08/20/2025
๐ช๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น๐น, ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ข๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ! Every year, the APDA Cape Cod Optimism Walk honors an individual or team that has demonstrated outstanding service, dedication, care, and/or volunteerism in support of those living with PD.
Merrill grew up in Boston and attended high school, college, and graduate school all on the same city block where she was born. She graduated from Simmons University in 2000 with a masterโs degree in physical therapy. In 2007, she moved to Cape Cod and shortly after joined Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Center in Orleans as a physical therapist, where she has run the Parkinsonโs Wellness Program since 2009.
In 2015, Merrill was part of the team that started a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class for people with PD. This HIIT class showed statistically significant data related to improving mobility in patients with PD, and that data was presented at the World Parkinson Congress in 2016.
โHeather is an amazing physical therapist and person who always goes above and beyond for the Parkinsonโs community. She has developed and delivered many evidence-based care programs and has made a lasting impact on countless lives. She plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of individuals and family members impacted by PD. We are fortunate to have such extraordinary care and support on Cape Cod,โ says Cathi A. Thomas MS, RN, CNRN, Program Director, APDA I&R Center and Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorderโs Center at Boston University Medical Campus.
๐ถ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ 2025 APDA Cape Cod Optimism Walk: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/apda25walkcapecod/
