Mission Statement
Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania provides services, support and education for those living with Parkinson disease and their families.
Our Values
- Excellence: We strive to achieve outstanding results by listening and learning from the Parkinson’s community.
- Team Work: We bring together and embrace different perspectives, skills and knowledge.
- Collaboration: We partner with a diverse group of stakeholders who share our purpose and urgency.
- Integrity: We are honest, accountable and transparent with each other and with the people we represent to achieve our mission.
- Positivity: We lead with optimism and always work to find solutions to problems.
- Dedication: We are honored to do this important work and approach each day with a renewed focus until all those affected by Parkinson’s have access to the care they need and a cure is discovered.
- Responsiveness: We build relationships through trust in order to meet and support the needs of people living with Parkinson’s and their families.
Staff
Board of Directors
Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania (PFWPA)
Medical Advisory Board (MAB) – 2025
Vision Statement: To bring together the broad network of health and research professionals in order to advance education, foster collaboration, and deliver meaningful support to the Parkinson’s community in Western Pennsylvania.
Dr. Sarah Berman is a board-certified neurologist and associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh. She completed her training at Johns Hopkins and studies Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and related conditions. Her research focuses on mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease.Dr. Priya Cardone is board certified Neurologist with specialty training in movement disorders. She completed medical school at LECOM, followed by Neurology residency and Movement Disorders fellowship at the University of Connecticut. She has created a comprehensive approach to treating Parkinson’s disease, utilizing a combination of medical management, rehabilitative services, botulinum toxin injections, subcutaneous pump therapies, and deep brain stimulation therapy.Brittany Concilus is a clinical social worker with the UPMC Neurology movement disorder group. She began her career in a neuro-trauma ICU before transitioning to outpatient care. Brittany is passionate about helping individuals address medical trauma and improve quality of life for patients and families.John Dean is a speech-language pathologist who has specialized in Parkinson’s disease since 2007. He has founded interdisciplinary rehab teams, technology startups for Parkinson’s and served in senior leadership care. John chairs several national and international committees, including MDS’s AHP SIG and the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania’s Medical Advisory Board. He co-leads dual task programs globally with Dr. Josefa Domingos.Dr. Shawn Eagle is a faculty member in Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on traumatic brain injury and mental health outcomes. He has collaborated on DoD-funded studies and previously worked with the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic.Doug Enas is a Senior Software Engineer and father of three who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in February 2023 at the age of 48. After an initial period of uncertainty, he leaned into self-education, exercise, and community support to manage his diagnosis. Recognizing a lack of resources for younger individuals, he and his wife, Kiley, founded a support group for those with young-onset Parkinson’s. Doug advocates for greater understanding of the unique challenges younger patients face, especially in the workplace. He joined the Medical Advisory Board to represent this growing community and advocate for greater understanding—not pity—for people navigating Parkinson’s at a younger age.Dr. Morgan Faeder is a neurologist and psychiatrist certified in psychosomatic medicine. He practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians and is affiliated with multiple UPMC hospitals. He completed his training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.Dr. Mary Flaherty specializes in the neurological treatment of movement disorders. She cares for individuals with Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ataxia, tremors, tics, and dementia.Mark Giaquinto has held leadership roles across major healthcare organizations, including serving as President of the Vitalant Foundation (2017–2024), CFO of the Institute for Transfusion Medicine, and CFO/Controller at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Their expertise spans strategic finance, operations, and institutional development within healthcare and nonprofit environments.Dr. Sultanyazel Goksen is a neurologist practicing at UPMC. She completed her residency at Allegheny General and medical training at Istanbul University Cerrahpasa. Her clinical focus includes movement and neurodegenerative disorders.Dr. Eric Horton is a physical therapist specializing in geriatrics and neurologic rehabilitation, with extensive experience in skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient settings. He is the Director of All@Home Rehab at Allstar Therapies, where he also manages mobile wellness services. Eric is certified in PWR! Moves, Chair Chi, and cardio-drumming programs. He also serves as a Clinical Instructor and APTA Southwest District Membership Chair.Dr. Sushma Kola is a neurologist and Director of Integrative Neurosciences at Allegheny Health Network. She trained at Mayo Clinic and Northwestern, and her work focuses on blending conventional and complementary therapies in Parkinson’s care. She serves in leadership roles with the AAN and MDS.Dr. Timothy Leichliter is a board-certified neurologist at Allegheny Neurological Associates with fellowship training in movement disorders. He specializes in Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and Huntington’s disease. His clinical work includes deep brain stimulation, botulinum toxin therapy, and emerging treatment options. He is actively involved in clinical research on Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.Kaci Monhart is a board-certified nurse practitioner at Allegheny Neurological Associates, specializing in movement disorders including Parkinson’s, essential tremor, and dystonia. She began her career in critical care before earning her advanced degree in family practice at Duquesne University. Kaci works under the guidance of Dr. Timothy Leichliter and is trained in DBS programming and botulinum toxin injections. She also served as clinical faculty at Duquesne, teaching both undergraduate and second-degree nursing students.Sherri Mosovsky is the Clinical Research Program Manager in the Department of Neurology at UPMC. She has over 20 years of experience and has worked on more than 25 clinical trials related to Parkinson’s, MSA, PSP, HD, PKAN, and epilepsy. She also coordinates the Department’s annual educational conferences.Dr. Austin Oblack is a board-certified neurologist with Independence Health, specializing in Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders. He completed his residency at Allegheny General Hospital and a fellowship under Drs. Chitnis and Louis. His clinical focus includes deep brain stimulation, high-frequency ultrasound, and botulinum toxin therapies. He brings advanced training in complex treatment options for tremor and dystonia.
Ryan Orie is a certified physician assistant specializing in neurology and neuroimmunology at UPMC Presbyterian. He earned his master’s degree from Chatham University and practices within the University of Pittsburgh Physicians network. His clinical interests include complex neurological diagnoses and interdisciplinary care.Debbie Popkin Rudoy is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in aging and Parkinson’s disease. She earned degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, and her career spans counseling, home health, and care management for older adults. Inspired by her father’s community leadership, Debbie is committed to supporting individuals with Parkinson’s.
Dr. Natalie Sherry is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at the University of Pittsburgh specializing in cognitive assessment for neurosurgical and neurological patients, including deep brain stimulation candidacy. She serves on the UPMC/Pitt Psychology Consortium steering committee and co-created a well-being survey for psychologists. She earned her doctorate from Widener University and completed fellowships at Temple University and UPMC. Her clinical work spans neurology, oncology, and orthopedic surgery populations.Dr. Valerie Suski is a board-certified movement disorders neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh since 2008. She has led and participated in clinical trials on Parkinson’s and MSA, and regularly presents at the annual UPMC symposium on neurodegenerative diseases.Marla Turnbull is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, recognized as Best of 2023 & 2024. She leads a Parkinson’s study focused on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle medicine to support holistic recovery. Her work emphasizes plant-based diets, restorative sleep, and emotional well-being. She is passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health through integrative care.Dr. Amber Van Laar is a neurologist focused on developing gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Her research spans rare and common CNS disorders, with early clinical experience in pediatric gene therapy. She now serves as SVP of Global Clinical Development at AskBio, where she leads efforts to advance gene-based treatments for diseases with unmet needs. Her work bridges scientific innovation and patient care.Dr. Matthew Woodward is a movement disorder specialist with Allegheny Health Network. He trained at Drexel, University of Maryland, and the University of Colorado, and now treats PD and atypical parkinsonism. He performs DBS evaluations and programming and is interested in exercise-based approaches.April Wright is a speech-language pathologist and assistant professor at PennWest University–California, where she serves as Director of Clinical Education and trains graduate students in Parkinson’s-specific voice treatment. She specializes in voice and swallowing disorders in individuals with Parkinson’s and leads weekly virtual therapy groups, receiving ongoing grant support from the Parkinson Voice Project. April also provides clinical care at Jefferson Hospital’s Parkinson’s Center.
Affiliates
Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania (PFWPA) is pleased to be a member of Independent Parkinson’s Network (IPN), a consortium formed with the shared goals of finding a cure for Parkinson’s and supporting those who live with the disease. IPN encourages collaboration, leverages organizational strengths and maximizes efficiency within its member organizations, which include Parkinson Association of the Rockies, Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma, Houston Area Parkinson Society, Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Southwest Parkinson Society, Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson Association of the Carolinas, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, Parkinson Association of Alabama and Dallas Area Parkinson Society, and Houston Area Parkinson’s Society.
The creation of IPN formalized a collaboration that began in 2009 between the Parkinson Foundation and several independent regional nonprofit organizations, who became the founding members of the Alliance of Independent Regional Parkinson Organizations (AIRPO). This partnership allowed AIRPO to grow significantly over the years and in 2021, after many years of support from the Parkinson’s Foundation and rebranded to Independent Parkinson’s Network (IPN) in 2022 and now functions as a stand-alone collaborative group.
PFWPA is a proud member of IPN, accessing the many benefits of shared resources and perspectives from prominent and innovative Parkinson’s organizations from across the country. By expanding communication on a national scale, we are devoted to adopting new ideas and treatments generated through IPN and will continue to provide the latest services and programs to help people affected by the disease. IPN provides the opportunity to collaborate with our peers around the country who are also providing valuable services to their local Parkinson’s communities.
To be accepted to IPN, members must be able to demonstrate their credentials as independent nonprofit organizations by offering programs and direct services to their local community that aim to improve quality of life and daily living to those living with Parkinson’s or caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s. Nonprofit organizations that are interested in learning about IPN should fill out a contact form online: parkinsonsnetwork.com
PFWPA is a proud member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council (UPAC). Comprising representatives from local, state, regional and national Parkinson’s organizations, UPAC members gather information on the priorities of people with Parkinson’s and their families, helping to ensure the needs of the broader Parkinson’s community are represented in our collective public policy efforts. UPAC sends letters to policymakers when relevant bills or federal rules are being debated and encourages Parkinson’s constituencies across the country to advocate.
UPAC’s approach follows the work of the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN). From 1991 to 2016, PAN served as the unified voice of the Parkinson’s community on public policy and advocacy issues. PAN represented patients and loved ones on Capitol Hill and worked, with input from other Parkinson’s organizations, to positively impact research and health care policy. In June 2016, PAN closed its doors and transitioned key staff and programs to MJFF.