The Becker Education and Engagement Day was held at five locations across the country to provide Becker specific information to the community. Review the 2025 event agendas and general event information below.
BEED 2025 included a casual pre-meeting evening reception on Friday, September 26th. The informal reception allowed attendees to check-in for the event, receive conference materials, mingle with others living with Becker and visit vendor booths. On Saturday, September 27th a full-day conference was held which covered a variety of topics relating to Becker Care, the afternoon featured community panelists which discussed a variety of topics related to living with Becker.
The Day’s Agenda
SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 27TH | 9AM – 6PM Local Time
BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CARE
9:00-12:00pmBecker 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
12:00-12:30pmBecker Clinical Trials and Research
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM
LIVING WITH BECKER
1:30-4:30pmNavigating 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
Prasanth Surampudi, MD
Patient Panel: Jeff Ganoe, Mary Lynn Rochlitz
Yoni Dayan, MD
Amber Rapperson, LVN
Prasanth Surampudi, MD
Patient Panel: Jeff Ganoe, Mary Lynn 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 Exercise
Tina Duong, MPT, PhD
11:50-12:00pm
OT & PT Panel
Jamie Bunning, MSOT, OTR/L
Tina Duong, MPT, PhD
Tina Duong, MPT, PhD
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: Panel
Lynea Kaethler, MS
Patient Panel: Randy Molinari, TJ Tagg
Patient Panel: Randy Molinari, TJ Tagg
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)
Adult TrackLocation: Maple Suite
2:30-3:10pm
Relationships & Communication: Panel
Connie Wolford, MSN, FNP-BC
Patient Panel: Carter Londono, TJ Tagg
Julie Ganoe, Randy Molinari
Jodi Molinari
Patient Panel: Carter Londono, TJ Tagg
Julie Ganoe, Randy Molinari
Jodi Molinari
3:10-3:45pm
Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Panel
Connie Wolford, MSN, FNP-BC
Patient Panel: Jeff Ganoe, Carter Londono
Patient Panel: Jeff Ganoe, Carter Londono
3:45-4:10pm
Employment & Financial Planning
Kelly Placenti
Pediatric TrackLocation: Alder Room
2:30-3:10pm
Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Panel: Jessica Guzman, RN
Prasanth Surampudi, MD
Jenna Klotz, MD
Prasanth Surampudi, MD
Jenna Klotz, MD
3:10-3:45pm
Caregiver Panel: Parenting a Child Living with Becker
Panel: Cristina Miller,Graden Miller
Kim Maddux Perry, Rhiannon Hubbard
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
Erik Henricson, PhD, MPH
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
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
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 Exercise
Kirsten Zilke, PT, DPT
11:50-12:00pm
OT & PT Panel
April Trenaman, OTR/L
Kirsten Zilke, PT, DPT
Kirsten Zilke, PT, DPT
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: Panel
Bill Rooney, PhD
Patient Panel: Elias Bracamonte, Aman Sharma
Robert Warda
Patient Panel: Elias Bracamonte, Aman Sharma
Robert Warda
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)
Adult TrackLocation: Regency ABCD
2:30-3:10pm
Relationships & Communication: Panel
Julia Fram, MD
Patient Panel: Elias Bracamonte, Jay Larson
Patient Panel: Elias Bracamonte, Jay Larson
3:10-3:45pm
Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Panel
Julia Fram, MD
Patient Panel: Robert Warda
Patient Panel: Robert Warda
3:45-4:10pm
Employment & Financial Planning
Shannon Wood
Pediatric TrackLocation: Regency EFG
2:30-3:10pm
Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Dan Hurwitz, MD
Kara Smith, RN, BSN, CRRN
WenPei Ridenour, RN, BSN
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
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
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
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 Exercise
Claudia Senesac, PT, PhD, PCS
11:50-12:00pm
OT & PT Panel
Joyce Severance, OTR/L
Claudia Senesac, PT, PhD, PCS
Claudia Senesac, PT, PhD, PCS
BECKER RESEARCH LANDSCAPE
12:00-12:30pm
12:00-12:30pm
Becker Clinical Trials and Research
Kelly E. Rock, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30PM
LIVING WITH BECKER
1:30-4:30pm
1:30-2:20pm
Navigating Life with Becker: Panel
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
Patient Panel: David West, Brian Springett,
Anthony Navarro
Patient Panel: David West, Brian Springett,
Anthony Navarro
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)
Adult TrackLocation: Salon 1 & 2
2:30-3:10pm
Relationships & Communication: Panel
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
Patient Panel: Michael Voto, Evan Hakamaki,
Charlie Risebeck
Patient Panel: Michael Voto, Evan Hakamaki,
Charlie Risebeck
3:10-3:45pm
Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Panel
Kristy Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP
Patient Panel: Michael Voto, David West
Patient Panel: Michael Voto, David West
3:45-4:10pm
Employment & Financial Planning
Shannon Ahmed, MSc
Pediatric TrackLocation: Salon 3
2:30-3:10pm
Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Omer Abdul-Hamid, MD
Gina Killian, DNP, APRN
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
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
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
Patient Panel: Greg Willett
Arun Varadhachary, MD, PhD
Andreas Barth, MD, PhD
Patient Panel: Greg Willett
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 Exercise
Donovan Lott, PT, PhD, CSCS
11:50-12:00pm
OT & PT Panel
Lauren Litwiller, MOT, OTR/L
Donovan Lott, PT, PhD, CSCS
Donovan Lott, PT, PhD, CSCS
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: Panel
Christina Trout, RN, MSN
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Greg Willett,
Kevin Barnes
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Greg Willett,
Kevin Barnes
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)
Adult TrackLocation: Grand Ballroom D
2:30-3:10pm
Relationships & Communication: Panel
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Ronald Hutchinson, John Tessmer,
Andrew Tessmer, Alex Tessmer
Patient Panel: Ronald Hutchinson, John Tessmer,
Andrew Tessmer, Alex Tessmer
3:10-3:45pm
Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Panel
Ben Thompson, LMFT
Patient Panel: Kevin Barnes, Greg Willett,
Ronald Hutchinson
Patient Panel: Kevin Barnes, Greg Willett,
Ronald Hutchinson
3:45-4:10pm
Employment & Financial Planning
Lori Becker, MBA
Pediatric TrackLocation: Grand Ballroom ABC
2:30-3:10pm
Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: Provider Panel
Aravindhan Veerapandiyan, MD
Christina Trout, RN, MSN
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
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
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
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 Exercise
Mallory Gardner, PT, DPT, PCS
11:50-12:00pm
OT & PT Panel
Allyson Wong, OTRL, OTD, MPH
Mallory Gardner, PT, DPT, PCS
Mallory Gardner, PT, DPT, PCS
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
Pat Cusick
Break 2:20-2:30pm (Make your way to your selected track)
Adult TrackLocation: Washington Room
2:30-3:10pm
Relationships & Communication: Panel
Areti Vassilopoulos, PhD
Patient Panel: Pat Cusick, Steve Werniscki,
Melissa Werniscki
Patient Panel: Pat Cusick, Steve Werniscki,
Melissa Werniscki
3:10-3:45pm
Changing the Narrative Around Independence & Equipment: Panel
Areti Vassilopoulos, PhD
Patient Panel: Nevin Steiner, Steve Werniscki
Patient Panel: Nevin Steiner, Steve Werniscki
3:45-4:10pm
Employment & Financial Planning
Bruce Sham, CLF
Pediatric TrackLocation: Congress ABC
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
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
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