Columbia Parkinson's Support Group.

Meeting | Topics: 1) Regenerative Medicine - Speaker: Hari P. Cheedella, QC Kinetix 2) Acupuncture - Speaker: Melanie Andreen, The Acupuncture Clinic
2026-02-15 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, 29202, 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
2026-03-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, 29202, 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.

April - Parkinson's Awareness Month
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-30 | SC
Attached below is Governor McMaster’s proclamation:
Official Governor Proclamation – (PDF)

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
2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, 29202, 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 you encourage your family
members to attend this meeting, as it will help address any concerns and questions
regarding donation to the Brain Bank, and the important research being conducted to
benefit the Parkinson’s community in the future.
Our 3 speakers are: Steven Carroll, MD, PhD; Jennifer Belk, Donor Liaison; and
Brittany Ivey, PhD. Please see their biographies and further information:
Biographies – (click here)

Symposium - Saturday, May 2, 2026
2026-05-02 08:30 - 14:30 | SCETV – Murray Studio, 1041 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia, SC, 29201, 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 must have the names of every individual person attending.
Please DO NOT REGISTER IN ONE NAME FOR MULTIPLE PEOPLE. If we do not
have the name of every person who arrives on the day of the symposium, anyone
whose name is not on the pre-registration list will have to be turned away. This is a
security requirement of our venue.
Please register using the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985195164176?aff=oddtdtcreator
Below are photos and bios for each speaker:

Dr. John Morgan’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/John-Morgan-MD-PhD.pdf

Dr. Nathan Rowland’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Nathan-Rowland-MD-PhD.pdf

Dr. Myriam Sollman’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Myriam-J.-Sollman-PhD.pdf

PT. Will Harmon’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Will-Harmon-DPT.pdf

Chris Maynard’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Chris-Maynard.pdf

Pete Oliver’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pete-Oliver.pdf

Cindy Smith’s Bio: https://columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cindy-Smith-Chair-Yoga.pdf

Meeting | Topic: Veterans and Parkinson’s Disease | Speakers: Joy Kinney, MSR CCC-SLP & Nikki Allmann, Founder and President of Workout Warriors
2026-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, 29202, United States
Parkinson’s Disease as a “presumptive condition” for veterans, and why. Presumptive conditions are exempt from the standard proof requirements for service connection.
Support for veterans through community groups.

Our first and main speaker is 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 frequently discusses brain health during her treatment sessions.
Ms. Kinney is a member of the Board of Directors of the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, and also a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is fully licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in the states of South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. Ms. Kinney is a 2005 graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina with a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and a 2003 graduate of Columbia College of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Contact: Joy Kinney MSR CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist/Owner
Speech-Language Pathology Associates of South Carolina, LLC
3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 108
Columbia, SC 29204
www.slpassociatesofsc.com
Telephone: 803-766-4723
Fax: 803-761-985
Email: kinneyjh@slpassociatesofsc.com

Our second speaker is Nikki Allmann, Founder and President of Workout Warriors, where she provides holistic fitness and wellness programs for Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members, and First Responders with PTSD.
.Nikki Allmann is the visionary founder and President of the Workout Warriors Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military personnel, veterans, and first responders dealing post-traumatic stress, through holistic fitness and wellness programs. With an impressive 22-year career in the United States Air Force, include five combat deployments, Nikki has firsthand experiences of the unique physical and emotional challenges faced by those who serve.
After her retirement, Nikki pursued her passion for health and healing by earning a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness from the America Military University. She continued her professional development at the University of Health and Performance, where she gained advanced skills as a Wellness Professional. Nikki is also a Board-Certified Wellness coach, an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, and ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and a CrossFit Level 1 coach.
Through Workout Warriors Foundation, Nikki has built a supportive community dedicated to helping others find resilience and strength in mind, body, and spirit. Her mission is to provide a pathway to wellness and offer resources and guidance for those seeking balance, strength and healing.
Contact: Nikki Allman
Email: nikki.allmann@workout-warriors.org
Telephone: (318) 560-1659

Meeting | Topic: Depression and Apathy in Parkinson's patients and their care partners | Speaker: Dr. Phil Steude
2026-06-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, 29202, United States
Did you know there are at least five types of depression? Come to this meeting to find out how to recognize depression in your spouse, learn about new treatment approaches, learn what you can do at home, and how to be supportive in healthy ways.
Phil Steude M.D., with over 40 years as a board certified psychiatrist, will speak briefly on the subjects and then interact with you about specific concerns or questions you may have concerning depression in yourself or your loved one.
Doctor Steude has practiced in the Columbia area, being well-versed in traditional psychiatry, medication management, and a leader in transcranial magnetic stimulation. He has been interested in how medicines work, not just what seems to work and in his practice enjoyed psychotherapy, including a focus on how depression can affect one’s faith.
Currently retired, he has a strong interest in his grandchildren and in gardening.

Meeting | CPSG President Karen Basso Hosts Informal Discussion Time
2026-06-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, Lexington Medical Park 1 - Auditorium 2728 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169, Columbia, SC, 29202, United States
Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group – Meeting June 21, 2026
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.
As a reminder, our meetings are open to anyone with an interest in Parkinson’s Disease, and are always free to attend.
