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?
Members each serve a three year term on the Council.
Parkinson's Foundation People with Parkinson’s Council Members
Tom Manak (Chair)
Glen Ellyn, IL
Lisa Cone (Vice Chair)
Wheat Ridge, CO
Benjamin Bement
Baton Rouge, LA
Alejandra Borunda
Phoenix, AZ
Denise Coley
Palo Alto, CA
Lou Eisenbrandt, RN
Leawood, KS
Paula Flisnik
Marcy, NY
Phil Gee
Hilton Head, SC
Joanne Genet, PA, MLS
Lafayette, CA
Marie Head
Big Canoe, GA
Mark Kelm
Golden Valley, MN
Melvin Mitchell
Blaine, MN
Steven R. Newton, MPH
Fort Worth, TX
Tonia Smith
Cincinnati, OH
Kelly Weinschreider
Chicago, IL
Founding & Former Members
We thank the following members for their years of service.
Julio Angulo
Portland, OR
Caryn Balaban, MPH
Phoenix, AZ
Mary Bendelow, PhD
Conifer, CO
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
Justin Fields, MBA
Knoxville, TN
Carol Fox
Sarasota, FL
Anthony Geraci, MD
Canandaigua, NY
Eric Hellinger
Cedar Park, TX
Melinda L. Hermanns, MSN, RN, BC*
Tyler, TX
Radhika Iyer, JD, MSW
Durham, NC
Andrée Jannette
West Chester, PA
Rhona B. Johnson*
Greenwich, CT
Glenn Kasman, MS
Mercer Island, WA
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
Rebecca Miller, PhD
New Haven, CT
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
Leslie Peters
Colorado Springs, CO
Jay Phillips
Summerville, SC
Marilyn Phillips, PT
Summerville, SC
Paul Rohrlich, PhD
Falls Church, VA
Gretchen Rosswurm, MS
Irving, TX
Judi Sechter
Merrick, NY
Dana Seyfried, MA
Roslyn, NY
Marc Sherman, JD
Forest Hills, NY
Karen Smith
Evansville, IN
Lillian Snyder*+
Wheaton, IL
Karen St. Clair
Sante Fe, NM
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
