top of page

ABOUT PANC

Happy Senior Couple

Our Story

The Parkinson Association of Northern California (PANC) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Parkinson's (PWP), their families and care partners throughout our region. It was founded in 1996 in the garage of an individual who desperately wanted support and resources to care for their loved one with Parkinson's disease. 

 

Today, we facilitate 50 support groups for people with Parkinson's, care partners, young onset individuals, and others. We also provide services, resources, and education to the PD community. 

 

PANC is an independent Parkinson’s organization dedicated to serve our local community. All funding stays in NorCal to help those that need it most. We are extremely proud of the work that we do and the number of individuals who we collectively support each year. Thank you to the many generous individuals who help to sustain the mission of PANC by making donations of both time and money. We couldn't do this without you! 

PANC Board of Directors

Boad of Directors
thumbnail_starkeyHarry.jpg

Harry Starkey

President

Harry is a water resource engineer in California's Central Valley and has served on many nonprofit and professional Boards, including Rotary International, hospital foundations, water districts, and the Tree  Foundation of Kern County.  Harry was diagnosed with PD in 2023 and since then has been exercising rigorously, advocating for PD legislatively on both state and federal issues, and volunteering in the PD community.  His goal is to strengthen the PD support community and advance awareness of exercise for the treatment of PD.

Jennifer Westoby.jpg

Jennifer Westoby

Vice President

Jen is a retired account manager, having worked with several high-tech companies in the Bay Area.  Her second career was as a British-trained riding instructor. She loves teaching horse riding to all ages, but especially children with disabilities.  Jen was diagnosed with Parkinson's

in 2019, runs two support groups, is the PANC support group chairperson, and exercises regularly with fellow PD friends

picturekim (1)_edited.jpg

Kim Hawkins, RN

Secretary

Kim is a retired registered nurse. She founded and is the director of the Dignity Redding Parkinson's Support Group. The group started in 2012 and now hosts multiple exercise, speech/swallow, and support groups monthly plus hosts a successful annual conference in April of each year. Kim serves on a number of PANC committees and is a long-time and dedicated servant to the PD community. 

George Mazzotta Headshot.jpeg

George Mazzotta

Treasurer

George is retired from a 30-year career in Corporate Finance, during which he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of private and public multinational companies. George was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2022 and immediately thereafter enrolled in the clinical study “Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative,” (PPMI) through the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at UCSF. As Treasurer, George serves on the PANC

Executive/Finance Committee and on the Executive Committee of our partner organization, Sailiing4Parkinsons.

Myron.jpg

Myron Jantzen

Immediate Past President

​​​​​​Myron is our longest-serving member
of the PANC Board of Directors. He was a care partner to his late wife, Joan, who battled PD. He is a retired educator, active in the River City Chorale and leads the Elk Grove Support Groups for both PD and care partners. Myron has served on numerous PANC committees and has made significant contributions to the growth and success of PANC.

Bostrom_Anders.jpg

Anders Bostrom, Esq.

Director

Anders is a corporate and healthcare attorney who counsels California businesses, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations. With a close relative experiencing PD, he is inspired to make a difference in the lives of those living with it. Anders brings his legal and business experience to the PANC Board will a goal to expand resources, support, and advocacy efforts for those affected by PD.

IMG_2983.HEIC

Tom Cadman

Director

Tom is a semi-retired fence contractor living in Sacramento and a care partner to his wife with PD. They have been on the PD journey for nearly half of their 41-year relationship. Tom has been a member of a PANC support group for many years, serves on several PANC committees and as our lead community liaison by participating at community events providing education and resources to those affected by PD. 

Katelyn Epstein.jpg

Katelyn Epstein

Director

Katelyn works in the medical
industry for Insightec, specializing in advanced treatment options for patients with PD (focused ultrasound). Her goals in the Parkinson's arena are to drive advancements in innovative care, create greater awareness about all things PD, make a meaningful impact on the lives of those battling PD, and ensure they receive the support and treatment they deserve.

Gillian.jpg

Gillian Galligan

Director

Gillian is an executive neuroscience sales representative at Acadia Pharmaceuticals. She is a liaison to the medical community and is active with many PD advocacy organizations including PANC, the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J Fox Foundation. She is a board member of the West Coast Reining Horse Association and past president and board member of the Appaloosa Reining Horse Association.

Kristina Hart D.O..jpg

Kristina Hart, D.O.

Director

Dr. Hart is a Movement Disorder specialist with University of California Davis in Sacramento.  She has a special interest in PD, PSP and MSA and has training in using Deep Brain Stimulator(DBS) programming and botox injections for neurologic disorders.  She hopes to further community outreach and research to improve the understanding of and care for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease and related disorders.

Chris Mcilwain_edited.jpg

Chris McIlwain

Director

Chris is a mechanical engineer
turned contractor and owns
McIlwain Mobility Solutions in the greater Sacramento area.
His specialty is helping people
increase their independence in-home and out plus the ability to enjoy the
great outdoors.  He serves on many PANC committees and provides both mechanical and equipment guidance to the staff and Board. His goal is to inspire the PD community with outdoor mobility equipment to keep moving!

Edna Ochoa.jpg

Edna Ochoa

Director

Edna serves as a community liaison for Advanced Hospice in Sacramento County. She is passionate about supporting families affected by Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and leads support groups dedicated to education, encouragement, and community.  She facilitates two PANC PD support groups for veterans and finds joy traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with family. Edna carries a deep appreciation for life and a heartfelt commitment to those she serves.

 

yellow and blues relaxing northern california sunrise.jpg

Allen Schaad, Pharm.D.

Director

Allen is retired pharmacist recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. He has served on the California State Board of Pharmacy, Sacramento Hospital Pharmacists Association, the California Health Systems Pharmacists Association, and the Medi-Cal Prescription Review Board. Allen's goal is to guide others with PD to support, education, and services.

 

Buck.jpg

Buck Shaw

Director

Buck has been the owner of Home Instead Senior Care for 27 years. It was founded after he cared for his father for over a decade which gave him a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards that caregivers face. He has served on the boards of the Sacramento Mental Health and Aging Association, Del Oro Caregivers Resource Center, was the co-chair for The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, and created The Sacramento "Be a Santa to a Senior" program.

 

Staff

Our Staff

Jan and Shelley.jpg

Executive Director

Jan Whitney

707-582-3624

Jan contributes over 30 years of non-profit management experience to the leadership of PANC. She loves the people involved with PANC and enjoys non-work time with her family and dog Zen, workouts with the Speakeasy crew, kayaking, yoga, live music, and fly-fishing adventures. 

Sara.jpg

Programs Manager

Sara Willen

916-357-6641

Sara has over 15 years of experience in marketing and program management in the high-tech industry, most recently at Intel. She is the proud mom of two sons and engaged in her community through volunteer support at their schools, including assisting athletic teams, coordinating fundraising efforts, and contributing to local initiatives.​

maria.jpg

Business Operations Manager

Maria Ramirez

916-357-6641

Maria has a background working in non-profits and disability programs, she is bilingual and has a giant heart.

From Maria, "As a mother, daughter, and granddaughter, I believe strength comes from family and community.  I’m proud to be at PANC , where I can deliver both care and dedication to support those of you living with PD and your loved ones.

Medical Advisory Panel

Medical Advisory Panel

PANC's Medical Advisory Panel is comprised of highly qualified PD medical professionals and therapists who provide invaluable guidance and expertise to the staff and volunteers of the organization. They collaborate on issues that benefit the entire PD community and meet quarterly at a "Journal Club" event to learn and discuss topics of common interest. 

Kaiser Permanente

Suketu Khandhar, M.D.

Miguel Ruvalcaba, M.D. ​

Meghan Anderson, N.P.

Jennifer Liu, PT,  DPT, NCS

Jeanine Perry, PT (retired)

Kaiser Rehabilitation Services

Christine Shade, PT, DPT, NCS 

Erin Hornig, PT, DPT, NCS  

UC Davis

Norika Malhado-Chang, M.D.

Jonathan Snider, M.D.

​Lin Zhang, M.D.

Laura Sperry, N.P.

Sutter Medical Group

Erica Byrd, M.D.

Steven Nakano, M.D. ​

Nicklesh Thakur, D.O.

Fred Weiland, M.D., FACNM

Linda Ramatowski, F.N.P.

Dignity Health

Ehsan Hadi, M.D.​

Veterans Administration

Mai Vuong, M. D.

kaiser-permanente-logo-png-transparent-300x300.png
UCDavisHealth_color_digital.png
Sutter1.png
Wide-Full-Color-on-Light.png

Our Mission

The Parkinson Association of Northern California is an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Parkinson's, their families, and care partners throughout our region. 

La Asociación de Parkinson del Norte de California se dedica a mejorar la vida de las personas con Parkinson, sus familias y los compañeros de cuidado. 

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
IPN_Member_Website_Badge.png

The Parkinson Association of Northern California is pleased to be a member of Independent Parkinson’s Network (IPN), a consortium of organizations with common goals including 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. IPN members must demonstrate their credentials as independent nonprofit entities and provide programs and services that aim to improve the quality of life for all those affected by Parkinson's disease. To learn more about IPN, click here.

The Parkinson Association of Northern California is a 501(C)3 registered non-profit organization  #68-0372037

©2026 by Parkinson Association of Northern California

with assistance from Viven Patel and Ansley Madrigal.

bottom of page