Tamara Barry

Tamara Barry is president of the UVPP. She joined the board of the UVPP in the fall of 2022. She is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner after working at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for 30 years. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in Sept 2018 but has had symptoms since 2003. She is passionate about keeping people with PD active and socially engaged. With the board members, she has been creating programs that meet these needs for the Parkinson's community. Tamara is physically active and enjoys hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and kayaking. She lives with her husband and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Diane M. Caruso

Diane M. Caruso is a Partner and Co-Founder of Village Retirement Communities.

Beginning in 1990 Diane helped make VRC a reputable provider of senior housing communities throughout Southern New England, co-founding and co-leading ten highly successful campuses. The high level of resident satisfaction achieved by a team of more than 1000 Village employees was a direct result of Diane’s foresight and passionate attention to detail.

Born out of that same passion, Diane founded Bone Builders of Rhode Island. Bone Builders is an innovative community-based program designed by Dr. Miriam Nelson to promote bone health and an overall sense of wellbeing for both men and women. BBRI currently offers this program in over 15 locations. Diane is also a Master Trainer of this same program.

Diane is a believer in movement through exercise, in particular dance. Loving ballroom and Latin dance even from a child, earning gold level experience as a junior level dancer in international ballroom dance. Going on in later years to become an Arthur Murray Ten Dance Champion in American style ballroom and Latin dance. 

In 2017 Diane in partnership with her husband Richard were invited by Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to bring their ballroom expertise to the floor in support off those individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This Dance for Parkinson’s class is available today. Training through the Mark Morris Dance for Parkinson’s concepts training hosted by DHMC, in addition to obtaining APDA certification.

Acknowledgements:

American Red Cross hero Award

All Children’s Theatre Action Award

YWCA Outstanding Woman in Business Award

Jefferson Award for Community Service

Honoree of the National Society of Fundraising Executives

Richard E. Caruso

Richard E. Caruso. I began my dance career in 1987 with Fred Astaire Dance Studio becoming certified to teach all levels of ballroom and Latin dance. Going on to compete professionally on a national level in ballroom, Latin, Theatre Arts, Hustle and west coast swing. My dance career led me in the direction of Master Group Training classes, choreography and private coaching.

Professionally my career presented me with the ongoing opportunity to partner with my wife in support of the environmental, physical plant and ever evolving challenges of our ownership in multiple businesses and endeavors dear to our hearts.

Partner with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to create forestry and wildlife study environments for UNH students and faculty.

Certified Bone Builder Leader in New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

DHMC Mark Morris Dance for Parkinson’s concepts.

APDA Certification.

In 2017 my wife and I were invited by DHMC to bring our expertise to the floor in support of those individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This Dance for Parkinson’s class is available today, come join us.

Together with my wife Diane, we have volunteer our time and expertise to teach ballroom and Latin Master Classes in the Upper Valley of NH, including:

DHMC Dance for Parkinson’s

Upper Valley Swing Dance Network

Kimball Union Academy

Plainfield Elementary School

Richard Black Community Center

Parminder K. Padgett, PT, DPT

Board-certified neurologic clinical specialist

Parminder (Parm) Padgett is a physical therapist passionate about exercise for people with Parkinson disease. Parm graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont in 2012 and then completed a neurologic residency program at Boston University in 2013. At Boston University she further specialized in Parkinson disease and movement disorders. During the early part of her career, Parm worked with colleagues at the University of Vermont Medical Center to develop a community-based exercise program for people with PD, called PushBack at Parkinson Disease. A virtual exercise class for people with Huntington’s disease was added with movement to a virtual platform in 2020. Parm currently works as a Physical Therapy Clinical Supervisor at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

In addition, clinical and administrative work, Parm is involved in production and hosting of a podcast for clinicians related to degenerative neurologic disorders and has served on the Moving Forward Task Force of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy aimed at helping clinicians bring evidence into practice. When not working, you can find Parm hiking, skiing or running with her husband, Jeff, and dog, Buster, and her two adult children when they are home. Parm is excited to help support the growth and development of the Upper Valley Programs for Parkinson’s organization!

Betsy Warren

Betsy Warren is a retired educator and administrator. She is passionate about education and working with people of all ages. One of her roles on the Upper Valley Programs for Parkinson’s board is planning social events. Spending time with others who “get it” is vital for those with PD.

Fully retired for the last ten years and before Covid hit, Betsy enjoyed volunteering at The Listen Center dinners and The Haven. Covid or not, she also held Nana Preschool for all four of her grandsons. It was certainly a highlight of the last ten years!

2021 was a monumental year for Betsy and her family. Having enjoyed excellent health all her life, Betsy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in April of 2021. It was a huge shock and it took several months to come to terms with the disease. Then in December of 2021, she was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma. Incredible support from family and friends, as well as lots and lots of exercise helped Betsy adjust and come to terms with her health issues. Betsy enjoys giving back via the UVPP. She especially enjoys Rock, Steady, Boxing and Dancing with Parkinson’s.

Betsy and her husband, Ed, have three grown children and five grandsons living in the Upper Valley. Her step-daughter lives in PA with her husband and two girls.