselves.

Dan, who suffers from night terrors, asked for meditation guides to help calm him down before sleep. Amelia, a dedicated schoolteacher, emphasized her need for medication reminders so she wouldn’t miss a dose during her hectic school days. Edward, who is unhoused, shared how difficult it is to get to medical appointments without reliable transportation.

These moments redefined what innovation meant to me: Health technology must be more than an invention — it must be inclusive, accessible, and rooted in lived experiences.

This became the heartbeat of Project P.A.T.H. (Parkinson’s Access to Technology & Health), an initiative to reduce disparities in Parkinson’s disease care for historically underserved Black and Hispanic communities in East and South L.A. Many patients in these neighborhoods face challenges beyond the reach of a prescription pad: unaffordable medications, limited transportation, and language barriers.

Project P.A.T.H. aims to change that by combining a multilingual, community-informed mobile app with an ambassador program led by trusted community members. With features such as medication cost comparison tools, culturally tailored educational modules, and support group directories, our app aims to consolidate existing resources into a single, easy-to-use platform. Community advocates will also provide digital literacy support, offer live app demonstrations, lead outreach workshops, and foster trust among patients historically excluded from specialized neurological care.

“These moments redefined what innovation meant to me: Health technology must be more than an invention — it must be inclusive, accessible, and rooted in lived experiences.”

Building Project P.A.T.H. didn’t begin overnight. As an undergraduate student at UCLA, I had the opportunity to create HAND (High-tech and Neurological Disorders) — a student-led organization dedicated to advancing medical innovation and strengthening community outreach in neurological disease. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jeff Bronstein, director of the UCLA Movement Disorders Clinic, HAND has grown into a vibrant network of over 200 members and alumni, launching an educational podcast series, hosting three clinical conferences, and bringing STEM education to schools across Los Angeles County.

Now, as a second-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine, I’m committed to advancing more equitable, patient-centered care for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Patients like Dan, Amelia, and Edward remind us that meaningful innovation goes beyond technology. It’s about creating practical solutions that meet real community needs and remove barriers to care. Through Project P.A.T.H., we aim to improve access to critical resources, strengthen digital literacy, and ensure no one travels alone in their health care journey.