Cedarhurst's Joel Gerstel named president and CEO of American Parkinson Disease Association

Cedarhurst resident, Joel Gerstel, will take on more responsibilities as he was elected president and CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association at the end of May.

“I’ll be more involved and I’ll be looking over different parts of the operation,” Gerstel said about his new position.

Gerstel, 75, previously served as the Association’s executive director since 1997 and initially became a member of the American Parkinson Disease Association 25 years ago for personal reasons. “My brother-in-law had Parkinson’s disease and I saw him gradually diminishing,” he said. “I wanted to do something to help him and others like him.”

For nine years, from 1986 to 1995, Gerstel served as the development director for the Pride of Judea Mental Health Center in Douglaston. He also represents the Parkinson’s disease community on the Transportation Security Administration’s Disability Coalition. “We get complaints by people with disabilities and I get in touch with folks at the disability coalition,” Gerstel said. “I make seating arrangements and make it easier for patients.”

While Gerstel has resided in Cedarhurst for the past 45 years, he said he still enjoys living in the community. “Cedarhurst has always been a place where you could live and your neighbors would be very friendly,” he said. “It was a nice community when I moved in and it still is.”