It’s Springtime in North Florida! Perfect for Gardening!!

 

Randy recently informed me of a new Yahoo! Group that is for people who love to garden but may have some physical limitations. The group offers many tips for those who may have physical limitations. So if you are interested click the link below, sign up for the group and enjoy the Spring!!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/limitedgardeners/

National Parkinson Foundation ANNOUNCES its new President and CEO

NPF NAMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO 

Miami, Florida, March 19, 2008—The Board of Directors of the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) announced today that Joyce A. Oberdorf has been named President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1. Ms. Oberdorf was most recently Vice President, Policy, Planning and Communications at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research. 

“Ms. Oberdorf is an outstanding choice to help NPF accomplish its strategic goal of remaking the organization to build on our strengths and have an even greater impact on the lives of Parkinson’s patients,” said Paul Oreffice, Chairman of the Board.  

“I look forward to working with Mr. Oreffice, Nat Slewett, Chairman Emeritus and Dr. Bernard Fogel, Dean Emeritus of the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at 

University of Miami, the Board and team at NPF to build on NPF’s strengths, which include its proud history, reach, heightened focus on improving patient care in a holistic fashion, and a demonstrated commitment to change,” Joyce Oberdorf stated.  “Together we will build on the changes already in place to create a new future, focusing on those areas where our mission is most compelling and our impact, the greatest.  In addition, we hope to, by example, increase cooperation, coordination and collaboration with our peers and friends in the Parkinson community. In this way, we aim to create a model for improving the clinical microsystem that serves this and future generations of Parkinson’s patients in the U.S. and around the world.” 

Dr. Fogel, who chaired the search committee said that “Ms. Oberdorf is a proven leader and manager. She has demonstrated a unique ability to develop and set forth a strategic vision.  She has an excellent understanding of the complex issues surrounding Parkinson’s disease, and is highly respected in the community as an individual who truly appreciates the needs and concerns of patients.   Ms. Oberdorf will bring both experience and a fresh perspective to NPF and we look forward to working with her to create and sustain NPF’s future as a best-in-breed nonprofit dedicated to serving Parkinson’s disease patients.” 

At the Michael J Fox Foundation, Ms. Oberdorf worked with the Board and the senior management team to lead strategic task forces on research directions, fundraising and board governance issues. In addition, she was responsible for developing public policy positions, serving as liaison to the Parkinson’s community, and overseeing marketing and communications for the Foundation.   

Before joining the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Ms. Oberdorf was Vice President, Corporate Public Relations at Aetna Inc.  Among her accomplishments at Aetna was helping develop a strategic model of consumer-centric health care for the future.  Before that, she held a variety of positions in banking and financial services for Lehman Brothers, Chemical Bank and Merrill Lynch and in financial public relations for Burson Marsteller. Ms. Oberdorf holds an A.B. degree from Rutgers University, cum laude, and an M.A. degree from Northern Illinois University.  

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Miami, Fla., NPF has invested over $150 million in fulfillment of its mission to provide care, education, and support services for persons whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s disease.  Currently, NPF’s programs include a network of 58 institutions worldwide that have achieved designation as NPF Centers of Excellence, Care Centers and Outreach Centers, and 46 affiliated Chapters. Additionally, NPF’s signature programs include the Young Onset Parkinson Network Conference, the Community Partners for Parkinson Care outreach initiative, and Allied Team Training for Parkinson (ATTP).  ATTP is a unique interdisciplinary training program which has trained more than 750 health care professionals in the assessment and treatment of Parkinson disease. 

Ms. Oberdorf has emphasized to the Foundation that her focus will be to build on the strengths of those programs through meaningful findings and documented results.  The goal will be to create a model of integrated care for an aging population with a degenerative disease and to produce standards by which those efforts can be measured. 

The Long Awaited NFPAG Choir Music Video!

The following video is NFPAG’s own choir singing an original composition, Reaching For The Sky by NFPAG members  Steve Sandler and Olivia Swedberg.  The video is just below, the lyrics for the song are posted just below the video. 

Just click the play button and enjoy!!

Reaching For The Sky  

By Steve Sandler & Olivia Swedberg

We’ve come to sing for you, we could have stayed at home

Sitting in our easy chairs, silent and alone

If we could dance we would, hey maybe we should try

Though we’re slow and shaky we’re all reaching for the sky

Though we’re slow and shaky we’re all reaching for the sky

Though our faces show no smiles we are all smiling from within

Smiling as we softly croon the melodies we spin

We’ll sing our songs the best we can, we’re glad you came to hear

Our simple tunes and harmonies help us speak loud and clear

We’ve come to sing for you, we could have stayed at home

Sitting in our easy chairs, silent and alone

If we could dance we would, hey maybe we should try

Though we’re slow and shaky we’re all reaching for the sky

Though we’re slow and shaky we’re all reaching for the sky

Some Sad News

Gary was a member of NFPAG and will be sorely missed.

reprinted from the Tallahassee Democrat 

Gary William Davidson, 62, died Thursday, November 1, 2007, at home surrounded by his loved ones after a long and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy. He battled his disease with dignity and humor. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 4, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Quincy. Family will receive friends after the service. Charles McClellan Funeral Home in Quincy is handling the arrangements (850-627-7677). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Florida Parkinson Awareness Group Inc., P.O. Box 14722, Tallahassee, FL 32308, to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, or to a favorite charity. Born in Honesdale, Pa., on March 28, 1945, Gary, at an early age, moved with his family to Orlando. He graduated from Boone High School and received a business degree from Florida State University. His life work was spent in the automobile industry. He is survived by his loving wife, Beth Davidson; his son, Fletcher Davidson (and wife Alisa) of Tampa; and his daughter, Anne Davidson of Tallahassee. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters.
Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 11/3/2007.

Volunteers Needed

A message from Monica Hubmann: 

Dr. Peggy Pope who teaches at the Physical Therapy program at FAMU has asked for a couple of clients with PD who are willing to volunteer to work with some of her PT students. They are looking specifically for persons who have difficulties with gait (shuffling or shortened step length).

 If you are interested, you may contact her by email :  mary.popegrattan@famu.edu

Thanks!!