Events

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 popping up every day and identity theft is costly and time consuming. Learn the red flags of a scam and the FREE ways to protect your information. With these tools, you won’t end up giving over your hard-earned money or your private information. Contact: Scott Cooke, Communications Director SC Department of Consumer Affairs 293 Greystone Blvd., Suite 400 Columbia, SC 29210 Toll free (800).922-1594 or (803) 734-4296 (direct) – (803) 413-8167 (cell) Second brief speaker (approx.15 minutes): Jamie Scott, owner, Jamie Scott Fitness – update on the specially designed exercise and education program for Parkinson’s patients.

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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

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.