Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, the International Essential Tremor Foundation is guided by a board of directors, a medical advisory board, an executive director and full-time staff.
Board of Directors
Nathan Fiser, CFPJuly 1, 2021
Nathan has worked for the Fiser Group since 2004, where he was tasked with founding the Financial Planning Department. From the very beginning his vision was to simplify his clients lives and to help them navigate their finances in a logical and easy-to-understand way. Nathan has a true passion for learning and is interested in just about everything. This has served him well in an industry where the only constant seems to be change.
He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Kansas State University, Manhattan, and achieved his Certified Financial Planner® designation in 2009.
Nathan lives in Shawnee with his wife Alisa and two children, Kate and Wesley. On the weekends he enjoys spending time with family, golfing, cooking and supporting the Chiefs, Royals or K-State Wildcats.
Patrick McCartneyFebruary 11, 2020
Patrick McCartney was named executive director of the International Essential Tremor Foundation in August 2015.
McCartney brings 20 plus years of experience in marketing, fundraising, and non-profit management to the IETF. Before joining the IETF, he served as the executive director of the Endowment Association at Kansas City Kansas Community College where he was responsible for the administration and fund raising activities for the Endowment. He also served 10 years as the vice president of marketing for the Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce where he was responsible for all marketing, special events, and sponsorship sales for the chamber.
McCartney graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a bachelor of journalism and has a master’s degree in sports administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. He serves on the board of directors for the Tiger Club of Kansas City and the United Way of Wyandotte County along with serving on the board of elders at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
“I’m excited to continue to the great work the IETF has done and work closely with the board, staff and volunteers to build on our mission to fund research, increase awareness, and provide educational materials, tools, and support for healthcare providers, the public, and those affected by ET,” he said.
Patrick and his wife, Sharon, have been married 23 years and have two daughters.
Kelly Lyons, PhDFebruary 10, 2020
Research Professor of Neurology
Director of Research and Education
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, KS
Shari Finsilver
Shari Finsilver has served on the IETF Board of Directors since 2002, and was president from 2004 to 2006. She currently serves as vice president.
In her Detroit community, she has organized and led a highly successful essential tremor support group to help connect people who have been diagnosed with the condition.
In addition, Shari is actively involved with Henry Ford Health System, serving on the System Foundation Board, the Neuroscience Institute Council of Advisors, and the Cancer Institute.
With a master’s of science degree in industrial and operations engineering from the University of Michigan, she worked as a management engineer in a hospital setting for many years and brings her leadership skills and experience to the IETF. Looking back over her years of service, she observes:
“I have learned so much from other ET patients over the years while leading a local support group and communicating with so many via e-mail and telephone. It’s unfortunate that we are not only misunderstood by the general public when we shake uncontrollably, but we’re often easily dismissed by the medical community. It’s imperative that we continue our goal of increasing public awareness and educating both the public and professionals about essential tremor and how it can impact our daily lives and livelihood.
“The embarrassment many of us feel when we shake is causing us to allow tremor to take over our lives. Instead, we must speak up about our tremor, letting people know that we shake and that our shaking is caused by a condition called essential tremor. In doing so, we make others and ourselves much more comfortable. We don’t allow ET to define us. Please continue talking about your tremor, educating and helping others along the way. Remember what it felt like when no one understood you. Our collective voice will help us be heard. We’re in this together!”
Paul RoddenFebruary 11, 2020
Paula Nauer, MD
Paula Nauer, M.D. is a physician consultant based in Lenexa, KS. She practiced for 37 years as a family physician before retiring in 2015
Her professional history includes running a private practice, Village Family Practice, in Prairie Village, KS for 22 years, being employed by Georgetown Family Care / Shawnee Mission Medical Center for 2 years, and practicing with Encompass Medical Group in Lenexa, KS for 12 years. She practiced 7 years as an emergency room physician at Spelman Memorial Hospital, Smithville, MO and also worked in urgent care centers. She was on staff at Baptist Medical Center, Spelman Memorial Hospital, Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Board of Family Medicine. Before retirement she was a member of the American Medical Society, the Kansas Medical Society and the Johnson County Medical Society. She has served as Physician of the Day in the Kansas Legislature and was Johnson County representative for the House of Delegates/Kansas Medical Society from 1989-2008. She was Johnson County Councilor to the Kansas Medical Society from 1996-2002.
Before joining the IETF Board, Dr. Nauer had never heard of the IETF. “Tremor is so common that I feel it would be very beneficial for patients and their physicians to be aware of the resources the IETF has to offer,” she said.
Dr. Nauer graduated from Jennings Rural High School, Jennings, KS and received her undergraduate degree in pre-med at Fort Hays Kansas State College. She received her doctor of medicine from the University of Kansas Medical Center and took her family practice residency training at Goppert Family Care Center at Baptist Medical Center in Kansas City, MO.
Patrick Reidy
Patrick Reidy is an attorney at Monaco, Sanders, Racine, Powell & Reidy, L.L.C., a Kansas City area Law Firm, where he specializes in both personal injury and workers compensation law. After graduating from Rockhurst High School, Reidy received his undergraduate degree in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame in 1975. He then received his law degree from the University of Denver College of Law in 1978.
Reidy is dedicated to giving back to the Kansas City community. He has volunteered on numerous boards, and has previously served as president of the St. Thomas More Home and School Association, Notre Dame Club of Kansas City, and Rockhurst High School Alumni Association. His experience and professionalism are a welcome addition to the IETF Board of Directors.
Reidy has been married to his wife, Kelli, for 40 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Medical Advisory Board
Kelly Lyons, PhDFebruary 10, 2020
Research Professor of Neurology
Director of Research and Education
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, KS
Holly Shill , MD
Director, Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Barrow Neurological Institute
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Advisors
W. Jeffrey Elias, MD
UVA Health System
Department of Neurosurgery
Charlottesville, VA
Stuart Isaacson, MD, FAANMay 6, 2020
Director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center
Boca Raton, FL
Sheng-Han Kuo, MDFebruary 10, 2020
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Columbia University
York, NY
Sara Salles, DO
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Rodger Elble, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology
Southern IL University School of Medicine
Springfield, IL
Rajesh Pahwa, MDNovember 9, 2022
Professor of Neurology
Director, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, KS
Pravin Khemani, MDOctober 19, 2022
Swedish Neuroscience Institute
Swedish Neuroscience Specialists
Movement Disorders
550 17th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
Peter LeWitt, MDFebruary 10, 2020
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
PD & Movement Disorder Program
West Bloomfield, MI
Peter Hedera, MD
University of Louisville
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders
Louisville, KY
Publications Editorial Board
Rodger Elble , MD, PhD
Kelly Lyons, PhD
Research Professor of Neurology
Director of Research and Education
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, KS