About Us
Welcome to the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada (PSCNN). Founded in 2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada (PSCNN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s Disease. Our goal is to provide a community, education, advocacy for the more than 5,000 people living with Parkinson’s Disease in our region.
Our Vision
To ensure no one has to face Parkinson’s Disease alone.
Our Mission
At PSCNN, our mission is simple but powerful:
-
Provide Support: We offer vital resources and a network of support for individuals with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.
-
Engage the Parkinson’s Community: We create opportunities for people affected by Parkinson’s Disease to connect, learn, and build meaningful relationships.
-
Raise Awareness: We work to educate the public about Parkinson’s Disease, increasing awareness and understanding of this fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease.
Why We Exist
Living with Parkinson’s Disease can feel isolating, but no one in northern Nevada has to face it alone. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-time patient, or a caregiver, we are here for you. Our team of passionate volunteers is committed to ensuring that every person impacted by Parkinson’s Disease in our community has access to the information and support they need to improve their quality of life.
What Sets Us Apart
-
Community-Focused: As a grassroots organization, we are deeply rooted in the northern Nevada community. We understand local challenges and are dedicated to connecting people to the right resources, services, and support.
-
Collaboration: While we are not affiliated with any national organization, we actively collaborate with local, regional, and national groups to create a broader network of care.
-
Volunteer-Driven: Our small, dedicated group of volunteers enables us to offer personal, compassionate support to every individual and family we serve.
-
Holistic Support: We believe in supporting not only the individual but the entire family. Our services are designed to address the emotional, physical, and informational needs of those affected by Parkinson’s.
Our Story
The Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada was born out of necessity during an incredibly challenging time—the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the closure of the local APDA Information & Referral Center, co-founders Mindy Lokshin and Nicole Mueller recognized a critical gap in care. Inspired to ensure that no one in the region would have to face the challenges of Parkinson’s disease isolated and alone, they launched PSCNN in 2021.
In just a few short years, their shared vision has grown into a vital, grassroots resource connecting thousands of local families to the tools, knowledge, and community support they need to navigate life with Parkinson’s.
Our Founders
Mindy Lokshin, MD
Co-Founder & Board Vice Chair
Dr. Mindy Lokshin is a former family physician with multiple family members with Parkinson's disease. Together with an all-volunteer board, she co-founded the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada in 2021 to meet the needs of the Parkinson's community.
The Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada exists so no one has to face Parkinson’s alone. They provide support for those affected by Parkinson’s, opportunities for our Parkinson community to engage and connect, and information to the public to raise awareness of the disease.
Nicole Mueller
Co-Founder
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Nicole studied advertising and communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before finishing her degree in Film at Columbia College Chicago. She spent many years in commercial advertising editing for iconic brands, and later spent six years with Harpo Productions editing for The Oprah Winfrey Show.
In 2011, Nicole relocated to Reno, Nevada. She became the Coordinator for the VA’s American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) Information & Referral Center in 2016, dedicating herself to assisting the Northern Nevada Parkinson's community. When the center closed in 2021, she co-founded PSCNN alongside Mindy Lokshin to safeguard the community's support system. Nicole served as a foundational leader and Vice Chair of the board from PSCNN's inception until her retirement from the organization in 2026. PSCNN remains deeply grateful for her vision, dedication, and lasting impact.
PSCNN Board
PSCNN Advisory Board Members
Leticia Alvizo, MS, CCC-SLP
PSCNN Advisory Board
Leticia Alvizo, MS, CCC-SLP is a dedicated speech-language pathologist specializing in treating individuals with Parkinson’s disease. With a deep understanding of the challenges this condition presents, Leticia is committed to helping her clients maintain and regain essential communication, cognitive, and swallowing skills. Leticia Alvizo, MS, CCC-SLP is a dedicated speech-language pathologist specializing in treating individuals with Parkinson’s disease. With a deep understanding of the challenges this condition presents, Leticia is committed to helping her clients maintain and regain essential communication, cognitive, and swallowing skills. Leticia earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). As the founder of Reach Therapy Group, Leticia has built a practice centered on innovation and excellence. Her team prioritizes staying at the forefront of evidence-based treatment approaches, advanced technology, and compassionate care to serve the Parkinson’s community effectively. Leticia is certified in two of the most highly regarded treatment programs for Parkinson’s disease: the SPEAK OUT!® Program and the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). In addition, she leads a weekly LOUD Crowd® group, fostering a supportive community for individuals with Parkinson’s. This group helps participants maintain therapy progress and build meaningful connections with others who share similar experiences. Leticia is passionate about helping people REACH their maximum potential and maintain it for a better quality of life.
Danny Truong, MD
PSCNN Advisory Board
Dr. Danny Truong is a board-certified neurologist specializing in movement disorders and general neurology. He provides expert care in conditions like Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, with advanced skills in deep brain stimulation (DBS) programming and botulinum toxin injections for migraines, spasticity, dystonia, and hemifacial spasm. He is currently practicing at Renown Health’s Institute for Neurosciences in Reno, NV. He is also serving as Assistant Professor in Clinical Neurology at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, where he is a regular lecturer and preceptor for medical students. While at the University of California Los Angeles, Dr. Truong has contributed to research in the neurosciences, particularly in circadian rhythm dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. His work has been published in journals like Neurobiology of Disease and Experimental Neurology. He then completed his medical education at Touro University California, followed by neurology residency at Dell Medical School - University of Texas at Austin. He further advanced training with a fellowship in Movement Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases at the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston. Committed to innovation and compassionate care, Dr. Truong integrates evidence-based medicine with a personalized approach to improve patients’ quality of life. He is actively involved in research, education, and professional organizations like the American Academy of Neurology and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCS
PSCNN Advisory Board
Dr. Katie Nathan, PT, DPT, NCS, is a physical therapist specializing in neurologic care with a passion for empowering individuals with Parkinson’s to live vibrant, confident, and active lives. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California in 2016 and is a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Certified in PWR!Moves and LSVT BIG, Dr. Katie focuses on evidence-based exercise programs that improve movement and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s. As the founder of Moved by Movement, she provides fitness coaching and wellness services for specifically people with Parkinson's, including outdoor group classes in Northern Nevada and the Movement Matters Membership, an online program making expert care accessible to the Parkinson’s community. With a deep love for exercise and wellness, Dr. Katie strives to inspire others to be truly "Moved by Movement."
Confidentiality and Privacy
The Parkinson Support Center believes that decisions about medical care must occur between a patient and a trusted medical professional. The information presented on this website is not intended to replace or interfere with the course of your medical care. It is intended only to assist you in your understanding of Parkinson’s disease.
No information contained on this website is offered or intended as medical advice.
We cannot endorse any treatments described on sites that we link to. We recommend that treatment decisions are based on personal treatment goals with a trusted clinician with experience in the care of Parkinson’s disease, or a physician who can work in conjunction with a PD specialist.
Your confidentiality is of utmost concern to us. We will not share any information you provide to us for any reason without your permission. Please be advised that the security of information transmitted by email, over the internet, in internet-based discussion boards, or social media sites cannot be guaranteed.