Michigan Parkinson Foundation would like to welcome the following new Facilitators:

Alpena: Mark Beegle
Mark has earlier onset PD and has been fairly recently diagnosed. He attended the Walk-a-thon we held in Okemos last fall and pledged to do more. He is enthusiastic with the backing of an energetic family.

Port Huron: Kelly DiNardo, RN
Kelly is a nurse who works in the 55 Plus Program at Port Huron Hospital. She is actively involved in a number of community education programs, including other support groups.

Tri-City/Saginaw: Julie Schmidt, Social Worker
Julie works at Saginaw County Commission on Aging and has a tremendous background in working with groups. We are pleased to see such a dynamo on board.

Again, we thank the following people who have participated for so long as Facilitators:

Alpena: Georgene Anderson and Donna Precord (who will still remain active in the group). Both have been members for over 10 years.

Port Huron: Luann Kletner Black, MSW, who took over the group leadership in 2002. She heads several departments at Port Huron Hospital, now.

Tri-City/Saginaw: Joan Jackson, SW, who has been a facilitator and MPF Board Member (Support Group Liaison to the Board).

Chairman: Richard Merson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP,
Coordinator of Research and Special Projects, William Beaumont Hospital

Dr. Merson also holds a seat on the Michigan Parkinson Foundation Board of Directors as Chairman of the Prof

Chairman: Richard Merson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP,
Coordinator of Research and Special Projects, William Beaumont Hospital

Dr. Merson also holds a seat on the Michigan Parkinson Foundation Board of Directors as Chairman of the Professional Advisory Board

Brian Cooper, OTR
Brian is an Occupational Therapist with Residential Home Health and is certified in BIG LSVT Therapy. Formerly with St. John Hospital, he has actively participated in MPF’s Michigan Parkinson Initiative Multidisciplinary Clinics and has given presentations at MPI symposia. Brian has also been co-director of the 5K at the Eastside “I Gave My Sole to Parkinson’s Walk-a-thon and 5K Run.”

>Denise Van Etten, RN
Denise is the Nurse Clinician for Movement Disorders and General Neurology, Michigan State University, Department of Neurology. She is a graduate of Lansing Community College and Michigan State University and is certified in DBS programming. Denise has given numerous educational programs and has participated in MPI clinics and symposia.

Laura Zeitlin, LMSW
Laura is the Clinical Social Worker for the Movement Disorders Surgery Program at the University of Michigan Health System and the coordinator for outreach education. She holds degrees from Antioch College and University of Michigan and worked for many years in the HIV/AIDS area. Laura has been an active lecturer on a variety of topics both on a local and national level.

We wish to thank outgoing members for their dedication and committed service to the Professional Advisory Board: John Buday, MD; Rochelle Anixt Gold, MA, MSW, CSW, ACSW; and Linda Mondoux, RN, MS.

Brian Cooper, OTR
Brian is an Occupational Therapist with Residential Home Health and is certified in BIG LSVT Therapy. Formerly with St. John Hospital, he has actively participated in MPF’s Michigan Parkinson Initiative Multidisciplinary Clinics and has given presentations at MPI symposia. Brian has also been co-director of the 5K at the Eastside “I Gave My Sole to Parkinson’s Walk-a-thon and 5K Run.”

Denise Van Etten, RN
Denise is the Nurse Clinician for Movement Disorders and General Neurology, Michigan State University, Department of Neurology. She is a graduate of Lansing Community College and Michigan State University and is certified in DBS programming. Denise has given numerous educational programs and has participated in MPI clinics and symposia.

Laura Zeitlin, LMSW
Laura is the Clinical Social Worker for the Movement Disorders Surgery Program at the University of Michigan Health System and the coordinator for outreach education. She holds degrees from Antioch College and University of Michigan and worked for many years in the HIV/AIDS area. Laura has been an active lecturer on a variety of topics both on a local and national level.

We wish to thank outgoing members for their dedication and committed service to the Professional Advisory Board: John Buday, MD; Rochelle Anixt Gold, MA, MSW, CSW, ACSW; and Linda Mondoux, RN, MS.

At the Annual Meeting of the MPF Board of Directors, the following individuals were elected to Officer and New Member positions:

New Board Members

New Members

Jeff Appel, Esq.
Mr. Appel is an attorney in private practice, specialized in the field of federal administrative law, representing individuals seeking social security disability benefits. He is the chair of the Federal Bar Association Social Security Law Committee and a frequent lecturer to medical and legal groups on disability issues. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Emory University School of Law. Mr. Appel is well aware of the effects of Parkinson’s disease, having a relative who is diagnosed.

Linda Grap
Linda Grap is the director of Senior Health Partners, a nationally recognized community collaboration in Battle Creek. She has been a strong advocate for the Parkinson community in this city through her numerous contacts and affiliations. She was the Battle Creek project coordinator for the National Aging in Place Initiative, conducted with Partners for Livable Communities to develop blueprints creating “aging friendly” communities. Linda has received numerous awards from local and national associations for her service. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and holds a language certificate from the Alliance Francaise in Paris.

Amy Jackson
Amy Jackson has lived with Parkinson’s for over 19 years. Her husband, Thomas Jr., recently passed away, and Amy lovingly cared for him at home. They became active in the Detroit PD Support Group in 1995 and were facilitators from 1998 until 2009. They received MPF’s Ellen Otto Service Award in 2003. Amy has participated consistently in all of MPF’s programs and events and is well aware of the needs of those affected by PD. Since the beginning of MPF’s “Cabarets,” in 2004, she has been one of the sought-after stars. Amy’s background is varied and includes being in the entertainment industry, a storyteller, teacher

Blake Johnson
Blake Johnson is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Development for GTJ Consulting, LLC in St. Clair Shores and is a Founding Member and Board Member of GTJ Foundation, a charitable organization that has assisted local and national non-profit charities and established college scholarships. He graduated from Wayne State University, with a 4 year athletic scholarship and held leadership roles in academics as well as athletics. Blake has been very active in the community.

We wish to thank Ronald Sollish, Esq., and Robert Berlow, Esq. for their exceptional and dedicated services as Chairman and Secretary for the past few years and Carol Sewell, Esq. who has served on the Board for the past two years.

We thank Governor Rick Snyder, the State of Michigan, and all of the Mayors and City Councils who declared April as Parkinson's Awareness Month. The govenor's proclaimation can be viewed here.

Thanks also to Senator Debbie Stabenaw and others on the national level who obtained a declaration for Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in the Senate.

These proclamations mean so much to all of us. It brings attention to the struggle and successes that we face on a daily basis, giving credence to the need for support for all those people affected by this complicated disease.

Although Pre-registration is closed, Registration will close on May 10. You can still attend the walk/runs on May 14 and 15 with event day registration, which begins at 8:30 a.m. at both site.