INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The National Institute for Fitness and Sport hosted its fourth “Pump it for Parkinson’s” on Thursday. It’s a step-a-thon style event with more than 500 locations participating.

Organizers set a goal of hitting 50 million nationally this year. Last year, the fundraiser hit 33 million steps. Locally, NIFS hopes to reach 2 million steps.

The annual fundraiser is part of the nonprofit’s efforts for Parkinson’s Awareness Month, which falls in April.

This year, the group partnered with White River State Park and put up signage for people to track their steps to submit.

President Emily Davenport says exercise has proven to be key in managing Parkinson’s symptoms.

“When we started this initiative four years ago, our goal was to raise awareness on the benefits,” Davenport said. “It’s amazing what we’ve learned of how many people are touched by this disease, whether it’s the diagnosis for themself or a family member, a friend who has that diagnosis.”

Steps were completed on the track in the gym or on exercise machines. NIFS has worked with exercise equipment company NuStep since the event’s inception.

Sales Manager Shane Lehto says his coworkers make a day of the event every year at their Michigan headquarters.

“We also invite the public to come in,” Lehto said. “We’ve got several of our machines set up. We’ve got a big screen TV that’s got a track that they can race on.”

Pump it for Parkinson’s complements the organization’s work in fitness for aging populations. It also runs “Bold Moves,” an exercise regimen for people living with the disease.

Alex Carpenter is an instructor at NIFS who leads some of those classes. He says it’s rewarding to see someone’s progress.

“Honestly, (it’s) the best part of my day,” Carpenter said. “Just seeing that positive interaction and hearing those things that they’re actually benefiting from this — I found through this that this is definitely my passion in life.”

Also new this year, the event includes a vendor fair featuring local resources.

“Hoop it for Parkinson’s” returns on Thursday alongside the step-a-thon portion of the event. It’s a special basketball game at 2 p.m. with people who have the disease.

To submit steps to this year’s Pump it for Parkinson’s, visit the event’s website. Donations can also be made on the Parkinson’s Foundation website.

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This episode of the BEO Show covers a variety of business topics, including the OWMBD Vendor of the Month, an update on the collapse of Saks Global, a new OMWBD certification management system, a look at the business of comedy with Sherri Shepherd, a salute to the female-owned design firm IDO, Inc., and tax and overtime tips from the Indiana CPA Society.

Why it matters

The BEO Show provides a comprehensive overview of important business news and trends impacting the Indianapolis and Indiana business community, covering topics ranging from minority-owned business development to the evolving retail landscape to the growing comedy industry.

The details

The episode features interviews with several business leaders and experts, including Jill Hall of ReproGraphix, Inc., William Stern of Cardiff, David Fredricks of OMWBD, comedian and talk show host Sherri Shepherd, and the principals of the female-owned design firm IDO, Inc. The topics discussed offer insights into the challenges and opportunities facing businesses of all sizes in the region.

• The BEO Show airs on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Viewers can find more information about the topics covered in the episode on the websites and social media pages of the featured guests and organizations.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The need for school psychologists is growing across Indiana, fitting a trend school districts are seeing nationwide.

The National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of one psychologist to 500 students. According to its data for the 2024-25 school year, Indiana had one psychologist per every 1,869 students.

This fall, the University of Indianapolis is launching a new school psychology program, specifically targeting people already working in schools.

It’s a three-year Education Specialist Master’s Degree. Candidates would complete evening classes and other asynchronous work for two years, and work in schools for another year.

Interim Director Aerin Welch says they’re hoping to fill the gap of School Psychologists in Indiana.

“One of our goals is to work with districts,” Dr. Aerin Welch, the program’s interim director, said. “[They may] have people within their districts who…want to stay within their school communities, but also want a change of pace and to try a new position.“

The shortage is a problem that preschool psychologist Melissa Duvall sees firsthand at the Wanamaker Early Learning Center, part of Franklin Township Community Schools.

“We are probably the busiest building — It seems like,” Duvall said.

On average, she says the school evaluates about 200 students a year. The closing months of the school year prove to be even busier, as they have to reevaluate students ahead of their transition to kindergarten.

Duvall knows how important her work is to the district.

“My job is to just kind of work with students to figure out how they best learn,” Duvall said. “So that we can work with the rest of the staff, so that they can continue to fill their toolbox with things that make sense to that child.”

It’s a sentiment Franklin Township Superintendent and UIndy alum Dr. Chase Huotari echoes.

He says he’d like to have one school psychologist at every building in the district.

“If you look at the school psychologists we have, it goes way beyond just them doing the work with the kids,” Huotari said. “They’re a key part of the entire school community.”

Duvall didn’t originally intend to become a school psychologist. She’s hopeful UIndy’s new program can open doors for others like her.

“It’s just one of those things that you don’t really realize is out there,” Duvall said. “I’m so glad that I was able to find it.”

Applications for UIndy’s new school psychology degree program are now open. Welch says the university hopes to send out acceptance letters this summer.