NEOMED doctor with Parkinson’s disease appointed to federal advisory council
An Air Force veteran and faculty member at the Northeast Ohio Medical University has been appointed to the Advisory Council on Parkinson’s Research, Care and Services, a federal body convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Sara Ann Whittingham works at NEOMED and in 2020, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Since then, Dr. Whittingham has become a leading advocate for patient-centered research, education and awareness. She actively contributes her expertise to NEOMED’s Neurodegenerative Research Focus Area.
Her appointment to the Advisory Council on Parkinson’s Research, Care and Services, made by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is effective immediately through Dec. 31, 2029, in accordance with federal appointment procedures.
“I am honored to join this newly created Advisory Council and to help expand patient support services, drive public awareness and advance emerging therapies and care models,” Dr. Whittingham said.
The Advisory Council provides strategic guidance on national Parkinson’s initiatives, including shaping research priorities, strengthening care models and expanding services for individuals and families affected by the disease.
Dr. Whittingham is also the author of Oh Crap! It’s Parkinson’s: A Rebel’s Guide to Taking Back Control of Your Life.
As part of her role, Dr. Whittingham will receive briefings and coordination from Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institutes of Health.
Her appointment underscores NEOMED’s growing national presence in neurodegenerative research and its commitment to improving the lives of individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.
