Medical Leadership

James M. Schumacher, M.D., is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon and diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He completed his medical degree from the University of Washington, Seattle. Dr. Schumacher completed the Halstead Internship in General Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, and a residency in neurosurgery with the Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. He became a research fellow at Harvard Medical School and was awarded a fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Dr. Schumacher has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles related to neurosurgery and neuroscience. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurosurgery, Society of Neuroscience and numerous other professional medical associations. Dr. Schumacher has served as director of neuroscience for the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and is a research associate at Harvard Medical School involved in Stem Cell technology.

Ricardo Gonzalez, D.D.S., M.D., is a fellowship-trained Movement Disorders Specialist based in Sarasota, Florida, affiliated with Intercoastal Medical Group in Lakewood Ranch and treating patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital, and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

With more than 20 years of experience, he is dedicated to advancing care for individuals living with Parkinson’s and educating the community, regularly presenting at Parkinson Place on topics such as complementary therapies, sleep disorders in Parkinson’s, essential tremor treatments, including deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound, and restless leg syndrome.

Dr. Gonzalez earned his medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and completed his neurology residency and fellowship in movement disorders at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., bringing extensive clinical expertise and a strong commitment to ongoing neurological research to the Parkinson’s community.

Thomas N. Chase, S.B., M.D., brings more than 40 years of experience in the discovery and clinical development of therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. He began his career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he conducted pioneering research in neurological disease, and later served as the founding CEO of Hamilton Pharmaceuticals, leading efforts to translate scientific discoveries into innovative treatments.

Dr. Chase is widely recognized for his contributions to advancing therapies for neurological conditions and for bridging the gap between research and clinical care. His work has played a significant role in shaping modern approaches to CNS drug development.

Kathleen Clarence-Smith, M.D., Ph.D., is an internationally recognized neurologist whose career has focused on the development of innovative pharmaceuticals, guiding therapies from early research through clinical trials and into the marketplace. With deep expertise in neurological disorders, she has played a key role in advancing treatments that improve patient care and quality of life.

Dr. Clarence-Smith is known for her ability to bridge scientific discovery and practical application, helping translate complex research into effective, accessible therapies for individuals living with neurological conditions.

Abraham Lieberman, M.D., is the Medical Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at New York University–Bellevue Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in pharmacology at New York University Medical Center.

An internationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Lieberman played a key role in developing the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute. His work has helped advance comprehensive care models that integrate medical treatment with wellness programs and support services for individuals living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.