Dr. Sneha Mantri, a nationally recognized Indian American neurologist and clinician-educator, has been appointed as the first Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Parkinson’s Foundation. This landmark appointment will see her lead the medical and clinical direction of the organization’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD) through research, education, and patient care.
In this newly created role, Dr. Mantri will help define the strategic and operational direction of the Foundation’s care programs, ensuring they remain effective, scalable, and patient-centered, according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to introduce the role of Chief Medical Officer and welcome Dr. Mantri to our executive leadership team,” said John L. Lehr, President and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Her dedication to improving the lives of individuals with PD will be invaluable as we continue to support over one million people living with this disease in the U.S.”
Dr. Mantri currently serves as an Associate Professor of Neurology at Duke University, where her work focuses on interprofessional care models, the patient and family experience, and the integration of health humanities into clinical practice.
Reflecting on her journey, Mantri said, “During my neurology residency, I was deeply moved by the stories of people with Parkinson’s disease. Each journey is unique, and I strive to understand my patients as individuals first, tailoring treatments to align with their personal goals. I’m excited to bring that philosophy of care into this new role.”
An accomplished principal investigator in health equity and clinical research, Dr. Mantri has a track record of translating complex scientific findings into accessible knowledge for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. She has also developed medical education curricula and currently leads narrative medicine workshops, efforts that have earned her recognition from both the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology.
At Duke, Dr. Mantri has spearheaded collaborations with the Margolis Institute for Health Policy, the Duke Clinical Leadership Program, and East Carolina University to improve outreach in rural and underserved communities. Since 2019, she has led THRIVE-PD, an innovative, early-intervention, team-based care model for individuals living with Parkinson’s across the Carolinas.
Her work has been featured in a PBS-NC panel discussion highlighting integrated, interprofessional approaches to care. Recently selected as a Macy Faculty Scholar, Dr. Mantri plans to expand her humanistic, community-engaged approach in advanced practice nursing and allied health education.
Dr. Mantri received her medical degree from Columbia University, followed by a neurology residency at the University of Virginia and a movement disorders fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Since 2018, she has served on the faculty at Duke University and will continue to care for patients part-time at the Duke Movement Disorders Center.