Movement Disorders

Patient & Family Support Services and Resources

As a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, we excel at helping PD patients and their family members navigate community resources that may assist in improving their quality of life. We provide a free, quarterly "Living Well with Parkinson's" newsletter to keep patients up to date with our latest research and clinical developments, and to make them aware of helpful community events and resources.

Our patient advocacy partner, the Parkinson's Foundation, also provides our center with a wide array of educational materials for distribution to our patients. A variety of regularly scheduled support groups (patient and care partner), lectures, and events are also available for patients and their care partners. These events can be found on the Movement Disorders Calendar.

Social Services

Patients who visit our center may also benefit from the social services offered by our licensed clinical social worker, who is available to meet with patients and families after appointments or at a separate time to provide support, referrals, and guidance on the following:

  • Navigating health care systems
  • Home health services
  • Questions regarding disability
  • Referral for legal services
  • Connection to community resources
  • Late stage planning including understanding advanced directives and guidance in placement process
  • Supportive counseling

Support Groups, Meetings, and Events for Patients and Caregivers 

Parkinson's Pals - Columbia Chapter

Calling all PD patients! Join our community and meet fellow students

  • Weekly meetings with a CU student buddy through zoom, in-person meeting, or phone call
  • Group bonding activities with other
  • PD patients Raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease

Our Mission: create long-term friendships in the Parkinson’s community and raise awareness of PD amongst the CU community

Sign up by phone: 650-842-0706 or email: ac4285@columbia.edu

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Informational Sessions

Open to those who are looking for more information about DBS surgery for Parkinson’s disease, Tremor, or Dystonia. Presentation will include overview of symptoms necessitating referral to DBS and DBS surgery process. We will also have Q&A with neurosurgery, neurologists, and patients who have undergone DBS surgery.
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM
Date: The first Friday of each month

Columbia University Irving Medical Center VIRTUAL MEETING via ZOOM. Register in advance for any of the upcoming meetings. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Meeting facilitated by Kimberly Kwei, MD, PhD (neurologist) and Kristen Matulis, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C (nurse practitioner).

For additional information and to register please contact Kristen Matulis at klm2257@cumc.columbia.edu.

Speech for PD

Speech for PD is a university- and community-based speech program for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. Founded in 2019 by its director, Dr. Gemma Moya-Galé, we offer free, online group classes to foster communication and social participation in PD. Our work has been funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation.
When and How? Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM
All classes are free & over Zoom Come join us!

Values: Speech for PD is an inclusive and diverse community. We work to empower people with PD and raise awareness about the importance of social connectedness.

Goals: Our main goal is to improve quality of life. We welcome everybody with PD seeking to strengthen their voice and/or improve different aspects of communication while connecting with others in a safe, dynamic, and respectful space.
For more information, please contact:
Gemma Moya-Galé, PhD,CCC-SLP, Teachers College, Columbia University
Phone: 212-678-3323
Email: gm2446@tc.columbia.edu

Download flyer

Movement and Music: Virtual Concerts

Columbia University's Movement Disorders Division, in partnership with Project: Music Heals Us (PMHU) and Manhattan School of Music (MSM) will be offering interactive ZOOM concertseach month to movement disorders patients.

For more information, please click here.

The Art of Caregiving

CUIMC Parkinson's Care Partner Support Group
Helping care for the care partners! During every turn and challenge in your journey as a Parkinson’s care partner, knowing that you are not alone is important.

Join us!

This group is designed to develop helpful tools and coping skills for care partners with a focus on sharing lived experiences, therapeutic strategies such as mindfulness, and supportive open discussions.

Meeting facilitated by: Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI

WHEN: First Wednesday of every month from 2:00 - 3:30 PM EST

WHERE: VIRTUAL GROUP VIA ZOOM (please email Erika to receive ZOOM invite)

For additional information and to register please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu.
Registration is required

CUIMC Parkinson's Support Group

During every transition and challenge in your journey of living with Parkinson’s disease, knowing that you are not alone is important. Join us! Providing educational information and support to individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their families.

Meeting facilitated by Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI

When: Third Tuesday of every month, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Where: Virtual ZOOM meeting

For information and to register, please reach out to Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI at 929-695-0282 or via email at era2142@cumc.columbia.edu.

Meetings will be held via ZOOM. Please register to receive the ZOOM meeting link, ID, and password.

Registration is required

Resources

Parkinson’s Disease Video Resources:

  • Parkinson's Foundation Black History Month special podcast featuring Hiral Shah, MD. [listen to the podcast] Note: conversation with Dr. Shah starts at 10:00
  • Hiral Shah, MD talks about living with a complex chronic health conditions caused by Parkinson's disease in the following interviews conducted by HealthiNation/GoodRx:
    • Recognizing Parkinson’s Symptoms Early: What Black Americans Should Know [watch video]
    • Living with Parkinson's Disease: the Importance of Staying Connected with Loved Ones [watch video]
    • 6 Myths About Parkinson’s Disease, According to a Neurologist [watch video]
    • How Does Parkinson’s Disease Affect Black Americans Differently? [watch video]
  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD) workshop videos

    How to Live and Thrive with Parkinson’s Disease
    Culturally Sensitive Skills-Training Workshop 

    This was a three-part workshop designed for people with PD, their caregivers, allied health professionals, and others interested in learning more about PD. 

    Day 1: Learn about the journey of PD.

    What is PD? What are the motor symptoms of PD and how do we address them? In this session hear from neurologist Dr. Hiral Shah, community partner Anita Parker, speech therapist Dr. Michelle Troche, occupational therapist Dr. Katrina Long, and caregivers on facing and overcoming the challenges of PD. [watch video]

    Day 2: Take a deeper dive into the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD.

    Learn about the benefits of physical therapy and exercise from Dr. Lori Quinn and common medications from Dr. Hiral Shah. Listen to Mr. Kermit Smith’s powerful story about how he lives and thrives with PD. Gain insights on neuropsychology evaluations from Dr. Stephanie Assuras, the role of palliative care from Dr. Benzi Kluger, and nutritional information from Shoshana Genack. Finally, learn caregiving organizations and empowerment skills from Ms. Angela Picardo, a caregiver activist. [watch video]

    Day 3: Understand the components of holistic care for PD. 

    Hear from social worker, Elizabeth Delaney and NYS healthcare navigator, Macia Deer on overcoming insurance obstacles and obtaining the proper resources. We close the workshop with an open conversation between people with PD and their caregivers and answer questions. [watch video]