About Us

About the Parkinson Foundation of Northwest Ohio

Our Mission
To establish optimal quality of life for the Northwest Ohio Parkinson’s community through awareness, education and care.

The Parkinson Foundation of Northwest Ohio (PFNWO) is one of four independent Ohio PD foundations who come together as The Ohio Parkinson Foundation (OPF). We are a non-profit organization whose overall mission is to improve the quality of life of those affected by Parkinson Disease (PD).

As one of four autonomous non-profit regions, each serving Parkinson’s support groups in our respective counties, we are dedicated to educate and provide support and services to local communities. The PFNWO works with available resources and partners with many others, including The University of Toledo Gardner-McMaster Parkinson’s Center, healthcare professionals and other interested parties to accomplish these goals.

A vital component of this mission is the support groups. Support groups play an important role in both learning about and living with PD. They provide an environment for those with PD, caregivers, and family to ask questions and obtain encouragement and support. As appropriately stated by the Central Ohio Parkinson Society, these are groups of experts living near you who will gladly talk about PD and field questions you may have. If you are looking for a support group in your area, here is where you may find one. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to answer any questions you may have. Together we can make a difference. 

Our Tulip’s Meaning
The red tulip has been associated with Parkinson’s awareness since 1980 when a Dutch horticulturalist who had PD developed a red and white tulip and named it “Dr. James Parkinson.” The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) uses a stylized red tulip based on the “Dr James Parkinson” tulip as its logo. In April 2005, the red tulip was launched as the Worldwide Symbol of Parkinson’s Disease at the 9th World PD Day Conference in Luxembourg. The strong stem and vibrant red color symbolize strength, hope, and optimism.

Our Board Members
Our Board Members volunteer their time and knowledge to provide the vision that drives the Parkinson Foundation.

• Jeremy Hartle, President (Senior Associate, Transamerica Financial Advisors)

• Bart Bolbach, Vice President (Retired – Resident Engineer, Chrysler Toledo Jeep)

• Karen Biller, Secretary (Retired – Huntington) 

• Stacey Dunbar, Treasurer (Vice President, Huntington)

• Gail Zimmerman, Past President (Rudolph Libbe)

• Thomas Dunbar, Past President (Retired – Dunbar Mechanical)

• Barbara Harris (Retired-Deputy Clerk, Juvenile Court System)

• Andrea Gibbons (Vice President, Client Development, Signature Bank, N.A.)

• Mark Fisher (Retired – Fisher Tool & Die)

• Jean Kornowa (Library Media, Washington Local Schools)

• Jeff Kramer (Physical Therapist, Kingston Healthcare)

• Janet Clough (Senior Associate, Willis Towers Watson)

Together, Making a Difference