• Meeting |Panel Discussion: “In-Home Help/Residential Facilities” | Panelists:Ramona Britt, Valerie Koeppen, Mike Brown, Holly & David Condon

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

    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 resident of Columbia, Ramona is an expert on senior care options in our area. Together with clients and their families, they strive to deliver high quality, compassionate service and help families manage the transitions they are facing. Valerie joined Assisted Living Locators as a senior living advisor. After previously working as a licensed mental health counselor, she now helps families navigate through the maze of senior living options. Valerie excels at advocating and helping families through what can be a confusing process. Mike Brown, Vice President of Operations, Right at Home. Mike joined the Right at Home team in 2013 […]

  • Special Free Estate Planning Seminar (Lunch Provided) | Speaker: Lisa Hostetler Brown, J.D., CELA*

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

    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 Lawyer Rising Star in addition to Legal Elite of the Midlands. About LawyerLisa, LLC: Serving the entire state of South Carolina from locations in Northeast Columbia, Lexington,and the Upstate, LawyerLisa, LLC (LawyerLisa) focuses on elder law, estate planning, wills, trusts, health care directives, powers of attorney, asset titling, special needs trusts, Life Care Planning, and more; delivering comprehensive planning with a personalized approach. During her presentation on October 15th, Lisa will cover the following key areas: • The earlier someone plans after a diagnosis, the more options they have down the road • Everyone should have a durable financial power […]

  • VIRTUAL Meeting | Topic: Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound | Speakers: Dr. Gonzalvo Revuelta, DO, MS and Dr. Nathan C. Rowland, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS

    Online Meeting

    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 Director of the Deep Brain Stimulation Program. His NIH funded research program focuses on the development of invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation interventions for Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. He has a DO in medicine from the School of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed a residency in neurology at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and a fellowship in movement disorders at Emory University in Atlanta. His primary research focus is the development of neuromodulation therapies for freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dr. Nathan C. Rowland, […]

  • Meeting | Topic: Long Term Care Planning – How Not To Go Broke | Speaker: Kit Batina

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

    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 single. And take your questions. Contact: Email: kbatina24@gmail.com Telephone: (650) 226-6094

  • Holiday/Christmas Party

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

    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 who supports and helps you, or who has an interest in Parkinsons Disease. We have invited our symposium sponsors, as well. This is a great time to socialize, meet others who are dealing with PD, and just enjoy being together.

  • Meeting | Topics: 1) Regenerative Medicine – Speaker: Hari P. Cheedella, QC Kinetix 2) Acupuncture – Speaker: Melanie Andreen, The Acupuncture Clinic

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

    Two speakers will talk about their own topics for this event. Hari P. Cheedella will discuss regenerative medicine. Followed by Melanie Andreen, who will introduce The Acupuncture Clinic. Each speaker will get time for questions after their speeches. Topics for Regenerative Medicine: Regenerative medicine background; How QC Kinetix helped many with Regenerative medicine for both Orthopedic conditions and Arthritis conditions; Latest trends in Regenerative Medicine for Neurodegenerative Disease; Role of Nutrition for Parkinson’s disease. See Hari P. Cheedella's biography below: Biography (click here) Topics for Acupuncture: What is acupuncture?; Benefits of acupuncture for patients with Parkinson; What can I expect at my first visit? See Melanie Andreen's biography and photo below below: Biography (click here) Photo (click here)  

  • Meeting | Topic: Central Midlands AAA (Area Agency on Aging) – How They Help The Community | Speaker: Shelia Bell-Ford, AAA Director

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

    The presentation will explain the services offered through the various programs at Central Midlands AAA and better understand who we are and what we do. The Presentation will cover: Assessment; Consumer Choice; Family Caregiver Support; Information and Referral Program; SHIP (Medicare); Legal Services; Long-Term Care Ombudsman Please click here to see Shelia Bell-Ford's biography.

  • Meeting | Topic: Brain Bank – the South Carolina-Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (SC-ADRC) | Speakers: Steven Carroll, MD, PhD; Jennifer Belk, Donor Liaison; and Brittany Ivey, PhD

    Columbia Parkinson's Support Group  Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, United States

      Rescheduled from January, 2026 Would you like to help further research into Parkinson’s Disease and potentially help find new treatments – or possibly – eventually - a cure? We understand that this might be a difficult topic for some people. Some of us might be squeamish about thinking of donating our brains for scientific research. Please come to this meeting and get your questions answered so that you understand how important this research is – and the decision-making process, as well as what happens if you decide to help in this important research. The presentation will also cover some of the research into Alzheimer’s Disease that the SC-ADRC is conducting. The April 19, 2026 meeting will be a very robust and important program from the Brain Bank – the South Carolina-Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (SC-ADRC), which is a joint effort between MUSC, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. We are very fortunate to have 3 speakers who will explain the program as it relates to research into Parkinson’s Disease and how individuals and families are able to significantly support this research, ultimately assisting in determining new treatments for Parkinson’s Disease. The Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group suggests that […]

  • Symposium – Saturday, May 2, 2026

    SCETV – Murray Studio 1041 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia, SC, United States

    2026 Patient/Care Partner Symposium Presented by Medtronic - Registration is Open! The Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group is excited to announce that our 2026 FREE Patient/Care Partner Symposium is open for registration! Thank you to Medtronic as our Platinum Presenting Sponsor – without our sponsors, we could not provide this symposium free to attendees. Additional sponsors will be listed on our website shortly. Come ask your questions about Parkinson’s Disease - we will have 7 speakers on the panel – bios and photos can be found below. Dr. John Morgan, movement disorders specialist neurologist, Augusta University Dr. Nathan Rowland, neurosurgeon, MUSC Health Dr, Myriam Sollman, neuropsychologist, Prisma Health Neurosurgery Will Harmon, DPT, Trek Physical Therapy Chris Maynard, person with Parkinson’s Pete Oliver, person with Parkinson’s Cindy Smith, chair yoga instructor and physical therapy assistant Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 Location: SCETV – Murray Studio 1041 George Rogers Blvd. Columbia, SC 29201 Valet Parking is available Time: Check-in opens at 8:30 AM with time to visit sponsors – Breakfast available – Program starts at 9:30 AM and concludes at 2:30 PM – Lunch break 11:30 to 12:30, time to visit sponsors – full agenda in the link to register VERY IMPORTANT: We […]