What is the Parkinson's Foundation People with Parkinson's Council?
The Parkinson's Foundation People with Parkinson's Council is comprised of people with Parkinson’s and care partners who serve as advisors to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Launched in 2006, the Council ensures that the perspective of people living with Parkinson’s is integrated into the foundation’s program development and priority setting. For more than a decade, the Council has been instrumental in advising and collaborating with the Foundation.
The 2021 People with Parkinson’s Council Application is now closed. If you are interested in applying to join the Council next year, please contact Volunteer@Parkinson.org or visit Parkinson.org/Volunteer to learn about other volunteer opportunities.
How Do Members Work With the Foundation?
It is critical to the Parkinson’s Foundation to engage people with Parkinson’s as partners in everything we do. Council member responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Guiding our strategy to invest in promising scientific research that will end Parkinson’s disease and improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their families, through improved treatments, support and the best care.
- Reviewing and providing recommendations on programs, initiatives, policies and materials that are conducted to advance Parkinson’s Foundation goals.
- Providing input on unmet needs within the PD community.
- Serving as ambassadors for the foundation in the PD community and the public.
- Identifying and coordinating opportunities to share the foundation’s informational and educational resources.
- Supporting the foundation through organizing local fundraising events within the community and/or personal contributions.
- Serving on the Council and/or Parkinson’s Foundation committees and working groups.
- Attending Council conference calls and two in-person meetings per year in New York, Miami or another location.
How Long is the Term?
The Parkinson’s Foundation is accepting applications from individuals who are interested in serving on the Council for three years, from 2021 to 2024.
Parkinson's Foundation People with Parkinson’s Council Members
Gretchen Rosswurm, MS (Chair)
Irving, TX
Tom Manak (Vice Chair)
Glen Ellyn, IL
Alejandra Borunda
Phoenix, AZ
Denise Coley
Palo Alto, CA
Lisa Cone
Wheat Ridge, CO
Lou Eisenbrandt, RN
Leawood, KS
Joanne Genet, PA, MLS
Lafayette, CA
Radhika Iyer, JD, MSW
Durham, NC
Glenn Kasman, MS
Mercer Island, WA
Steven R. Newton, MPH
Fort Worth, TX
Kelly Weinschreider
Chicago, IL
Karen St. Clair
Sante Fe, NM
Marie Head
Big Canoe, GA
Melvin Mitchell
Blaine, MN
Phil Gee
Hilton Head, SC
Founding & Former Members
We thank the following members for their years of service.
Andrée Jannette
West Chester, PA
Justin Fields, MBA
Knoxville, TN
Mary Bendelow, PhD
Conifer, CO
Leslie Peters
Colorado Springs, CO
Paul Rohrlich, PhD
Falls Church, VA
Rebecca Miller, PhD
New Haven, CT
Julio Angulo
Portland, OR
Caryn Balaban, MPH
Phoenix, AZ
Claire Berman
New York, NY
Elaine Casavant, RN
Lansing, MI
Carey Christensen*
Stanwood, WA
Christine Colón, MS, LCGC
Pleasantville, NY
Diane Cook
Denver, CO
Maria De Leon, MD
Nacogdoches, TX
Daniel DeWitt, PsyD
Grand Rapids, MI
Steve DeWitte
Washington, CT
Hao Dong, PhD
Tallahassee, FL
Joy G. Dryfoos, PhD*+
Boston, MA
David J. Eger, PhD*
White Plains, NY
Carol Fox
Sarasota, FL
Anthony Geraci, MD
Canandaigua, NY
Eric Hellinger
Cedar Park, TX
Melinda L. Hermanns, MSN, RN, BC*
Tyler, TX
Rhona B. Johnson*
Greenwich, CT
Daniel J.B. Kiefer, JD*
Los Angeles, CA
Jo-Anne Lazarus, PhD*
Madison, WI
Nan Little, PhD
Seattle, WA
David Malarkey, DVM, PhD
Cary, NC
Linda M. Morgan, MBA, RPh
Asheville, NC
Meredith N. Mucha, MD*
Westerville, OH
Girija Muralidhar, PhD
Poway, CA
Daniel Novak, PhD
Westworth Village, TX
Michael O’Leary*
Anthem, AZ
Thomas A. Palizzi
Denver, CO
Jay Phillips
Summerville, SC
Marilyn Phillips, PT
Summerville, SC
Judi Sechter
Merrick, NY
Dana Seyfried, MA
Roslyn, NY
Marc Sherman, JD
Forest Hills, NY
Karen Smith
Evansville, IN
Lillian Snyder*+
Wheaton, IL
Joanna Steichen, MSW*+
New York, NY
Robert “Kelly” Sweeney
Portland, OR
Bruce Talbot*+
Moretown, VT
James Trussell*+
Rome, GA
Ann Wasson*
San Francisco, CA
Peggy Willocks
Johnson City, TN
Fred Woodlief, DDS
Richmond, VA
A.C. Woolnough
Sandpoint, ID
Alan Zimmerman
Knoxville, TN
*Denotes founding member
+Denotes deceased
