POP Santa Fe Community

Thanksgiving Break! (No Zoom Meeting)
2025-11-27 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Denver)
No online gathering this month. Please join us on December 6 at the PD Clubhouse!

Indoor Pickleball
2025-11-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Genoveva Chavez Community Center (GCCC), 3221 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM
RSVP to pickleball@popsantafe.org.

PD Advocacy Update
2025-11-13 13:30 - 14:30 | Punching Out Parkinson’s (POP Santa Fe) Gym, 2019 Galisteo Suite B2, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
PLEASE JOIN US…. Come listen to what we have been doing in Washington DC this year.

Come learn from other PD Advocates how to make your voice heard with Congress, State Legislature and advocates for the care you want and need.

We will be having an open discussion to keep you informed on what we have been doing to advocate for Parkinson’s Disease this past September 2025.

Kathy Blake, currently chair of the People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council (PPAC) will share highlights of PPAC’s recent multi-stakeholder roundtable convened in Washington, DC to elevate the case for change, define the most promising PD innovation and inform a shared national agenda we believe in.

Karen St. Clair and Peggy Samaha will share highlights of their recent trip to Washington, DC on behalf of the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) where we met with legislative staff from both Senator’s Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrick as well as Congresswoman, Teresa Ledger Fernandez. We presented a through and comprehensive list of “asks” to our representatives for them to address and pass through their respective houses.

And lastly, get involved with learning how to talk to the State and Congressional officials about healthcare, environmental issues and resources that you need to LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE with PD in New Mexico. BECOME AN ADVOCATE.

Refreshments will be served, and questions and answers will follow.

Family Caregiver Center of NM Information Session
2025-11-05 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-10-22 14:00 - 14:30 | Online
You are invited to join FCCNM for a 30-minute virtual information session to learn about the Family Caregiver Center of NM and how they can support family caregivers together.

FCCNM is the only community-based 501(c)(3) organization focused solely on the needs of family caregivers in New Mexico. They provide services to family caregivers who are caring for adults 18 years or older. Their services are free, accessed virtually throughout New Mexico, and in person in Albuquerque.

In January 2026, they will start in-person caregiver support groups in Santa Fe and Farmington. These new caregiver support groups will ensure that spouses, partners, parents, adult children, siblings, and friends receive the support they need.

Erin TaricaFounder & Executive Director

Dana HowarthProgram and Outreach Manager

Register

Care Partners Gathering
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-01 14:00 - 15:00 | the Santa Fe Zoom Room
This is a time for introductions, getting acquainted and bringing up any topics you wish to discuss – at this meeting and/or in the future. This is your meeting; “The experts are in the room!”

Remember, you must be a subscriber to our Care Partners newsletter to get the Zoom link. Subscribe Now!

PD Clubhouse: Halloween Party and Pumpkin Carving (registration required)
2025-10-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Punching Out Parkinson’s (POP Santa Fe) Gym, 2019 Galisteo Suite B2, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
POP Santa Fe will be having our Halloween Party and pumpkin carving PD Clubhouse on Saturday, October 265h from 1 to 3pm. Come have some tricks or treats, and tap into your creative brain to carve up a pumpkin – they’ll be cleaned and ready to go. There will be prizes for most creative pumpkin and costume! (Costumes are not required but isn’t it more fun if you wear something?) Everyone is invited – bring family and friends! Please sign up for the Clubhouse on Punchpass if you plan to attend (sign up for every extra person you plan to bring as well) so we have enough pumpkins.

Community Discussion r.e. Movement Disorders
2025-10-24 13:30 - 15:00 | Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87508, United States
Come join in a conversation that highlights the patient experience and advances in care for individuals and families across New Mexico.

This event brings together healthcare providers, community partners, and patients to share stories anddiscuss how to expand access to care for those living with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, essential tremor, dystonia, Tourette syndrome, and Huntington’s disease.

Majority Leader Reena SzczepanskiState Representative – District 47New Mexico House of Representatives

Jamie KochParkinson’s PatientFormer State Representative

Amanda Deligtisch, MDDepartment of Neurology Chair at UNM andCo-Director of The Nene and Jamie KochComprehensive Movement Disorder Center

Adrienne ShurbetFounder of Punching Out Parkinson’s Santa FeCoach at Rock Steady Boxing Santa Fe

WWFH – Movement Disorders Event – New Mexico InviteDownload

Register Here

Online Support Group
2025-10-23 13:30 - 14:30 | the Santa Fe Zoom Room
Karen St. Clair will be moderating. She plans to introduce the Aging and Parkinsons study at the Mind Research Network, and the recent article “Sue Goldie Has Parkinson’s Disease” in the New York Times. The Times article requires a (free) subscription to get access. However, this is primarily a time to get together and share.

Moving to Heal
2025-10-09 13:30 - 14:30 | Punching Out Parkinson’s (POP Santa Fe) Gym, 2019 Galisteo Suite B2, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Jamie Klein will be visiting the gym to talk about and demonstrate Moving to Heal.

Monster Making in Clay
2025-09-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Punching Out Parkinson’s (POP Santa Fe) Gym, 2019 Galisteo Suite B2, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
James DeRosso

James DeRosso got his college degree in Graphic Design, but had spent a great deal of his art electives in the ceramic studio. After college, he started working in advertising, but ceramics is what he would be doing at night on his own time. A ceramics commission job forced him to step away from his advertising job and start up a professional clay studio.

The specific niche of creating monsters all began when he would make small guardian creatures that he placed on top of the kiln to ward off bad results during firings. Friends wanted those creatures more than the ceramic wares that he was loading in the kiln. He enjoys the whole monster making niche, and the kind of people that are attracted to it. He has been making and teaching ceramics for almost 30 years. Please sign up on the POP Santa Fe calendar if you plan to attend.

Preparing for the Inevitable: Reviewing End-of-Life Options, including Medical Aid in Dying
2025-09-25 13:30 - 14:30 | the Santa Fe Zoom Room
In 2021 New Mexico authorized a new medical practice so that a qualified terminal patient can request and receive lethal medications to end their suffering and their life… if and when they choose. This session, similar to last year’s session, will briefly discuss the importance of having conversations about living and dying consistent with one’s values, provide an overview of various end-of-life options available to consider, highlight the key aspects of NM’s End-of-Life Options Act, and share some stories and experiences from the front lines. There will definitely be time for Q&A and discussion.

Barak Wolff and Sherry Burns are members of the End of Life Options New Mexico Board of Directors, a non profit with a mission to provide education and support for all end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying. Barak is a mostly retired, long-time public health leader in NM who has been deeply involved in end-of-life issues for a dozen years. Sherry Burns is an End-of-Life Doula who chairs the EOLONM Client Supports Volunteer Committee. Sherry has been working directly with dying patients in various settings for the last several years.

For those who wish to learn a bit more before (or after) the presentation, you might want to check out these websites:

End of Live Options New Mexico: https://endoflifeoptionsnm.org/

Sherry Burns – End of Live Doula. https://sherryburns.org/

Link to Compassion and Choices End of Life Decisions Advanced Planning Guide and Toolkit: https://compassionandchoices.org/resource/eoldgt/

The Medical Order for Scope of Treatment is a one-page, 2-sided green form that someone with serious illness and can review and sign with their primary clinician. It is a medical order that is often posted in the home to express what care, if any, is desired if the patient loses capacity. Learn more at https://www.nmmost.org.

47th Annual New Mexico Conference on Aging
2025-09-23 10:30 - 2025-09-25 10:30
From the Conference on Aging Website:

This year’s event will take place at the Glorieta Conference Center from September 23 – 25 and is presented by the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) and the Anchorum Health Foundation.

This year’s conference theme, “EngAGE as you Age,” will focus on healthy aging and vibrant living. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in informative sessions, recreational activities, and get connected with important resources.

Registration cost is $40 and includes:

Free shuttle service between Santa Fe and the Glorieta Conference Center.

Access to all keynote presentations, breakout sessions and panels.

Entry to the resource expo.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks during the conference.

Interactive and recreational activities, including stargazing, pickleball, mini golf and guided hikes.

Admission to the social dance, featuring live entertainment from New Mexico music legend Al Hurricane Jr.

Attendees must use the park and ride shuttle service from Santa Fe to Glorieta.

Art and Movement
2025-09-13 15:00 - 16:00 | NMSA, 500 Montezuma Ave., Santa Fe, New Mexico
A panel discussion in association with the special exhibit at the Vladem. Panelists include:

Adrienne Shurbet, Executive Director of Punching Out Parkinson’s,

David Wargo, Founding Director of Movement 360

Shannon Elliott, Co-Director of Movement 360,

Dr. Gordon Woods, Associate professor of Medical Education (retired)

Singing For Parkinson's
2025-09-09 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-09-02 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-08-26 13:30 - 14:30 | Punching Out Parkinson’s (POP Santa Fe) Gym, 2019 Galisteo Suite B2, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
This FREE class will run through August and will be taught by the wonderfully talented Priscilla Zimmermann.

Singing is especially beneficial for people with Parkinson’s because it improves vocal strength, respiratory function, and is a mood-booster. It has also been shown to reduce tremors and improve posture because it helps to relax muscles and release tension in the back and neck. Singing fosters social connection and reduces stress. Everyone should be singing! You are welcome to bring friends and/or family with you to class! Please sign up on the gym’s calendar HERE.

Neuroscience, Art, and Parkinson’s
2025-09-06 15:00 - 16:00 | NMSA, 500 Montezuma Ave., Santa Fe, New Mexico
A panel discussion in association with the special exhibit at the Vladem. Panelists include:

Dr. David Rose, retired professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education, neuropsychologist and Educator,

Dan Monroe, former Director of Peabody Essex Museum, and

C. David Thomas, presenting artist of the exhibition.

Care Partner's Gathering Cancelled
2025-09-03 14:00 - 15:00
There will not be a gathering on September 3, 2025.

Drumming for Parkinson's
2025-08-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Punching Out Parkinson’s (POP Santa Fe) Gym, 2019 Galisteo Suite B2, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Rick Cormier

Rick Cormier is passionate about drumming and has hosted free community drum circles since the 90s as well as teaching group drumming in schools. He’s played in rock and blues bands, and has even been a guest drummer in Buddhist temples and Hindu temples in India. He’s a retired psychotherapist and author who builds drums and loves to cook! Please sign up on the POP Santa Fe calendar if you plan to attend.

Hospice Care
2025-08-28 13:30 - 14:30 | the Santa Fe Zoom Room
Andrea OrtegaCommunity Liaison Home Health & HospiceAmbercare Home Health and Hospice

Andrea Ortega is a dedicated Community Liaison for Ambercare Home Health and Hospice, where she has been part of a strong collaborative team at Ambercare for five years. Drawing a strong background as a paramedic in emergency medicine and diabetic education, Andrea brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and heartfelt communication to her role.

Andrea is passionate about educating patients and families on the true purpose of hospice care, working to challenge outdated perceptions and ensure end of life support is understood, valued and approached with dignity.

Her experience across urgent and chronic care settings have provided a unique ability to meet people where they are with empathy, clarity and unwavering support.

Outside of her professional role, Andrea is a wife, proud mom of three with a bonus of two more, a role that fuels her deep empathy and strong sense of purpose in both work and life!
