Welcome to the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego’s Speakers Bureau
Here we provide you bios and info on people who can speak to your organization on various topics related to Parkinson’s. Please click on the photos to read the bios then fill out the form in the popup to contact any of our speakers. Use the filter buttons to see who is available to speak in person and who would be available for a last minute booking.
Chris Buscher
Chris Buscher – Executive Director, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego
Speaking on:
- The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego Resources
Chris has served as Executive Director of PASD since January of 2017 and he has worked in an executive and/or volunteer capacity for not for profits for over 50 years. Exhibiting a deep life commitment to those in need, he has an extensive background developing positive solutions to meet those needs.
During his past work career, he has led local and national community efforts for the homeless, battered women, emergency food, needs assessment, fund distribution and diversity. He credits successes that were achieved, to superior teamwork, as it is always a critical component in reaching goals.
BOOKING REQUEST FOR CHRIS BUSCHER:
Jeff Seckendorf
Jeff Seckendorf – Director of Operations, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego
Available for Last Minute Bookings
Speaking on these topics:
- The PASD Mentor Program
- Finding Your Purpose
- Your Path to Mastery
Jeff began his career as a photographer and filmmaker, first as a stills photographer for UPI and other national publications, then as a director/cameraman producing, directing, and/or photographing over 1000 TV commercials, dozens of music videos, movies, and documentaries. One recent project documents a team of Parkinson’s patients on a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. Jeff has won numerous awards for his cinematography, including Sundance Film Festival and Independent Spirit Award nominations for best cinematography.
In 2008 Jeff eased out of the film industry and founded Unified Team Diving, a global scuba training and certification agency. While traveling the world training scuba instructors, Jeff authored eight training manuals and dozens of online courses. Jeff also teaches a “train the trainer” corporate leadership course.
As a masters athlete Jeff races a bicycle on track and has stood on the podium multiple times at the California state championships. He holds the hour record in his age group at the San Diego Velodrome and is a course record holder at the World 6-Hour Time Trial Championships. Jeff’s current project on the bike is to attempt to break the U.S. hour record in the 70-74 age group. This entails riding his bike over 44 kilometers in one hour in a velodrome of his choosing.
The hour record has led to his renewed interest in purpose. Initially this ride was completely self-serving, much like climbing a mountain because it’s there. But that seemed like an empty reason to do all this hard work. So, as his training ramped up and got harder, and the commitment became more important, the purpose came into very clear focus and Jeff realized he could use this event to motivate others to find purpose. Here is a short film about Jeff’s hour attempt: https://youtu.be/8JNiHXd7Lfg
As Director of Operations at the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, Jeff speaks about the PASD Mentor Program which he co-founded and now manages; finding your purpose when life throws a dramatic change at you (like getting Parkinson’s, or becoming a full time care partner); and Your Path to Mastery, a short workshop program to help you discover what you are good at and how to apply that to something new.
BOOKING REQUEST FOR JEFF SECKENDORF:
Jonathan Schwartz
Jonathan Schwartz – Owner, Partner in Aging
Speaking on these topics:
- Aging well in the 21st century
- The Longevity Dividend, how to give back and have purpose post retirement
- ABC’s of Retirement Communities
Jonathan Schwartz has a degree in Entrepreneurship from Indiana University and a master’s degree in Gerontology from USC. Since 2008, he has been living and working in the field of aging, with a main focus on in-home care and assisted living communities.
At the beginning of 2019, he leveraged his decade-plus experience in the field of aging to start a company, Partner in Aging. Partner in Aging helps older adults connect to a litany of resources to help individuals and families navigate the maze of aging. Jonathan’s passion and aim is to speak to groups to inspire and educate our San Diego community on how to age well.
BOOKING REQUEST FOR JONATHAN SCHWARTZ:
Marty Acevedo
Marty Acevedo – Board President, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego; Ambassador, Davis Phinney Foundation
Available for Last Minute Bookings
Speaking on these topics:
- Living Your Best Life with Parkinson’s
- The PASD Mentor Program
- Nutrition and Parkinson’s
- Parkinson’s and Hospitalization;
- National, state, local advocacy
- PPMI (MJFF research on biomarkers)
- Patient experience with DBS
Marty Acevedo is the former Director of Food and Nutrition, Environmental Services, and Patient Transportation at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, CA. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who served as a member of the critical care health care team at TCMC, providing advice and recommendations for patients’ nutritional care as they recovered from critical illness or injury. Marty is the author of two home-study courses for registered dietitians and other health care practitioners.
Marty was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010. She has since increased her involvement in groups associated with Parkinson’s disease in an effort to raise awareness, increase knowledge and provide support for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Marty is an Ambassador for the Davis Phinney Foundation and is passionate about helping others with Parkinsons to find their way to living their best life on their journey with PD.
BOOKING REQUEST FOR MARTY ACEVEDO
Mike Reeder
Mike Reeder is an Emmy-Award winning sports television producer, certified Rock Steady Boxing trainer, and owner of BoxFit, home to Rock Steady Boxing Downtown San Diego. Mike started his Rock Steady program in 2016. Over the last 7 years, Mike has seen firsthand the benefits of exercise on his Parkinson’s fighters.
Booking Request for Mike Reeder
Sherrie Gould, MSN, NP-C
Sherrie Gould, NP is a Movement Disorders Nurse Practitioner at the Scripps Clinic Center for Neurorestoration in La Jolla, CA.
Speaking on these topics:
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- New Medications for Parkinson’s Patients
- Exercise and Parkinson’s
Sherrie has been a national speaker for many of the new medications that are available for our patients. She is also available to talk about Deep Brain Stimulation which includes the possibility of remote DBS programming (DBS programming from your home using wi-fi technology). Patient presentations are available. There will always be a question-and-answer portion at the end of the presentation.
On two different occasions she was given the Health Hero Award for her commitment to the Parkinson’s community. Sherrie was recognized by California Association of Nurse Practitioner for her commitment to Parkinson’s research and was given the NP Award of Distinction by the CANP in 2018. She also received recognition as the “honoree” of the year at the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego gala in October of 2019.
Sherrie Gould has coauthored professional publications on issues pertaining to Movement Disorders and is presently a sub investigator working on a project using induced pluripotent stem cell technology as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.
Her passion is empowering people with Parkinson’s to set lofty goals and as a consequence has lead hiking trips around the globe with people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to Kilimanjaro, base camp of Everest, Machu Picchu and the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Dolomite mountains in Italy in September of 2022. Next hike will be in Japan in 2024.All climbs are fundraisers for the Parkinson’s community and for research in this field.
BOOKING REQUEST FOR SHERRIE GOULD: