## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Leadership](/about-us/leadership) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Leadership](/about-us/leadership) # People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council The Parkinson's Foundation People with Parkinson's Advisory Council is comprised of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) 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 nearly two decades, the council has been instrumental in advising and collaborating with the Foundation. **2026 applications are closed.** ### How do council 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: - Reviewing and advising 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. - Attending monthly conference calls and one in-person meeting per year. ### How long is the term? Members may serve up to three-years during their term on the council. ## Parkinson's Foundation People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council Members ![People with Parkinson's Advisory Committee](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/ppac-2026.jpg?itok=e4tHBPNp) - ### Current Members Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH – Chair Santa Fe, NM Kenneth Chason – Vice-Chair Alexandria, VA Ignacio Angulo Houston, TX Timothy Barth Titusville, FL Angela Carnahan Sacramento, CA Margaret "Peggy" Faber Vancouver, WA Ripley Fricano Hensley Hartford, CT Stephen Goffar Schertz, TX Thomas Graffeo Columbus, OH Lori Ann Greidanus Arlington Heights, IL Barbara J. Leffler Denver, CO Kristi Mitchell Vienna, VA Steve Scoggin Lewisville, NC Etana Solomon New Haven, CT Paul Tucker Alpharetta, GA Melinda Young Lac du Flambeau, WI - ### Founding & Former Members Mark Kelm Golden Valley, MN Benjamin Bement Baton Rouge, LA Vikas Chinnan San Carlos, CA Cynthia Finestone Rochester, NY Paula Flisnik Marcy, NY Greg Hummer Orange Park, FL Gil Kim Madison, MS Janet Reilly Ogdensburg, WI Tonia Smith Cincinnati, OH Lisa Cone Wheat Ridge, CO Lou Eisenbrandt, RN Leawood, KS Phil Gee Hilton Head, SC Steven R. Newton, MPH Fort Worth, TX Veera Rastogi Skillman, NJ Kelly Weinschreider Chicago, IL Tom Manak Glen Ellyn, IL Denise Coley Palo Alto, CA Marie Head Big Canoe, GA Melvin Mitchell Blaine, MN Julio Angulo Portland, OR Steve DeWitte Washington, CT Andrée Jannette West Chester, PA Caryn Balaban, MPH Phoenix, AZ Hao Dong, PhD Tallahassee, FL Rhona B. Johnson\* Greenwich, CT Mary Bendelow, PhD Conifer, CO Elva Brown San Antonio, TX Joy G. Dryfoos, PhD\*+ Boston, MA Glenn Kasman, MS Mercer Island, WA Claire Berman New York, NY David J. Eger, PhD\* White Plains, NY Daniel J.B. Kiefer, JD\* Los Angeles, CA Elaine Casavant, RN Lansing, MI Justin Fields, MBA Knoxville, TN Jo-Anne Lazarus, PhD\*+ Madison, WI Carey Christensen\* Stanwood, WA Carol Fox Sarasota, FL Nan Little, PhD+ Seattle, WA Christine Colón, MS, LCGC Pleasantville, NY Anthony Geraci, MD Canandaigua, NY David Malarkey, DVM, PhD Cary, NC Diane Cook Denver, CO Eric Hellinger Cedar Park, TX Rebecca Miller, PhD New Haven, CT Maria De Leon, MD Nacogdoches, TX Melinda L. Hermanns, MSN, RN, BC\* Tyler, TX Linda M. Morgan, MBA, RPh+ Asheville, NC Daniel DeWitt, PsyD Grand Rapids, MI Radhika Iyer, JD, MSW Durham, NC Mark Milow Surprise, AZ 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 John Poma, JD, MBA Glen Allen, VA 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 Kenneth Thurman, PhD West Berlin, NJ James Trussell\*+ Rome, GA Carla Velastegui Burlington, ON Ann Wasson\* San Francisco, CA Peggy Willocks Johnson City, TN Fred Woodlief, DDS Richmond, VA A.C. Woolnough Sandpoint, ID Alan Zimmerman+ Knoxville, TN Joanne Genet, PA, MLS Lafayette, CA Alejandra Borunda Phoenix, AZ \*Denotes founding member +Denotes deceased ### Get Involved Explore the different opportunities to get involved and complete our volunteer interest form to make a difference. 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