Our Team

Amy Amara, MD, PhD (she/her/hers)
Professor of Neurology
Head, Movement Disorders Section

I earned my MD and PhD, with distinction, at the Medical College of Georgia and completed neurology residency and fellowship in both Movement Disorders and Sleep Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I treat patients with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and other forms of Parkinsonism. I also treat sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorders, restless leg syndrome, and idiopathic hypersomnia. My research interests include non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise for sleep disorders and cognitive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s disease. I am funded by the NIH and have served as a site investigator on several multi-site trials.

Sana Aslam, DO (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor of Neurology

I am a board-certified neurologist who specializes in movement disorders at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. I completed my undergraduate education at Wellesley College and medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, I completed Neurology training and a Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation Fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute.

My research interests include Parkinson’s disease and DBS as well as exercise in patients with Parkinson’s disease. I provide treatment and care for patients with Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonism, tremor, dystonia, ataxia, chorea, tics, and restless leg syndrome. I also perform botulinum toxin injections for dystonia, spasticity, and other neurological conditions, as well as deep brain stimulation programming for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. I see patients at the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Alexander Baumgartner, MD (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery

I am a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders and a particular focus on deep brain stimulation (DBS). I obtained my medical degree at Brown University and completed my internship and residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, where I served as chief resident in my final year. I completed my movement disorders fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

My clinical expertise includes the management of movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonism, tremor, ataxia, dystonia, chorea, tics/Tourette syndrome, restless leg syndrome, and myoclonus. I perform procedures including botulinum toxin injection and DBS programming. I also perform electrophysiological monitoring and intraoperative assessments during DBS surgery. My research interest is in non-motor Parkinson disease symptoms, with a particular interest in how these symptoms might be affected by advanced therapies, including DBS. I am a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, and the Society for Neuroscience.

I see patients at the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and UCHealth Lone Tree Medical Center.

Jeanne Feuerstein, MD (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor of Neurology

I am a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurologist specializing in Movement Disorders. My research focuses on non-motor features of dystonia, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s disease. I am particularly interested in REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and PTSD. The majority of my clinical practice is at the Eastern Colorado VA Medical Center, although I also see patients at the University of Colorado Hospital.

Emily Forbes, DO, MS (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Director, HDSA Center of Excellence at the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center

I am a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders. I attended medical school at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. During my time in medical school, I was awarded an Academic Medicine Scholarship and earned a Master’s Degree in addition to a Medical Degree. I went on to complete an internship in medicine and a residency in neurology at the University of Colorado Hospital. I then completed a two-year fellowship at The University of Pennsylvania Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PDMDC) and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center (PADRECC).

During my fellowship training, I developed clinical expertise in movement disorders, as well as expertise in performing procedures including botulinum toxin injections for dystonia and spasticity. My clinical interests include Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonism, ataxia, balance disorders, chorea, dystonia, and genetic causes of neurologic diseases. I also program deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia.

My research interests include understanding factors that affect the progression of Parkinson’s disease, cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease, and understanding the genetic basis of neurologic diseases.I am a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society.

Michelle Fullard, MD, MSCE (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Director of Research, Movement Disorders Center
Director, Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence

I am a board-certified neurologist who specializes in Movement Disorders at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. I completed undergraduate and medical school education at Vanderbilt University. Following medical school, I completed neurology training at the University of Virginia and movement disorders training at they University of Pennsylvania. While at the University of Pennsylvania, I also obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. My research focuses on disparities in outcomes and care for patients with Parkinson’s disease. I provide treatment and care for patients with Parkinson’s disease, atypical Parkinsonism, dystonia, ataxia, chorea, tics, restless leg syndrome, and myoclonus. I also perform botulinum toxin injections for dystonia, spasticity, and other neurologic conditions, as well as deep brain stimulation programming for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. I see patients at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Trevor Hawkins, MD (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Director, Movement Disorders Fellowship Program
Director, National Ataxia Foundation Center of Excellence

I am a board-certified neurologist with subspeciality expertise in movement disorders. I provide treatment and care for patients with Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson plus syndromes, Lewy Body disease, Huntington’s disease, dystonia, Tourette, tics, chorea, ataxia, Restless Leg Syndrome, myoclonus, drug-induced movement disorders, Essential Tremor, and tremor. In addtion, I perform botulinum toxin injections for neurological disorders and have expertise in deep brain stimulation for movement disorders. I have particular research interests in genetic and clinical causes of ataxia as well as Huntington’s Disease. I current see patients at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and the VA Medical Center. I also see Medicaid patients through a telehealth program.

Drew Kern, MD, MS, FAAN (he/him/his)
Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery
Co-director, Advanced Therapies for Movement Disorders Program

I am a board-certified and fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. I completed my neurology residency at the University of Colorado. I then completed my clinical fellowship in movement disorders under the mentorship of Dr. Anthony Lang and my deep brain stimulation training under the supervision of Dr. Alfonso Fasano at the Toronto Western Hospital.

My research is focused on advanced treatment options for movement disorders. I study novel drug delivery systems, improving the targeting of DBS, optimizing DBS programming, identifying potential gender discrepancies in DBS, and improving our understanding of neuropathological circuitry.

Michael Korsmo, MD (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor of Neurology

I am a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders. I received my medical degree from Tulane University and completed my residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. I completed my fellowship in movement disorders at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

I see patients at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, UCHealth Boulder Health Center, and Denver Health.

Jessica Barr, PA-C (she/her/hers)
Senior Instructor, Neurology

I am a board-certified Physician Assistant who graduated from the University of Colorado’s Physician Assistant Program. I specialize in Movement Disorders. I see patients with a variety of movement disorders at UCHealth at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora nad in Boulder. I work with deep rain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor. I also work with the Duopa program for Parkinson’s disease. I help facilitate and run the Parkinson’s disease Interdisciplinary Clinic which includes an evaluation with PT/OT/ST. I established and help run the Newly Diagnosed and Advanced Parkinson’s disease education visits. My research is focused on Parkinson’s disease.

Dorothy Mathiesen MSN, APRN, FNP-C (she/her/hers)
Instructor of Neurology

I am a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Regis University. I completed my graduate education with a Master of Leadership in Health Care Systems and a certificate in Health Care Education. I returned to accomplish a post-master’s certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have a special interest in the holistic treatment of patients with movement disorders. I currently see patients at UCHealth at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and the UCHealth Lone Tree Medical Center.

Maureen Leehey, MD, FAAN (she/her/hers)
Professor Emerita

I am board-certified in Neurology and fellowship-trained in movement disorders.  I received my medical degree from the University of Texas School of Medicine at Houston.  For my residency and fellowship, I attended the University of Colorado.

I have mentored many neurologists throughout these years and have managed thousands of patients with Parkinson disease. 

I was chosen by Colorado Governor Jared Polis to be a part of the Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board.

One of my major areas of research is the methodology and conduct of clinical trials.  I have done over 25 clinical trials; most of these have been on Parkinson disease.  I was the lead investigator in the International Parkinson Disease Study Group.  My most current research focused on how well CBD treats the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Heather Baer, MD
Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

I am a neurorehabilitation expert physiatrist with additional fellowship training in movement disorders. I see a diverse group of patients with impairments and disabilities that result from central and peripheral nervous system dysfunctions, including all forms of movement disorders. I see patients at UCHealth at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and at UCHealth in Boulder

Samantha Holden, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Neurology (Movement Disorders & Behavioral Neurology Sections)

I am a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in Movement Disorders and Behavioral Neurology which were both completed at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. I am interested in conditions that present with symptoms affecting both cognition and movement, such as Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease with Parkinsonism.

Daniel Kramer, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery

I grew up in Chicago before attending Northwestern University for undergraduate and the University of Pennsylvania for medical school.  I completed my neurosurgical training at the University of Southern California, then attended Stanford University for a fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.

I have a clinical interest in surgical treatments for movement disorders, epilepsy, and facial pain.  I have a particular interest in resections for epilepsy, laser therapy, responsive neural stimulators, MR-guided focused ultrasound treatments, new applications for deep brain stimulation, and microvascular decompressions for disorders like trigeminal neuralgia.

My research areas are focused on the interpretation of neural signals and the communication between brain areas, particularly to produce movement and somatosensation.  I spent a dedicated research year under an NIH grant at CalTech, working on a brain-computer interface, where the human brain interfaces directly with machines to restore motor and sensory function to paralyzed individuals, and went on to continue this type of work at Stanford.  I am currently collaborating to develop a brain-computer interface program at CU.

In my free time, I enjoy ultra-running, concerts, and finding an excuse to be outdoors.

Steven Ojemann, MD
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Director, Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery
Co-director, Deep Brain Stimulation Program

Victoria Pelak, MD 
Professor of Neurology & Ophthalmology 

I specialize in visual changes with neurodegeneration. I believe in patient-centered care, which means the patient’s needs are at the center of the visit.

Dr. Pelak attended medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She completed her residency and fellowship at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Antonia Pusso, MD
Assistant Professor (Neuropalliative Care)

I obtained my bachelor degree in Neuroscience at University of Virginia. I then went to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD for two years prior to medical school, and then returned to Virginia where I completed medical school at University of Virginia. I completed her medical internship and neurology residency in Boston at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where I served as Chief Resident in her final year. I completed a two-year fellowship in movement disorders and then a fellowship in palliative care.

Christina Vaughan, MD, MHS, MS
Associate Professor of Neurology (Neuropalliative Care)

I joined the Neuropalliative team in August 2017. I took over as the program director in July 2019. I am a board-certified neurologist and am fellowship-trained in Movement Disorders and Palliative care. I practiced as a Movement Disorders specialist for several years before deciding to practice in a more comprehensive way. I completed a year-long fellowship in Palliative medicine and gained more in-depth experience in the management of physical, psychological, spiritual, and social symptoms in an effort to optimize the quality of life for patients and families. 

I am particularly interested in self-image in the face of illness and knowing patients in the context of their lives. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine my passion for neurology with the palliative care approach and grateful to be working with an outstanding team. A native of Buffalo, NY, I am no stranger to winter weather and have been enjoying exploring the beautiful outdoors of Colorado.

Ece Bayram, MD, PhD (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor of Neurology

Born and raised in the hometown of Kebabs, Adana in Turkey, I earned my MD and PhD at Ankara University in Turkey. I completed research fellowships at Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas and University of California San Diego. As a clinical researcher, I am committed to research, education, and outreach in the field of Parkinsonian disorders, to raise awareness and to support the community and trainees. My research is focused on sex, gender, ethnicity, and race differences in Parkinsonian disorders and funded by the NIH and Lewy Body Dementia Association. I have served in leadership roles at professional societies including International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Lewy Body Dementias Professional Interest Area, and Lewy Body Dementia Association. I also volunteer for several local and international outreach and education programs to support underserved populations, provide education, and improve representation in science.

Isabelle Buard, PhD
Assistant Research Professor of Neurology
Associate Director of Research, Movement Disorders Center

I am a neurophysiologist with a unique scientific trajectory from lab bench to pre-clinical and clinical research. I have studied brain correlates of motor development, function and dysfunction using diverse models, ranging from single brain cells to neuronal networks, in both animals and humans with or without neurological disorders. 

The focus of my current research is on the neurophysiology of motor dysfunction in movement disorders, particularly understanding the underlying neuropathophysiology and testing novel treatment approaches using diverse brain imaging techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG), electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). I am also investigating the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a tool to modulate brain networks dynamic and assess excitation/inhibition (im)balance in cortical regions. Finally, I am integrating these state-of-the-art techniques with experimental paradigms relying on the neurophysiological analysis of sensorimotor control to provide an inclusive view of the neural control of movement.