Physicians & Staff

	Rajesh Pahwa, M.D. Director, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center Laverne and Joyce Rider Professor of Neurology More about Dr. Pahwa
	Kelly E. Lyons, Ph.D. Research Professor Director of Research for the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder More about Dr. Lyons
	Jules M. Nazzaro, M.D. Director, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Center Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Molecular and Integrative Physiology More about Dr. Nazzaro
Research and Administrative Staff
	Jessica Cooper, BS, BGS Study Coordinator Jessica joined the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center in March 2011. Jessica graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in Biology and Psychology.
	Stephanie Dascalos, R.N., B.S.N. Nurse Clinician, Deep Brain Stimulation Programmer Stephanie attended Villa Maria College in Erie, PA receiving a B.S. in Nursing. She spent approximately 4 years in the Air Force. She returned to nursing when a family member was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She joined the Movement Disorder Center in April 2000 as a Programming Nurse Clinician for movement disorder patients that receive deep brain stimulation surgery.
	Meghan Ehlinger, B.S Study Coordinator Meghan joined the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center in December 2010. Meghan graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and minors in both Chemistry and Math. Meghan was previously a volunteer with the Movement Disorders center in 2007.
	Stephanie Ely Medical Secretary Stephanie joined the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center in October 2008. She previously worked in the Department of Pediatrics as a secretary
	Loretta Jenkins Study Coordinator Loretta has been involved in research for over 30 years beginning with Phase I studies in 1979. She joined the neurology department in 1993 as a research assistant in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease Pharmaceutical studies.
	Janet Kirk, R.N., B.S.N. Nurse Clinician, Deep Brain Stimulation Programmer Janet attended Graceland College and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She has worked at KUMC since 1987 with the majority of her experience in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. In November of 2003 she took a position working in the Movement Disorders Center as a Nurse Clinician, programming deep brain stimulators for movement disorder surgery patients.
	April Langhammer, B.A., C.C.R.P. Study Coordinator April joined the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center in July 2003. She started as a medical secretary for the Movement Disorder program. Since 2005, she has been working as a research study coordinator. She graduated in 2003 from Truman State University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. In August 2008 April became a Certified Clinical Research Professional.
Professional Staff
	David Burkett, LSCSW Clinical Social Worker Dave joined the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center in 2004. Dave graduated from the University of Kansas with a Master's degree in Social Work. Dave is a licensed social worker in both Kansas and Missouri.
	Marty Eng, Pharm.D. Clinical Pharmacist Marty joined the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center in 2002. Marty received his Pharm.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore – School of Pharmacy in 2000. He completed Residency in Geriatrics Pharmacotherapy at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – School of Pharmacy in 2001 and continued for a subsequent year with Texas Tech to pursue further scholarship opportunities in Geriatrics. He is a certified Geriatrics Pharmacist and a Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Specialist. His practice includes medication therapy management in assisted living, skilled nursing, memory disorders, movement disorders, and geriatrics assessment. His research interests include behaviors in Alzheimer, osteoporosis in Parkinson disease, and appropriate and optimal use of medications in older adults.
	Lindsey Heidrick, MA, CCC Speech Language Pathologist Lindsey joined the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center in 2010. Lindsey graduated from Kansas State University with bachelors' degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Gerontology and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology.
	Jeff Searl, Ph.D,, CCC Speech Language Pathologist Jeff joined the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center in 2006. Jeff graduated from Santa Clara University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and from the University of Kansas with a Master's degree and Ph.D. in Speech Language Pathology.
	Gurpreet Singh Physical Therapy Graduate Research Assistant Gurpreet joined the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center in 2008. Gurpreet graduated from India in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in physical therapy. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science at KUMC. His dissertation work involves looking at the benefits of exercise in individuals with PD.

top of page