Serving OH and MI
Set this as my local chapterParkinson’s Foundation Great Lakes 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 Great Lakes 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.
440-568-0093
GreatLakes@Parkinson.org
Parkinson’s Foundation
ATTN: Great Lakes
5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310
Miami, FL 33126
Our Chapter Board ensures our impact is community based and community lead.
Breck Jordan – President
Breck Jordan has been volunteering with the Parkinson's Foundation for over a decade. After her father, Ronnie, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011, Breck found great comfort and fulfillment in becoming involved in fundraising and education with the Foundation. She has been an Aware in Care ambassador since 2020. She has been the chairperson of Moving Day Dayton since 2019. In her leisure time, you can find her cooking, gardening and spending time with family & friends (including her two cats, Boris and Leroy).
Pam Dirk – Co-President
Pam started her Parkinson’s journey when her cousin was diagnosed. Her family advocated to bring Moving Day to Cleveland and has been involved for over 10 years. In those years, 3 more family members have been diagnosed. Raising awareness, supporting caregivers and genetic testing are important to Pam. She enjoys connecting with people through education events where she shares the latest resources.
Dan DeWitt – Chair, Mission and Outreach
Dan has m
ostly retired from his career as a licensed psychologist. His wife, Ginny, recently joined him in retirement, allowing them to spend more time focusing on their health, their kids and grandkids, volunteer activities, and travel adventures.
When Dan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, he sought to learn about his newly acquired condition and looked for opportunities to help himself and others with the disease to maintain a high quality of life. H began a support group, Team Spark. He became involved with the Parkinson Foundation as a Research Associate and as a member of their patient Advisory Committee.
Staci Headings – Chair, Fund Development
Staci spent five years working in senior living, serving residents living with Parkinson’s disease—a cause that remains close to her heart, as several family members are also affected. Now back in hospitality, she continues to find ways to serve others with care and purpose. Outside of work, Staci enjoys gardening, traveling, and saying yes to new experiences. She’s single, proud of her grown son, and recently welcomed a rescued dog into her life.
Dr. Reversa Joseph, MD – Advisory Board Member
Dr. Reversa Joseph is a Board-Certified Neurologist specializing in Movement Disorders. She received her Bachelor of Arts at Columbia University, Medical Degree at Georgetown University and completed her Neurology Residency training at Yale University. She pursued fellowship training in Movement Disorders with focus in Deep Brain Stimulation at Georgetown University. Dr. Joseph has also completed a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at the National Institutes of Health. She serves as the Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA and as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Dan Shotwell- Board Development Chair
I am a retired Restaurant Operations Director as well as Owner Operator— As a Person with Parkinson’s, I strive daily to improve the lives of those affected by and living with Parkinson’s. I enjoy exploring and hiking the National Parks with my family, especially my four wonderful Grandchildren.
Tonia Smith - Board Member
Tonia Smith is a former member of the People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council through the Parkinson’s Foundation and serves as a care partner to her mother, Joanne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017. A lifelong public servant with the City of Cincinnati, Tonia has dedicated more than 28 years to advancing aging and accessibility initiatives, promoting health equity, and building coalitions that strengthen community well-being. Her work spans public health, policy, and environmental health and safety. A Registered Dietitian, Master Certified Health Education Specialist, and Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500), Tonia is passionate about helping others live healthier lives. She and her husband, Rob, make their home in Cincinnati, where they share life’s adventures with their energetic Chihuahua-mix, Spike, and their extra-fluffy cat, Bunni.