Parkinson's Leaders Appointed to Federal Advisory Council

MJFF CEO and Patient Council Member to Guide National Parkinson's Project

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:09pm

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An ethereal, ghostly X-ray image showing the complex neural pathways and structures of the human brain, conveying the scientific complexity of Parkinson's disease and the need for innovative research to find treatments and cures.Groundbreaking federal initiative aims to accelerate Parkinson's research and improve care for the over 1.2 million Americans living with the disease.Midland Today

The Michael J. Fox Foundation announced that its CEO Deborah W. Brooks and Patient Council member Israel Robledo have been appointed to the inaugural Federal Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care and Services. The council will guide the development and implementation of the National Parkinson's Project, a comprehensive national strategy to end Parkinson's disease.

Why it matters

Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the U.S., affecting over 1.2 million people. The National Parkinson's Project marks a transformative moment in how the U.S. approaches Parkinson's, bringing new levels of ambition, collaboration and accountability to accelerate research and unlock breakthroughs.

The details

The newly established advisory council includes representatives from federal agencies and 10 independent and private sector appointees. Authorized by Congress in 2024, the National Parkinson's Project is a whole-of-government initiative that aims to align federal agencies, accelerate scientific progress and improve care, with the ultimate goals of preventing, diagnosing, treating and curing Parkinson's.

  • The National Parkinson's Project was authorized by Congress and signed into law in 2024.
  • The Federal Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care and Services was newly established in 2026.

The players

Deborah W. Brooks

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Israel Robledo

Member of the MJFF Patient Council and a special education teacher from Midland, Texas who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease at age 42.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

The world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, dedicated to accelerating a cure and improved therapies.

National Parkinson's Project

A comprehensive national strategy to end Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonisms, developed and implemented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Federal Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care and Services

The newly established advisory body that will guide the development and implementation of the National Parkinson's Project.

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What they’re saying

“The National Parkinson's Project marks a transformative moment in how the United States approaches Parkinson's, bringing new levels of ambition, collaboration and accountability.”

— Deborah W. Brooks, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, The Michael J. Fox Foundation

“As someone who has lived with Parkinson's for nearly two decades and spent much of that time advocating for better treatments and quality of life, I'm proud to represent the patient community in developing a national strategy that moves us closer to ending Parkinson's for good.”

— Israel Robledo, MJFF Patient Council Member

What’s next

The NPP Advisory Council will provide recommendations to HHS on research priorities, access to care and services, and strategies to reduce the burden of Parkinson's. It will also monitor progress and report to Congress at regular intervals.

The takeaway

This national initiative represents a transformative moment in the fight against Parkinson's, aligning federal efforts, accelerating investment in research, and working to unlock breakthroughs that can change the trajectory of this fast-growing neurological disease.