There are several support groups to help patients of UW Health's Neurosurgery Program and their families and friends learn the best ways to meet their health challenges.
Madison Area Stroke and Aneurysm Support Group
These sessions are a way for affected patients, families and friends to connect with others to help each other live their best lives. Open and honest discussions about recovery issues, roadblocks and solutions are the goal. UW Health and Unity Point-Meriter staff will be there to facilitate and answer questions, but the group belongs to the participants.
Location: Virtual and in-person (see https://patient.uwhealth.org/education/madison-area-stroke-and-aneurysm-support-group for details on each month)
Meetings: Meets the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm
Hosted by: Unity Point-Meriter and UW Health
More information: Please call Melanie McCauley at (608) 264-4698
Madison Spinal Cord Injury Group
Peer Mentoring Action (PMA) Program with Access Ability Wisconsin (formerly MadSCI Group). The PMA program is for those living with and are affected by paralysis, spinal cord injury (SCI), and other chronic health issues. It provides an open forum for discussion on chronic health, disease and paralysis; wheelchair activities and accessibility issues; & holistic health and wellness activities like "Art in the Pines" and hiking in nature. It provides mentoring and awareness as well as offering adaptive and accessible events/activities for the individual and family/social connections.
Location: Virtual and in-person (see https://www.accessabilitywi.org/upcoming-events for details on each month)
Meetings: Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm starting January 2026.
More information: Call (608) 886-9388 or go to https://www.accessabilitywi.org/programs-peer-mentoring-action-pma for more information.
Madison Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) Women’s Group
This group is for young onset women Parkinson's patients 40 years and younger, their families, and care support to gain information on Parkinson's disease through education and support from others.
Location: First Unitarian Society (Atrium Auditorium entrance), 900 University Bay Drive, Madison
Meetings: Meets the third Thursday of the month from 6:30–8pm
More information: Please contact Stephanie Johnson at Stephaniegjphnson@gmail.com or (608) 469-0336 with any questions.
Moving Forward: Resources for People with Movement Disorders
Moving Forward is a monthly support and information group for people who suffer from Parkinson's disease, dystonia, tremor and other movement disorders. This free seminar series features topic experts to address questions about movement disorder-related subjects such as disease diagnosis, treatment and management, common concerns and caregiving options, case studies, patient stories and experiences, new research and developments, moving forward to your best life.
Location: Virtual
Meetings: Second Monday of the month from 6:30-8pm
More information: Moving Forward
Monona - Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Support Group
An array of Parkinson's disease experts speak monthly about specifics of the disease and research developments. Family and friends of Parkinson's disease patients are also welcome to attend. Groups will be split up between persons with Parkinson's and care providers. *Contact the support group to see if there are virtual meeting options in place.
Location: Monona United Methodist Church, 606 Nichols Rd., Monona
Meetings: Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2-4pm
More information: Please contact Siv Goulding at (608) 839-3512 or jspfgould@gmail.com with any questions.
Stoughton - Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Support Group
An array of Parkinson's disease experts speak monthly about specifics of the disease and research developments. Family and friends of Parkinson's disease patients are also welcome to attend. Groups will be split up between persons with Parkinson's and care providers. *Contact the support group to see if there are virtual meeting options in place.
Location: Stoughton Community Health & Wellness Center, 3162 County Rd B, Stoughton, 53589
Meetings: Meets the second Monday of the month at 12:15 pm.
More information: Please call (608) 877-3498 with any questions.
Waunakee - Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Support Group
This group is for anyone who is affected by Parkinson's Disease. This includes those who have Parkinson's, their family members and care givers. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group provides a forum to meet other individuals with Parkinson's Disease, learn from speakers and talk about common issues and concerns. *Contact the support group to see if there are virtual meeting options in place.
Location: Waunakee Senior Center, 333 S. Madison St, Waunakee
Meetings: Meets the third Thursday of the month at 1 pm. If you plan to attend, please call the Waunakee Senior Center at (608) 849-8385 to register.
More information: Please contact Breanna Loether at (608) 850-5877 or bloether@waunakee.com with any questions.
Middleton - Living Well with Parkinson's Disease
This group is for anyone who is affected by Parkinson's Disease. This includes those who have Parkinson's, their family members and care givers. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group provides a forum to meet other individuals with Parkinson's Disease, learn from speakers and talk about common issues and concerns. *Contact the support group to see if there are virtual meeting options in place.
*Program is a half hour support meeting and a half hour dedicated to wellness (topics may cover exercise, nutrition & more with hands on activities)
Location: Cardinal View Senior Living, 3820 Tribeca Dr., Middleton, WI 53562
Meetings: Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 2-3 pm
More information: Please contact Bill Ryan at (608) 334-7735 or ryanfwilliam@gmail.com with any questions.
Fitchburg – Support Group for Care Partners & Support Group for People with Parkinson's Disease
These groups are for anyone who is affected by Parkinson's Disease. This includes those who have Parkinson's, their family members and care givers. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group provides a forum to meet other individuals with Parkinson's Disease, learn from speakers and talk about common issues and concerns. *Contact the individual support group to see if there are virtual meeting options in place.
*These are two separate groups that meet simultaneously.
Location: The Courtyard at Fitchburg, 5669 Wilshire Drive, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Meetings: Meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1pm
More information: Please contact Karen Jeffers at (608) 886-6711 with any questions.
Fitchburg – Women with Parkinson's Disease Support Group
This group is for women who are affected by Parkinson's Disease. This includes those who have Parkinson's, their family members and care givers. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group provides a forum to meet other individuals with Parkinson's Disease, learn from speakers and talk about common issues and concerns. *Contact the individual support group to see if there are virtual meeting options in place.
Location: Fitchburg Senior Center, Syene Conference Room, 5510 Lacy Rd. Fitchburg, WI 53711
Meetings: Meets the first Thursday of the month from 1:30-3pm
More information: Please contact Stephanie Johnson at (608) 469-0336 or stephaniegjohnson@gmail.com with any questions.