Dr. Baker practices in Sumter, SC and Camden, SC, and currently is with Colonial Neurology, part of Colonial Family Practice/Healthcare Neurologist, as well as the Medical Director/Supervising Physician with Colonial Aesthetics, and the South Carolina Medical Director/Supervising Physician with Palmetto Diagnostics. He graduated cum laude with honors from the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina with a BS Biology and then went on to earn his MD at the University of South Carolina Medical School. He completed his internship and residency at Duke University Medical Center. He holds significant medical licensures and board certifications in several…

Two of our Board members, Joy Kinney and Will Harmon, will be our speakers. Joy Kinney, MSR CCC-SLP Joy Kinney is a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in the treatment of adults with neurological disorders, including communication, swallowing, and cognitive symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Parkinson’s, and the after effects of COVID-19. She treats adult patients, and has worked in and directed therapy programs in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, as well as in the settings of home health, the acute care hospital, and outpatient therapy. She has presented at the national and state level regarding various treatment techniques, and she…

Candy Waites is the founder and president of Seniors on the Move, the move management specialists, and is presently serving seniors in the Midlands. She has an extensive career in public service, among many positions being the president of the League of Women Voters of the Columbia area from 1973 to 1976. In 1976, she became the first woman elected to Richland County Council where she served for twelve years. In 1988 Waites was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and served for three terms. She was instrumental in the passage of legislation dealing with the reform of…

Movement Class for Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group Monday, March 24, 2025 1:00 to 2:30 PM Lexington Medical Center I Auditorium 2728 Sunset Blvd. West Columbia, SC 29169 Important: Please register for this class. The parking is at a premium at Lexington Medical Park I during the workweek. Knowing our registration numbers will help us to let Lexington Medical Center know how many people may need help with getting from your car to the building if you have to park farther away. Please plan to arrive early so you have time to get to the building before class starts. Click to…

Our April 20, 2025 Meeting Is An Open Forum Meeting Parkinson's (PD) patients newly diagnosed (5 years or less) will be seated with PD patients who have more than 5 years of PD experience. Any guest (care partner, family member, neighbor, etc.) will also be seated with their PD patient. Anyone who is only interested in learning about PD will be scattered among the tables. To help us match attendees of different years of PD experience, when you sign in at the door, you will be asked one of the following questions: Are you a PD patient diagnosed 5 years…

PLEASE NOTE: We are required to have name tags issued for everyone for this event – it is a security issue for SCETV – if your name is not on the pre-registration list, we will not be allowed to admit you. Thanks for helping us comply with this security requirement. If you need help registering, call (803) 335-4247 or email contact@columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org. Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group 2025 Annual Free Patient/Care Partner Symposium Pre-registration is required – absolute deadline to register is Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025 Time: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM – Attendee Sign-in opens at…

The presentation will be about Vyalev, the first and only subcutaneous levodopa-based therapy. Replaces all oral carbidopa/levodopa and COMT inhibitors Drug/device combo that gives 24-hour continuous delivery of carbidopa/levodopa Gives patients superior “on” time vs. oral medication No surgical procedure required Our speaker will be Christina Mayo. Christina Mayo is an Account Executive with Abbvie Neuroscience based in Greenville SC. She received her BS in Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina in 2010. Christina has been in the medical sales industry since 2010, specifically in the Parkinson’s Disease space since 2016. Contact: Christina N. Mayo, Parkinson’s Account Executive,…

Our support group historically does not meet in June, as the 3rd Sunday is Father’s Day. However, this year, our president, Karen Basso, has offered to be at our usual meeting location (Lexington Medical Park I Auditorium, 2728 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169) at 3 PM for anyone who might like to come and just talk with one another. This will not be structured, like our Open Forum meetings, it will simply be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to get together and talk about anything related to Parkinson’s Disease. We are very pleased to also let everyone know…

Our July 20, 2025 Meeting Is An Open Forum Meeting Parkinson's (PD) patients newly diagnosed (5 years or less) will be seated with PD patients who have more than 5 years of PD experience. Any guest (care partner, family member, neighbor, etc.) will also be seated with their PD patient. Anyone who is only interested in learning about PD will be scattered among the tables. To help us match attendees of different years of PD experience, when you sign in at the door, you will be asked one of the following questions: Are you a PD patient diagnosed 5 years…

Our main speaker for August 17, 2025 is Scott Cooke. Scott is the Communications and Public Information Director for the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) where he provides education on financial literacy topics and identity theft & scam prevention. Cooke joined SCDCA in October of 2021 as the agency’s Social Media and Web Strategist. He is an Emmy Award winner with more than 20 years of experience in broadcast journalism as a producer and newsroom manager. Cooke is a graduate from the University of South Carolina. Topic: Identity Theft and Scams: How to Stay Safe New scams are…

Panel Discussion: “In-Home Help/Residential Facilities” This is an opportunity to ask all of your questions about what type of additional help may be best for you as a Parkinson’s patient, and in conjunction with your care partner (if you have one), how to make the best decisions regarding home healthcare versus residential facilities, and understanding the various types of residential facilities available. Panelists: Ramona Britt and Valerie Koeppen, Assisted Living Locators of Greater Columbia. Ramona stepped into the role of Assisted Living Locators franchise owner to provide guidance and care to seniors and families in our community. As a longtime…

Speaker: Lisa Hostetler Brown, J.D., CELA* Managing Attorney *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney Lisa Hostetler Brown is the Managing Attorney of LawyerLisa, LLC. Her firm concentrates on the areas of estate planning, wills and trusts, real estate, contract review, special needs trusts, probate law and Life Care Planning. LawyerLisa's focus is to better serve her clients in an easy to understand and accessible manner. Keeping pace with the changing market, timely communication with clients and agents and thoughtful legal advice are the cornerstones of the firm. Under these principles, Lisa has been recognized for consecutive years as a Super…

Topic: Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound How do I know if I need DBS or Focused Ultrasound? How is DBS different from Focused Ultrasound? How to decide between DBS and Focused Ultrasound? What should I expect in a DBS/FUS evaluation? What is the screening process like? What is the surgery like? What are other non-surgical options? Speakers: Dr. Gonzalvo Revuelta, DO, MS, is Professor of Neurology, and SmartState Endowed Chair in Neurodegenerative Disorders at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Revuelta also directs the Murray Center for Research In Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders and is the Medical…

Kit Batina is a financial services professional specializing in long-term care planning and elder finances. She holds a Masters Degree in Health Services Management and Policy from George Washington University. She is a former nursing home administrator who helps advise people on how to save money on paying for long-term care expenses. Kit’s topic is “Long Term Care Planning – How Not To Go Broke”. Kit will discuss: The need for long term care services and the cost; The various options to pay for long term care; Examples of managing long term care costs as a couple vs. as a…

The Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group has a long tradition of welcoming everyone to our Holiday/Christmas Party instead of having a regular meeting in December. This year the event will be on December 21st, our normal meeting day, from 3 PM to 5 PM, in the Auditorium at Lexington Medical Park I, our normal meeting location. We will enjoy music and refreshments - cookies, warm apple cider, hot chocolate, bottled water, and candies. And we will have several door prizes to give away, so be sure you get a door prize ticket when you arrive! Bring your family and anyone else…