Serving NC and SC
Set this as my local chapterParkinson’s Foundation Carolinas makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by improving care and advancing research towards a cure. Whether you are newly diagnosed with PD or have been managing it for years, are a care partner, family member or friend of someone with PD, we are here to help you.
We are leaders in ensuring expert Parkinson’s care, educating and empowering the Parkinson’s community and driving the understanding of Parkinson’s through research. As a national organization with local presence and impact, we bring help and hope to the estimated one million people in the U.S., 10 million worldwide, who are living with Parkinson’s.
Your support of the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas Chapter makes a big impact on the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) right here in your community, as well as across the country and around the world!
Read more about our chapter's impact
Thanks to supporters like you, we are able to provide free resources and advance research toward a cure.
Find Expert Care
Access to care professionals, medications and services
Parkinson’s Foundation Global Care Network creates more opportunities for people with PD to access high-quality care.
Hospital Safety Guide
Advocate for your best care
The Hospital Safety Guide contains useful tools and information to help a person with Parkinson’s during their next planned or unplanned hospital visit.
Helpline
The Helpline answers more than 20,000 calls a year
Call our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) to find your nearest PD specialist or local resources and get answers to your PD and caregiving questions.
PD Library
We are your trusted ally for information at every stage
We offer resources including videos, podcasts, webinars and other opportunities to learn about the many aspects of living well with PD.
Progress towards new medicines, better therapies and eventually a cure relies, almost exclusively, on innovative, high-quality research.
The Parkinson’s Foundation Community Grants program supports programs that further the health, wellness and education of the Parkinson’s community. We help people with Parkinson’s live better lives, today.
Every year, we award local grants to community programs. Parkinson's Foundation Community Grants are made possible through the support of donors. Check for programs funded in your area.
984-364-2030
Carolinas@Parkinson.org
Parkinson’s Foundation
ATTN: Carolinas
5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310
Miami, FL 33126
Our Chapter Board ensures our impact is community-based and community-led.
Mike Brown (Columbia, SC)
President
Mike currently is Vice President of Operations for Right at Home in Columbia, SC. Although he does not have a direct connection to Parkinson’s as a family member or care partner, he has a strong connection to the community and has worked extensively with local organizations as a volunteer and in the capacity of a board member. He served for six years as a board member of the Columbia Parkinson’s support group and worked on the steering committee for the local PD symposium and annual gala.
Mike likes to spend his free time with his wife, Emilie, and three children, ElIaree, Zack, and Mia. He enjoys working on and converting VW buses into mobile bars (Yes, with beer taps on the side of them!)
Kim Gamble (Charlotte, NC)
Vice President / Mission Outreach Chair
Kim's role as a Movement Disorder Center Coordinator spans over 20 years and three healthcare systems. She serves as the one point of contact for patients, staff, physicians, and the PD community. Her purpose is to be a resource and connect individuals with the resources needed on the journey of living with PD.
Kim's passion is to spotlight diversity and inclusion in the PD community. Knowing PD is not an exclusive diagnosis she works to educate underserved communities, provide resources, and connect them to others who look like them and share their experience. Her goal is to remove barriers, educate patients and families, and empower them to live their BEST lives with PD.
Michael (Mike) Horak (Asheville, NC)
Fund Development Chair
Mike is Senior Associate Director of Philanthropy of the The Nature Conservancy where he has worked for 20 years. “I understand fundraising and what motivates people to give to non-profits. As a fundraiser, I have a lot of connections to and experience working with people of wealth in the Carolinas. I also live in Western NC, traditionally an underserved area for health care services, including Parkinson’s.” He was diagnosed with early-onset PD in 2013 at age 48 and his 80-year-old father has had PD for 15 years, so Mike has a keen interest in genetics research.
Logan Banks (Akin, SC)
Mission Outreach Chair
Logan has nearly 40 years of family history in the senior living industry, giving him extensive local business connections. He is the president of the CSRA Parkinson’s Support Group, a 34-year-old nonprofit serving the greater Augusta-Aiken PD community. Within the Chamber of Commerce, he is vice-chair of the Ambassador Committee and Leadership Columbia County Program and will become chair in 2025. Logan also serves on the board of Day-One Fitness, a nonprofit gym for those with movement and memory disorders in Beach Island, SC.
Logan's passion for the Parkinson’s community began at Brandon Wilde, where he learned from a local couple about the challenges faced by those with Parkinson’s and the importance of education, research, early detection, and awareness.
David Williams (Raleigh, NC)
Fund Development Committee
David Williams is a passionate Parkinson’s advocate, community leader, and endurance athlete dedicated to inspiring others living with Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed with tremor-dominant Parkinson’s on April 16, 2025, David chose to face his diagnosis with resilience and determination, focusing on movement, mindset, faith, and community. After losing 108 pounds and completing his first marathon at age 56, David continues to challenge himself by training for the Augusta Ironman 70.3 while encouraging others to stay active and live with purpose.
David has raised more than $10,000 for Moving Day, became a Parkinson’s Champion in 2025, and actively supports Parkinson’s Foundation outreach efforts. Through advocacy, personal storytelling, and community engagement, David works to reduce isolation, increase awareness, and empower individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s
Jennifer Lane Emery (Raleigh, NC)
Mission Outreach Committee
Jennifer Lane Emery has over 25 years of experience in healthcare and education. She has led the creation of an oncology care model for rural hospitals, managed a private practice, and coordinated a multimillion-dollar federal grant for underserved populations. Jennifer owns Aspire Therapy LLC in Kansas City, MO/Raleigh, NC.
With an MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from UNC Chapel Hill and graduate coursework in Therapeutic Sciences from the University of Kansas Medical Center, she has extensive clinical experience across various settings. She is a 2023 graduate of Duke University's Leadership in Health and Well-Being program.
Jen has been active in state association committees and public speaking for advocacy. She is the former ASHA Committee Ambassador for Speech-Language Pathology for Missouri. Her clinical and research interests focus on integrative medicine in rehabilitation, particularly for Parkinson’s Disease. She is also a certified group exercise and RYT-200 yoga instructor.
In her free time, Jen advocates for cancer treatment innovations at two NCI-designated centers, and enjoys running, yoga, and practical jokes with her family. Well-known to the Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation, she brings energy, personal commitment (her mother has Parkinson’s Disease), and extensive healthcare experience.
Nick Everetts (Florence, SC)
Mission Outreach Committee
Nick Everetts, originally from Medina, Ohio, graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in psychology and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Florida, where he met his wife. They chose to settle in Florence, midway between Florida and Ohio. Since February 2020, Nick has worked as a physical therapist at MUSC Florence, primarily in the outpatient division.
His first experience with Parkinson’s was during his second internship in Phoenix, where he worked with an LSVT-certified clinician. After becoming LSVT-certified himself, Nick helped develop the Parkinson’s program at MUSC Florence. He has lectured at a local senior center, delivered a Facebook Live talk on Parkinson’s, and led the development of MUSC’s Parkinson’s support group in Florence.
Nick aims to provide resources and information to those with Parkinson’s Disease, helping them feel more confident in managing their condition. He is excited and humbled to work with the Carolinas Chapter to further support those with Parkinson’s Disease.
Gary Krajewski (Apex, NC)
Mission Outreach Committee
Gary Krajewski is a Parkinson’s advocate, community leader, and creative storyteller dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those affected by Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed with Parkinsonism in 2018 and living with lifelong mobility challenges from childhood polio, Gary understands the importance of resilience, connection, and finding meaningful ways to navigate life with movement challenges. He uses creativity, art, and music as powerful tools for expression, therapy, and community building.
Gary is the founder of PD Art & Music Night in partnership with Duke Health’s Move More program and serves as a Parkinson’s Disease Ambassador. With a background in marketing, economics, ministry, and digital communications, he brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, compassion, and creativity to his advocacy work. Through his leadership, Gary hopes to expand awareness, support ambassadors and caregivers, and strengthen engagement within the Parkinson’s community.
Mimi deGrandpre (Raleigh, NC)
Mission Outreach Committee
Mimi deGrandpre is a strategic planning and execution advisor with a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease. Her connection to Parkinson’s is personal, as her mother lives with the disease and Mimi serves as her primary advocate and caregiver. This experience has shaped her passion for improving access to care, expanding education, and strengthening community support for those navigating life with Parkinson’s.
With a background as a senior leader at Cisco and Electronic Arts, Mimi brings expertise in strategic planning, governance, operational execution, and organizational growth. As a mother and caregiver, she leads with empathy, resilience, and a mission-driven perspective. Mimi is passionate about using her professional experience and personal insights to help advance the Parkinson’s Foundation’s impact in education, advocacy, and support for the Parkinson’s community.
Cheryl Keller (Charleston, SC)
Fund Development Committee
Cheryl Keller is a passionate Parkinson’s advocate and caregiver champion dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s disease. Her connection to the Parkinson’s community is deeply personal, as she cared for her late husband, Kurt Keller, who passed away in 2022 from early-onset Parkinson’s disease and dementia at age 58. Through her caregiving journey, Cheryl gained firsthand insight into the challenges families face and developed a strong commitment to providing support, resources, and connection for others.
Cheryl brings valuable experience in grassroots fundraising, event coordination, and community engagement. She co-hosts the Parkinson’s Charleston Classic golf tournament, which has raised more than $35,000 for the Parkinson’s Foundation, and serves as Secretary for the Palmetto Garden Club of Mount Pleasant. Cheryl is passionate about using her lived experience and fundraising expertise to advocate for caregivers and help advance the Parkinson’s Foundation’s mission throughout the Carolinas.
Mandez Foy (Fayetteville, NC)
Mission Outreach Committee
Mandez Foy is a Parkinson’s advocate, fitness leader, and community champion dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. His journey with the Parkinson’s community began through the Rock Steady Boxing program, where he witnessed the strength, resilience, and determination of those navigating life with Parkinson’s. What started as a professional connection quickly became a personal mission to support a community seeking connection, hope, and improved quality of life.
As the Fitness and Aerobic Manager at Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex and Head Coach of the HealthPlex Rock Steady Boxing Program, Mandez brings more than 15 years of experience in fitness, coaching, and community engagement. Through movement-based programming, he helps individuals with Parkinson’s build strength, confidence, and connection. Mandez is passionate about advocating for accessible movement programs and expanding support for the Parkinson’s community throughout the Carolinas.