Second Parkinsonism Walk Sets Date

More than 200 people gathered in Little Rock on Nov. 1, 2025, for the first Parkinsonism Walk. That inaugural event raised over $18,000 for neurological care. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is hosting a second walk on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Little Rock Zoo.

The event is open to the public and aims to raise awareness about Parkinsonism, a group of neurological conditions that cause movement problems. Funds raised will support education and community initiatives. The walk is organized by the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Neurology.

Registration and check-in begin at 9 a.m. at the zoo’s pavilion. Organizers will deliver a welcome message and brief remarks at 10 a.m. inside the pavilion. Participants can explore activity tables, educational resources, and displays from community partners during this time.

Walkers may join sitting or standing pre-walk stretching sessions before the main activity begins at 10:30 a.m. The route covers a designated 0.3-mile paved path through the zoo. It starts and ends at the pavilion. Benches and a water station are available along the way. Participants are encouraged to complete the loop at their own pace.

Local musician John Lee will perform live in the pavilion starting at 11:15 a.m. The event concludes at noon. Tickets cost $25. Proceeds directly benefit UAMS programs across Arkansas for people living with Parkinsonism.

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university. It operates hospitals in Little Rock and Bryant, an orthopaedic hospital, and a main campus in Little Rock. The system includes a statewide network of regional campuses and seven institutes. UAMS Health encompasses the clinical enterprise, including affiliated hospitals in Pine Bluff, Helena-West Helena, Mena, and Warren. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state.

The university has 3,813 students and 1,030 medical residents and fellows. It employs about 12,000 people, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center, and Baptist Health.