Stanford PD Community Blog

Stanford Parkinson's Community
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Blog Home
  • Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
You are here: Home / Support Groups - Meetings & Notes / March 2017, Parkinson’s Support Groups – Guest Speakers or Programs, Northern and Central California

March 2017, Parkinson’s Support Groups – Guest Speakers or Programs, Northern and Central California

March 1, 2017 By Parkinson's Community Help

credit: mnd-bbww.org
credit: mnd-bbww.org

Some Northern and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support groups have guest speakers or programs planned for March 2017.  Here’s what’s happening at a support group near you…

Do you need to know the support group meeting location, day/time, contact info, and how to RSVP if required?  Please refer to the Stanford Parkinson’s website for all Northern and Central California support groups:

parkinsons.stanford.edu/support_groups.html

What does it mean if a support group you sometimes attend isn’t listed below?  It might mean that the group doesn’t have a guest speaker or specific program, the group doesn’t have its regular meeting this month, the group has a social event, or that the guest speaker info didn’tarrive from the group in time to be added here. Last but not least, it could mean that I messed up.  If you are not a regular attendee of a group, it’s always a good idea to call the group leader to confirm the meeting!  (See the link above for the group leader’s contact info.)

Enjoy the sunshine,
Robin Riddle
parkinsons.stanford.edu

**********************

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 3/1, 1-2:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Maria Bellumori, PhD, CSUMB, kinesiologist
Topic:  Speed training for PD
RSVP?:  No.

San Lorenzo (San Leandro)
Thursday, 3/2, 10-11:30am
Guest Speaker:  Ysela Jimenez, Alameda County Senior Injury Program
Topic:  Emergency preparedness
RSVP?:  No.

Half Moon Bay
Thursday, 3/2, 3-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Judy Pruzinsky
Topic:  Acupuncture and PD
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 3/3, 10am-noon (program starts about 10:20am)
Program:  Two discussion groups – PWP and caregivers
RSVP?:  No.

Visalia
Friday, 3/3, 10:30am-noon
Program:  Video on emotional health
RSVP?:  No.

Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 3/4, 1-3:15pm  (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Alisa Liguori, PhD
Topic:  Mindfulness practice with PD
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 3/8, 2-3:30pm
Guest Instructors:  Yue Whelchel, Palo Alto YMCA and Avenidas PD exercise instructor, and Leanel Liwanag, Stanford Balance Lab, PWR exercise instructor
Program:  Join a Parkinson’s and PWR (Parkinson Wellness Recovery) exercise class.  Chairs and water provided.
RSVP?:  No.

Stockton
Thursday, 3/9, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speakers:  Karen Fabreo-Hittle, PT, and Teresa Lohr, OT, O’Connor Woods, Stockton
Topic:  LSVT BIG physical therapy program
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)/UCSF
Thursday, 3/9, 6-8pm
Topic:  DBS, MRIs, and new FDA guidelines
RSVP?:  Preferred.  Email Monica Volz, monica.volz@ucsf.edu

Redding
Friday, 3/10, 1-3:30pm  (guest speaker 1:30-3pm)
Guest Speaker:  Stephanie Fiola, RN, AbbVie, and patient volunteer
Topic:  Duopa
RSVP?:  No.

Fresno
Saturday, 3/11, 10am-noon
Program:  Break into smaller discussion groups
RSVP?:  No.

Berkeley PD Active Forum
Saturday, 3/11, 10:30am-12:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Donna Deng, MD, neuro-urologist, Kaiser Oakland
Topic:  PD and the bladder that has a mind of its own
RSVP?:  Required.  Email PD Active, pdaforum@pdactive.org
Fee:  $10 donation

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 3/14, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Diane Grundy
Topic:  Medical cannibas
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto Young Onset PD
Tuesday, 3/14, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Elena Call, MD, movement disorders fellow, Stanford
Topic:  Overview of PD medications, what’s in the medication pipeline, and who makes a good DBS (deep brain stimulation) candidate
RSVP?:  Preferred, if this is your first time.  RSVP at least 24 hours in advance to Martha Gardner, group leader, mgapda@gmail.com.

Sunnyvale DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)
Wednesday, March 15, 1:30-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Theresa Najjar, PT, NCS, physical therapist
Topic:  Sleep and PD – helpful hints for sleeping
RSVP?:  No.

Brentwood
Wednesday, 3/15, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Dawn Fischer, holistic health coach
Topic:  Essential oils – what they are and how they can help
RSVP?:  No.

Merced
Thursday, 3/16, 10am-Noon
Program:  “Pain and Fatigue” – webinar recording from Michael J. Fox Foundation
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento/Arden Arcade
Thursday, 3/16, 10am-Noon
Guest Speaker:  Christy Adams, RN, trauma prevention coordinator, UC Davis
Topic:  Matter of balance
RSVP?:  No.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 3/18, 9am-noon  (speakers 10:30-11:45am)
Program #1 (10:30-10:45am):  Presentation by Rock Steady Boxing Concord
Guest Speaker #2 (10:45-11:45am):  Maya Katz, MD, UCSF Movement Disorders
Topic #2:  Multidisciplinary supportive care clinics – improving quality of life for people with Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento Post-DBS Class/Kaiser
Monday, 3/20, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Karen Low, speech therapist, Kaiser Point West, Sacramento
Topic:  Speech issues
RSVP?:  Yes, required.  Call Kaiser Neuroscience Reception Desk, 916-973-6860.

Auburn
Tuesday, 3/21, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Helen Garvy, PD advocate and care partner
Topic:  Cannabis (marijuana) and Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 3/24, 1-3pm  (speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Maya Katz, MD, and Nieve Lopez, UCSF
Topic:  Parkinson’s supportive care clinic at UCSF
RSVP?:  No.

Fremont
Monday, 3/27, 7-9:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Karen Marshall, Community Resources for Independent Living
RSVP?:  No.

If you know of a PD support group meeting with a guest speaker, please pass the info along!

Finally….if you copy this guest speaker information elsewhere, please give credit to:  Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach Program.  Credit is always appreciated 🙂

Filed Under: Support Groups - Meetings & Notes

Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach provides vital resources and support to individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), caregivers, family members, and friends. We curate a comprehensive list of PD-related webinars and virtual meetings, sharing insightful summaries through our blog and dedicated email lists. Whether you seek online support groups, educational webinars, or access to helpful blogs and podcasts, we are here to empower you with the knowledge and connection you need on your Parkinson’s journey.

  • Blog Home
  • Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach

Categories

  • Monthly List – PD Webinars
  • Seminarios web sobre la EP en español
  • Webinars – Announcements & Notes
  • Local Support Groups – Announcements & Notes
  • Events
  • News
  • Research
  • Exercise

Top Pages of the Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach Website

  • List of Live, Virtual PD Exercise Classes
  • List of PD Exercise Videos
  • Symptoms of PD
  • For Those Newly Diagnosed
  • Support Resources for PD

Featured Posts

Tips for Holidays at Home

The holiday season can feel overwhelming — whether shopping, hosting, decorating, or managing meals. … [Read More...]

Tips for Traveling with PD This Holiday Season

Parkinson’s can make travel challenging, as can winter weather. No matter how far you're traveling … [Read More...]

“The Gut-Brain in Parkinson’s Disease,” Seminar, January 10, 2026, at Stanford or Virtual – Register now

The Stanford Medicine Poston Research Laboratory is co-hosting a seminar for Individuals living with … [Read More...]

About

© 2025 Stanford PD Community Blog

 

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Archive