SAVE THE DATE! Becker Education and Engagement Day will return on September 28th, 2024!

2025 Location Information

The Becker Education and Engagement Day will be held at five locations across the country to provide Becker specific information to the community. Review general event information below and navigate to a specific location tab to see venue information and location specific agendas.

Each location will host a casual pre-meeting evening reception on Friday, September 26th. The informal reception will be open for event registrants at the hotel from 6-8pm and will allow attendees to check-in for the event, receive conference materials, mingle with others living with Becker and visit vendor booths. Light refreshments and appetizers will be available throughout the evening.

On Saturday, September 27th each BEED location will follow the same agenda format from 9am-6pm local time. The day will include morning general sessions for all attendees and afternoon adult-specific and pediatric-specific breakout tracks. The event will conclude with a reception for attendees. See the agenda overview below.

Event logistics:

  • Please note, there will be no childcare available at BEED. Content of the event will be targeted towards adults, please consider this as you plan your attendance.
  • Food and drinks will be provided throughout the event including breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day. Dietary needs will be collected at registration and accommodations will be provided to the best of our ability.
  • Parking for attendance at BEED will be covered through validation and vouchers at the event
  • If travel is a barrier to your attendance at BEED please indicate your travel requirements in your registration form, you will be contacted by the event planning team to discuss your needs. Travel assistance is limited and on a first-come first-served basis and is only available for the event location closest to where the registrant lives.
  • Attendees are encouraged to register to the event closest to them to hear from local care teams and meet others from the surrounding areas

The Day’s Agenda

SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 27TH | 9AM – 6PM Local Time

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE

9:00-12:00pm
Becker Overview & Care Providers
Cardiac Screening and Care in Becker
Building your Becker Care
Occupational Therapy: Addressing Activities of Daily Living
Physical Therapy: Movement and Exercise

BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

12:00-12:30pm
Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM

LIVING WITH BECKER

1:30-4:30pm
Navigating Life with Becker: Patient Panel

Adult Track

Relationships & Communication Panel
Changing the Narrative around Independence and Equipment: Patient Panel
Employment & Financial Planning

Pediatric Track

Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
School Resources
Reception: 4:30 - 6:00PM

The Venue

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

500 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Becker Education & Engagement Day

Saturday September 27th 2025 | Sacramento, CA | 9AM-6PM PDT

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE

9:00am-12:00pm
9:00am Welcome Remarks
9:05-9:45am Becker Overview & Care Providers
John Day, MD, PhD
9:45-10:20am Cardiac Screening and Care in Becker
Yoni Dayan, MD
10:20-10:45am Building your Becker Care: Panel
John Day, MD, PhD
Yoni Dayan, MD
Amber Rapperson, LVN
Patient Panel: MaryLynn Rochlitz
Break 10:45-11am
11:00-11:25am Occupational Therapy: Addressing Activities of Daily Living
Jamie Bunning, MSOT, OTR/L
11:25-11:50am Physical Therapy: Movement and Developing an Exercise Plan
Tina Doung, MPT, PhD
11:50-12:00pm OT & PT Panel

BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

12:00-12:30pm
12:00-12:30pm Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Sean Romeo
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM

LIVING WITH BECKER

1:30-4:30pm
1:30-2:20pm Navigating Life with Becker: Patient Panel
Lynea Kaethler, MS
Patient Panel: TJ Tagg, Carter Londono
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)

Adult Track

2:30-3:10pm Relationships & Communication: Panel
Connie Wolford, MSN, FNP-BC
Patient Panel: TJ Tagg, Julie Ganoe,
Randy Molinari
3:10-3:45pm Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Patient Panel
Connie Wolford, MSN, FNP-BC
Patient Panel: Jeff Ganoe, Carter Londono
3:45-4:10pm Employment & Financial Planning
Kelly Placenti

Pediatric Track

2:30-3:10pm Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Panel: Jessica Guzman, RN
Prasanth Surampudi, MD
Jenna Klotz, MD
3:10-3:45pm Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
Panel: MaryLynn Rocklist, Cristina Miller,
Graden Miller, Kim Maddux Perry,
Rhiannon Hubbard
3:45-4:10pm School Resources
Jessica Guzman, RN
Break 4:10-4:15pm (Make your way back to the main session room)
4:15-4:25pm Building a Becker Community
Erica Goude, MS, CCRP
4:25-4:30pm Closing Remarks
Reception: 4:30 - 6:00PM

The Venue

Hyatt Regency Bellevue

900 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

Becker Education & Engagement Day

Saturday September 27th 2025 | Seattle, WA | 9AM-6PM PDT

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE

9:00am-12:00pm
9:00am Welcome Remarks
9:05-9:45am Becker Overview & Care Providers
Nassim Rad, MD
Dan Hurwitz, MD
9:45-10:20am Cardiac Screening and Care in Becker
David Owens, MD
10:20-10:45am Building your Becker Care: Panel
Nassim Rad, MD
Dan Hurwitz, MD
David Owens, MD
Patient Panel: Robert Warda, Jay Larson
Break 10:45-11am
11:00-11:25am Occupational Therapy: Addressing Activities of Daily Living
April Trenaman, OTR/L
11:25-11:50am Physical Therapy: Movement and Developing an Exercise Plan
Kirsten Zilke, PT, DPT
11:50-12:00pm OT & PT Panel

BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

12:00-12:30pm
12:00-12:30pm Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Bill Rooney, PhD
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM

LIVING WITH BECKER

1:30-4:30pm
1:30-2:20pm Navigating Life with Becker: Patient Panel
Bill Rooney, PhD
Patient Panel: Elias Bracamonte,
Aman Sharma, Robert Warda
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)

Adult Track

2:30-3:10pm Relationships & Communication: Panel
Julia Fram, MD
Patient Panel: Elias Bracamonte, Jay Larson
3:10-3:45pm Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Patient Panel
Julia Fram, MD
Patient Panel: Robert Warda
3:45-4:10pm Employment & Financial Planning
Shannon Wood

Pediatric Track

2:30-3:10pm Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Dan Hurwitz, MD
Kara Smith, RN, BSN, CRRN
WenPei Ridenour, RN, BSN
3:10-3:45pm Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
Kara Smith, RN, BSN, CRRN
Panel: Megan Nelson, Tate Nelson,
Jessica Schumacher
3:45-4:10pm School Resources
Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed
Break 4:10-4:15pm (Make your way back to the main session room)
4:15-4:25pm Building a Becker Community
Nassim Rad, MD
4:25-4:30pm Closing Remarks
Reception: 4:30 - 6:00PM

The Venue

Florida Hotel and Conference Center

1500 Sand Lank Road
Orlando, FL 32809

Becker Education & Engagement Day

Saturday September 27th 2025 | Orlando, FL | 9AM-6PM EDT

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE

9:00am-12:00pm
9:00am Welcome Remarks
9:05-9:45am Becker Overview & Care Providers
Sub Submarony, MD
Omer Abdul-Hamid, MD
9:45-10:20am Cardiac Screening and Care in Becker
Renata Shih, MD
10:20-10:45am Building your Becker Care: Panel
Sub Submarony, MD
Gina Killian, DNP, APRN
Renata Shih, MD
Omer Abdul-Hamid, MD
Patient Panel: Brian Springett, Michael Voto
Break 10:45-11am
11:00-11:25am Occupational Therapy: Addressing Activities of Daily Living
Joyce Severance, OTR/L
11:25-11:50am Physical Therapy: Movement and Developing an Exercise Plan
Claudia Senesac, PT, PhD, PCS
11:50-12:00pm OT & PT Panel

BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

12:00-12:30pm
12:00-12:30pm Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Krista Vandenborne, PhD
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM

LIVING WITH BECKER

1:30-4:30pm
1:30-2:20pm Navigating Life with Becker: Patient Panel
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
Patient Panel: David West, Brian Springett,
Anthony Navarro
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)

Adult Track

2:30-3:10pm Relationships & Communication: Panel
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
Patient Panel: Michael Voto, Evan Hakamaki,
Charlie Risebeck
3:10-3:45pm Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Patient Panel
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
Patient Panel: Michael Voto, David West
3:45-4:10pm Employment & Financial Planning
Shannon Ahmed, MSc

Pediatric Track

2:30-3:10pm Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Omer Abdul-Hamid, MD
Gina Killian, DNP, APRN
3:10-3:45pm Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
Gina Killian, DNP, APRN
Panel: Jony Hansen, Charlie Risebeck,
Jason Kubik
3:45-4:10pm School Resources
Kuna Tavalin
Break 4:10-4:15pm (Make your way back to the main session room)
4:15-4:25pm Building a Becker Community
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
4:25-4:30pm Closing Remarks
Reception: 4:30 - 6:00PM

The Venue

Hyatt Regency St Louis at the Arch

315 Chestnut Street,
St. Louis, MO, USA. 63102

Becker Education & Engagement Day

Saturday September 27th 2025 | St. Louis, MO | 9AM-6PM CDT

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE

9:00am-12:00pm
9:00am Welcome Remarks
9:05-9:45am Becker Overview & Care Providers
Aravindhan Veerapandiyan, MD
Arun Varadhachary, MD, PhD
9:45-10:20am Cardiac Screening and Care in Becker
Andreas Barth, MD, PhD
10:20-10:45am Building your Becker Care: Panel
Aravindhan Veerapandiyan, MD
Arun Varadhachary, MD, PhD
Andreas Barth, MD, PhD
Break 10:45-11am
11:00-11:25am Occupational Therapy: Addressing Activities of Daily Living
Lauren Litwiller, MOT, OTR/L
11:25-11:50am Physical Therapy: Movement and Developing an Exercise Plan
Donovan Lott, PT, PhD, CSCS
11:50-12:00pm OT & PT Panel

BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

12:00-12:30pm
12:00-12:30pm Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Arun Varadhachary, MD, PhD
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM

LIVING WITH BECKER

1:30-4:30pm
1:30-2:20pm Navigating Life with Becker: Patient Panel
Christina Trout, RN, MSN
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Greg Willett,
Kevin Barnes
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)

Adult Track

2:30-3:10pm Relationships & Communication: Panel
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Ronald Hutchinson, John Tessmer,
Andrew Tessmer, Alex Tessmer
3:10-3:45pm Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Patient Panel
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Kevin Barnes, Greg Willett,
Ronald Hutchinson
3:45-4:10pm Employment & Financial Planning
Lori Becker, MBA

Pediatric Track

2:30-3:10pm Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Aravindhan Veerapandiyan, MD
Christina Trout, RN, MSN
3:10-3:45pm Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
Christina Trout, RN, MSN
Panel: Tina Campbell, Bina Oza Trivedi,
Ginger Edwards
3:45-4:10pm School Resources
Natalie McCarthy
Break 4:10-4:15pm (Make your way back to the main session room)
4:15-4:25pm Building a Becker Community
Alexis Hazlett
4:25-4:30pm Closing Remarks
Reception: 4:30 - 6:00PM

The Venue

LOEWS Philadelphia

1200 Market Street,
Philadelphia, 19107

Becker Education & Engagement Day

Saturday September 27th 2025 | Philadelphia, PA | 9AM-6PM EDT

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE

9:00am-12:00pm
9:00am Welcome Remarks
9:05-9:45am Becker Overview & Care Providers
John Brandsema, MD
Paula Clemens, MD
Colin Quinn, MD
9:45-10:20am Cardiac Screening and Care in Becker
Teresa Wang, MD
10:20-10:45am Building your Becker Care: Panel
John Brandsema, MD
Paula Clemens, MD
Teresa Wang, MD
Colin Quinn, MD
Patient Panel: Nevin Steiner
Break 10:45-11am
11:00-11:25am Occupational Therapy: Addressing Activities of Daily Living
Allyson Wong, OTRL, OTD, MPH
11:25-11:50am Physical Therapy: Movement and Developing an Exercise Plan
Mallory Gardner, PT, DPT, PCS
11:50-12:00pm OT & PT Panel

BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

12:00-12:30pm
12:00-12:30pm Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Paula Clemens, MD
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM

LIVING WITH BECKER

1:30-4:30pm
1:30-2:20pm Navigating Life with Becker: Patient Panel
Patient Panel: Nevin Steiner, Jess Westman,
Pat Cusick
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)

Adult Track

2:30-3:10pm Relationships & Communication: Panel
Areti Vassilopoulos, PhD
Patient Panel: Pat Cusick, Steve Werniscki,
Melissa Werniscki
3:10-3:45pm Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Patient Panel
Areti Vassilopoulos, PhD
Patient Panel: Nevin Steiner, Steve Werniscki
3:45-4:10pm Employment & Financial Planning
Bruce Sham, CLF

Pediatric Track

2:30-3:10pm Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
John Brandsema, MD
Paula Clemens, MD
Julianne Meiser, MSS, LCSW
Colin Quinn, MD
3:10-3:45pm Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
Julianne Meiser, MSS, LCSW
Panel: Kristen Cooper, Dylan Cooper,
Jess Westman
3:45-4:10pm School Resources
Annie Tulkin, MS
Break 4:10-4:15pm (Make your way back to the main session room)
4:15-4:25pm Building a Becker Community
Nevin Steiner, Pat Cusick
4:25-4:30pm Closing Remarks
Reception: 4:30 - 6:00PM