S-Z

Catherine Chalmers, MDiv, BCC
Chaplain, Trinity Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Rev. Catherine Chalmers, MDiv, BCC, is a chaplain with Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital.  She earned her Master of Divinity in 2011 from Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN, and completed student clinicals and post-graduate residency (2012) at Alive Hospice, also in Nashville.  She has been a Board Certified Chaplain since 2014 and specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, and Critical Care.  In her current role she serves the inpatient and outpatient Palliative Care teams and the ICU/IMCU.

Claire J. Creutzfeldt, MD
Associate Professor, University of Washington
Secretary and Research Committee Co-Chair, International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS)
Seattle, Washington

Dr. Claire Creutzfeldt, MD, received her medical degree from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany and completed her neurology residency, her stroke fellowship as well as a post-graduate training in Palliative Care at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Dr. Creutzfeldt’s research focuses on integrating palliative care into the emergent and ongoing care of patients with severe acute brain injury and their families, including people affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury and cardiac arrest. Dr. Creutzfeldt has co-edited a book on Neuropalliative care with Dr. Benzi Kluger and Dr. Bob Holloway and has authored several peer-reviewed manuscripts with a focus on neuropalliative care, communication and decision-making for people facing severe neurologic illness. She has been funded by the Cambia Health Foundation, National institute of Neurologic Diseases and Stroke, and the National Institute of Nursing Research. 

Katie Dabkowski, PT, DPT, NCS
Physical Therapist, Trinity Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Katie Dabkowski, PT, DPT, NCS is an outpatient physical therapist at Trinity Health Hauenstein Neurosciences. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurology by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She has worked with Trinity Health's ALS clinic for 10+ years and also specializes in other neurological conditions such as vertigo, Parkinson's Disease, neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis.

Farrah Daly
Owner / Founder, EvenBeam Neuropalliative Care, LLC
Vice President, International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS)
Leesburg, Virginia

Farrah Daly MD MBA is the owner & founder of EvenBeam Neuropalliative Care, LLC in Northern Virginia.  Her independent medical practice provides home-based neuropalliative physician consultation for people living with neurologic illness.

She completed neurology training at the University of Virginia in 2007, and a formal palliative medicine fellowship at Capital Hospice in Northern Virginia in 2009.  After 12 years as a hospice medical director, she started her independent practice to serve people in the gap between office based care and end of life care.

Mindy Emerson
Caregiver for ALS Patient, Hauenstein Center
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Mrs. Mindy Emerson is participating as a caregiver for her husband, Rick, an ALS patient with the Hauenstein Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan from November, 2022 through April, 2024.

Christina Faull, MBBS, MRCP, MD
Consultant in Palliative Medicine, LOROS Hospice
Leicester, United Kingdom

Professor Christina Faull has worked in palliative care for nearly 35 years, 20 of them in Leicester at the independent Hospice LOROS and the University of Leicester. She is passionate about research driven improvement in care for patients and families and ensuring all staff are prepared to provide great care. She has led research on the withdrawal of ventilation in MND/ALS over the past 12 years developing national Guidance on this published by the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland. She is currently celebrating the publication of the 4th Edition of The Handbook of Palliative Care.

George Fitchett, PhD
Professor, Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois

George Fitchett, DMin, PhD, is Professor and former Director of Research in the Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Illinois. With training in both healthcare chaplaincy and epidemiology, he is one of the United States’ leading chaplain-researchers. In 1990 he developed the research program in Rush’s Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values. It was one of the first such programs in any chaplaincy department and has become a model for the field. He is the former Director of Transforming Chaplaincy, whose mission is to promote evidence-based spiritual care. In 2019 he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University for Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Transforming Chaplaincy: The George Fitchett Reader, a collection of his research, was published in Fall 2021.

Roop Gursahani, MD, DM, FAAN
Consultant (Attending) Neurologist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital
Mumbai, India

Dr Roop Gursahani, MD, FAAN is an attending neurologist at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, India. He completed his basic medical, internal medicine and neurology training in India by 1988, with a subspecialty focus on epilepsy. He has been involved in advocacy for Advance Care Planning since 2011. A passionate involvement in Neuropalliative care was a natural progression and he joined the INPCS Board of Directors when the society was formed.

Kirk Hall, MBA
Member, INPCS Patient/Carepartner Advisory Council
Littleton, Colorado

Kirk Hall, MBA, is a Parkinson’s patient, advocate, author, and speaker. Kirk and his movement disorder doctor, Benzi Kluger, discovered a shared vision of a patient-centered approach to PD care in 2014. This evolved into Dr. Kluger’s creation of a Palliative Care Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH). Kirk and his care partner wife, Linda, have worked on the development and implementation of palliative care clinical studies and international conferences that have helped launch PDPC into the mainstream of modern medicine.

Christina Irving, LCSW
Client Services Director, Family Caregiver Alliance
San Francisco, California

Christina Irving is the Client Services Director at Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) and licensed clinical social work. She received a Master’s degree in Social Work from San Jose State University and has been with FCA for over 18 years. She oversees the staff of the Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center who provide direct services to family caregivers, including assessment, counseling, education, and support. She has co-developed curriculum and led trainings for the VA Caregiver Support Program, the San Francisco LGBTQ Dementia Care Project, a state-funded training on supporting diverse caregivers, and numerous trainings for FCA caregiver clients.

Kathleen Kelly, MPA
Executive Director, Family Caregiver Alliance
San Francisco, California

Kathleen A. Kelly, MPA, serves as the Executive Director of the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA), a national nonprofit dedicated to providing support and services to unpaid family caregivers of adults with cognitive impairments and chronic health conditions. In her role, she oversees the regional San Francisco Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center, which delivers direct caregiver services. Additionally, she leads strategic initiatives on digital engagement and technology platforms, policy collaborations, and research.

Ms. Kelly has been instrumental in the development of CareNav™, a secure caregiver service platform designed to offer personalized information, training, care plans, and service authorizations. She participates in various state and national advisory boards and has extensively written and lectured on topics related to family caregiving, public policy, consumer technologies, and program development. For more information or to contact Ms. Kelly, you can reach her at kkelly@caregiver.org. Additional details about her work and the FCA can be found on the Family Caregiver Alliance website.

Benzi Kluger, MD, MS
Professor of Neurology, University of Rochester
President, International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS)
Rochester, New York

Dr. Benzi Kluger is a Professor of Neurology and Medicine and the Director of the Palliative Care Research Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center (New York). He is an internationally recognized leader in the emerging field of neuropalliative care and the founding President of the International Neuropalliative Care Society (www.inpcs.org), an organization dedicated to improving models of care for persons living with neurologic illness and their families. Dr. Kluger's research focuses on developing, testing and implementing palliative care interventions for persons living with Parkinson's and other neurologic illnesses and in improving our understanding and treatment of nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's, including fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. He is also working on several writing projects (www.benzikluger.com) related to empowering people living with serious illness to better advocate for themselves and to avoid potentially dangerous and expensive medical BS.

Piret Paal, PhD
Professor of Palliative Care / Medical Anthropologist, Paracelsus Medical University / University of Tartu
Tartu, Estonia

Dr. Piret Paal holds the position of Professor of Palliative Care at Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, and serves as a researcher in Medical Anthropology at the University of Tartu, Estonia. Additionally, she is the Action Chair of the EU funded COST Action Initiative, CODE_YAA@PC_EDU. Born in Estonia, her professional journey has included significant contributions to global healthcare and end-of-life care in Finland, Germany, and Austria.

As a passionate advocate for palliative care education, Dr. Paal believes it is essential for everyone to have a comprehensive understanding of palliative care. To her, palliative care represents a holistic philosophy that ensures individuals with chronic illnesses and their caregivers receive comprehensive support. She is convinced that the strength of our society is mirrored in the manner we care for our elderly and vulnerable populations.

In her professional capacities, Piret serves as the Chair of the Education Reference Group of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) and belongs to the Executive Committee of the International Collaborative for Best Care for the Dying Person. Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, she finds solace and rejuvenation in outdoor activities, where nature serves as a personal source of healing and inspiration.

Sarah Perks, CMA
Medical Assistant, Trinity Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Sarah Perks is a certified medical assistant who worked in the neuromuscular and neuro-palliative clinics at Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hauenstein Neuroscience Center from July of 2017 until June of 2024. She completed her medical assistant training at Ross Medical Education in Grand Rapids Michigan and completed her Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies at Grand Valley State University in Allendale Michigan.

She currently works as the Geriatrics Coordinator for Trinity Health Medical Group West Michigan. Her passion is coordinating and providing support to patients and families with medically complex conditions.

Joel Phillips, DO
Regional Medical Director, Trinity Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Joel Phillips, DO, FAAHPM, is the regional medical director for palliative medicine at Trinity Health West Michigan. He is board certified in neurology and hospice and palliative medicine, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He graduated from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his neurology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He then completed his hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners.  His clinical emphasis is on ambulatory neuropalliative medicine within the Hauenstein Neuroscience Center and is the associate program director for the HPM fellowship.

Lesli Skolarus, MD, MS
Professor and Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chief of Stroke and Vascular Neurology, Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Evanston, Illinois

Lesli E. Skolarus, MD, MS, is a Professor of Neurology in the Vascular Neurology Division. Dr. Skolarus also serves as Vice Chair of Faculty Development and as Director of community engagement consultations in the Center for Community Health at NUCATS Institute. Her research focuses on promoting health equity and improving neurologic outcomes using community-based participatory research, health services research, and implementation science approaches. Prior to coming to Northwestern, Dr. Skolarus was Professor of Neurology, Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education, and Co-Director of the Vascular Neurology division at the University of Michigan. Dr. Skolarus also serves on the American Neurological Association's Board of Directors; co-chairs the American Neurological Association's IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism, Social justice) Task Force; and is a member of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Health Disparities Steering Committee where she co-leads the Social Determinants of Health Framework subcommittee.

Joseph "Jody" Stern, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Dr. Joseph “Jody” Stern earned undergraduate and medical school degrees, as well as completed internship and residency, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He has trained in Palliative Care through Harvard Medical School. He is Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He teaches medical students and directs the “Medical Humanities” program at Cone Health in Greensboro, NC. He practiced Neurosurgery through Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates (CNSA) and co-directed the Cone Health Cancer Center Brain Tumor Program.

Propelled by his younger sister Victoria’s surprise diagnosis of acute leukemia, an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant, and later her death, followed by her husband Pat’s death from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, orphaning their two children, Dr. Stern has been exploring the impact her illness had on himself, as well as the personal experiences of physicians and patients going through similarly disruptive losses. Victoria wrote a powerful journal about her nearly eight-month hospitalization, which he has incorporated into a memoir: “Grief Connects Us: A Neurosurgeon’s Lessons on Love, Loss, and Compassion,” published by Central Recovery Press in 2021. In this book, Dr. Stern advocates for greater compassion and empathy in the way we treat each other and our patients, and makes specific suggestions of how we can improve health care delivery to achieve these goals. In his TED Talk he discusses the importance of abandoning emotional armor in favor of greater emotional agility.

Malenna Sumrall, PhD
Patient/Care Partner Advocate, University of Colorado Supportive and Palliative Care Clinic
Castle Rock, Colorado

Malenna Sumrall has a PhD in Educational Research and serves as a Patient/Care Partner Advocate for the University of Colorado Supportive and Palliative Care Clinic. She has been a peer navigator in that clinic for the past seven years. Beyond that, she continues to look for ways to make care partners’ roles a bit more bearable, including currently leading three different Zoom support groups for care partners.

Malenna was her husband’s care partner throughout his Parkinson’s Disease Dementia. He was diagnosed in 2000. In 2014 they were able to see Dr. Kluger, who introduced them to neuropalliative care. During one of their appointments, Dr. Kluger asked Malenna to speak at his first International Working Group in 2015. That was the start of her advocacy journey. Since then she has spoken to various groups, served on advisory councils for two of Dr. Kluger’s completed research projects, and is currently serving on two more advisory councils. With Dr. Kluger’s help, Malenna started the peer navigator program in the neuropalliative care clinic. Things she learned there prompted her to start a Zoom support group for care partners that has been active for five years. Within INPCS, Malenna served on the Membership Committee for three years and is now leading a Family/Advocate Task Force.  Great strides have been made in neuropalliative care in the last 10 years, including the formation of INPCS, but there is still a lot to do.

Margaret Szarowicz, LMSW
Neurology and Neuropalliative care Social Worker, Trinity Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Margaret Szarowicz, LMSW is a Neurology and Neuropalliative care Social Worker at Trinity Health Grand Rapids.  With 14 years of medical social work experience, Margaret previously worked as a case manager/therapist for a local mental health agency and as a dialysis clinic social worker.  Margaret graduated with a Bachelor's degree in social work from Michigan State University in 2009 and with a Master's degree in social work from Michigan State University in 2010. 

Andréa Vugteveen, BSW/MA
Care Services Manager, Susan Mast ALS Foundation
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Andréa Vugteveen, BSW/MA, is Care Services Manager for the Susan Mast ALS Foundation. Andréa is passionate about connecting with people, supporting them on their life journeys and connecting them to resources. She is grateful to be part of the Susan Mast ALS Foundation team supporting West Michigan families impacted by ALS.

Karla Washington, PhD, LCSW
Associate Professor, Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri

Karla T. Washington, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Palliative Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, where she studies interventions designed to promote the  biopsychosocial, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities experiencing serious and life-limiting illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and others. Much of her work utilizes digital health solutions in the related fields of hospice and palliative care. Ongoing projects include a randomized clinical trial of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for care partners in outpatient palliative care and an intervention to educate and support rural hospice family caregivers managing pain and other distressing symptoms in the home setting.