SAN DIEGO MOVEMENT DISORDER SPECIALISTS

DO YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GENERAL NEUROLOGIST AND A MOVEMENT DIS0RDER SPECIALIST?

General neurologists treat more than 100 neurological conditions. Movement disorder specialists are neurologists who must complete a two-year fellowship in movement disorders beyond general neurology and training specifically to treat patients with diagnoses of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, essential tremor, dystonia, and various Parkinsonisms. They keep abreast of new and potential treatments and medications and can address each patient’s care needs with specialized expertise.

The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego encourages every person with a movement disorder to see a neurologist that specializes in movement disorders, at least annually.

THE PARKINSON’S ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO (PASD) IS PROVIDING THIS LISTING OF MOVEMENT DISORDER SPECIALISTS AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE ONLY. PASD DOES NOT ENDORSE A CERTAIN PHYSICIAN(S).

New physicians are added periodically. PASD is very appreciative of the support of our local physicians.

 

Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center

Melissa Houser, M.D.

Position: Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center
Phone: 858-554-8864
Categories: MDS
Location: Scripps Clinic

Dr. Houser is the Director of the Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorder Center at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, CA.

She is a board certified neurologist with neurophysiology and movement disorders fellowships. She and her team specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, parkinsonism, dystonia, myoclonus, tics, tremor and conditions requiring botulinum toxin injections. Her clinical focus is on an integrative team approach to treatment and her research interests lie in stem cell therapy and other bio implantable or bio mechanical therapies for Parkinson’s disease and dystonia.

Melissa Houser, M.D.

Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center

Dr. Houser is the Director of the Parkinson’s disease and...

Nelson Hwynn, DO

Position: Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center
Phone: 858-554-8864
Categories: MDS
Location: Scripps Clinic

Nelson Hwynn, DO is a neurologist with Scripps Clinic. He treats a variety of neurological conditions and has subspecialty fellowship training in the area of movement disorders including tremors, Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, Tourette’s syndrome, and ataxia. He has had extensive training in administering botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for disorders such as cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and spasticity. Dr. Hwynn is the co-director of the Scripps Clinic deep brain stimulation (DBS) program with neurosurgeon, Dr. Adam Burdick, and has expertise in evaluating and managing patients with this surgery.

Nelson Hwynn, DO

Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center

Nelson Hwynn, DO is a neurologist with Scripps Clinic. He...

Sherrie Gould, NP

Position: Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center
Phone: 858-554-8864
Categories: MDS
Location: Scripps Clinic

Sherrie Gould NP currently works as a Movement Disorders Nurse Practitioner at the Scripps Clinic Center for Neurorestoration in La Jolla, CA. She is currently an “expert nurse program educator” nationally and speaks to patients from around the country about DBS. She serves as faculty for Medtronic teaching the art and science of DBS to other professionals around the country.

She is on a number of Advisory Councils for Parkinson’s disease and speaks around the country to groups on Parkinson’s disease and various treatments.

Her passion is empowering people with Parkinson’s to reach lofty goals and as a consequence has lead trips around the globe with people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to Kilimanjaro, base camp of Everest, Machu Picchu and more recently the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

She was awarded the Health Hero Award in both 2011 and 2013 for her commitment to the Parkinson’s community. Sherrie was recognized by CANP for her commitment to Parkinson’s research in 2014. She was given the NP Award of Distinction by the California Association of Nurse Practitioner in 2018.

Sherrie Gould, NP

Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center

Sherrie Gould NP currently works as a Movement Disorders Nurse...

Andrea Lee, PA-C

Position: Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center
Phone: 858-554-8864
Categories: MDS
Location: Scripps Clinic

Andrea Lee, PA-C currently works for Scripps Clinic in neurology. She cares for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. She is experienced in management of deep brain stimulation as well as administration of botulinum toxin to treat a variety of neurologic conditions.

Andrea received her Master of Medical Science degree from Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, CA. She was the recipient of the Award for Academic Excellence and served as a peer tutor for her classmates. She continues to be involved in the education of PA students both in the classroom and in clinic.

Andrea Lee, PA-C

Scripps Clinic Movement Disorder Center

Andrea Lee, PA-C currently works for Scripps Clinic in neurology....

University of California San Diego

David Coughlin, MD

Position: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Phone: 858-657-8540
Categories: MDS
Location: UCSD

David Coughlin, MD, MTR, is a board-certified neurologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, tremor, essential tremor, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy, corticobasal syndrome, dementia with lewy bodies, ataxia, dystonia, myoclonus, drug-induced movement disorders, and gait abnormalities.

He is experienced in the use of botulinum toxin for hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, limb dystonias and sialorrhea (drooling or excessive salivation). Dr. Coughlin is also skilled in patient selection and post-operative management of deep brain stimulation.

As an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosciences, Dr. Coughlin trains medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

He completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also did his neurology residency. He earned his medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Coughlin also holds a master’s degree in translational research from University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and completed a Healthcare Leadership and Quality Improvement Certificate Training program at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Coughlin is a recipient of the 2019 American Academy of Neurology Healthcare Quality and Safety Award and the 2019 American Academy of Neurology/American Brain Foundation clinical research training scholarship in Parkinson’s Disease. His work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals.

He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association, and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Dr. Coughlin’s personal interests include running and rowing.

David Coughlin, MD

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

David Coughlin, MD, MTR, is a board-certified neurologist specializing in...

Robert Hess, MD

Position: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Phone: 858-657-8540
Categories: MDS
Location: UCSD

Robert Hess, MD, is a board-certified neurologist who specializes in caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

As an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosciences, he is involved in training medical students, residents and fellows. His research interests include end-of-life care in patients with atypical Parkinsonism disorders.

Dr. Hess completed a fellowship in movement disorders at UC San Diego School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency in neurology, serving as chief resident in his final year. He earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago.

 

Robert Hess, MD

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Robert Hess, MD, is a board-certified neurologist who specializes in...

Stephanie Lessig, MD

Position: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Phone: 858-657-8540
Categories: MDS
Location: UCSD

Dr. Lessig is a board-certified neurologist at UC San Diego Health and the VA San Diego Healthcare System. She regularly treats patients for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, including administration of botulinum toxin and management of deep brain stimulation. Dr. Lessig is involved in both basic research and clinical trials, with a clinical research focus on Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonian disorders.

Stephanie Lessig, MD

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Dr. Lessig is a board-certified neurologist at UC San Diego...

Katherine Longardner, MD

Position: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Phone: 858-657-8540
Categories: MDS
Location: UCSD

Dr. Longardner is a movement disorders neurologist who evaluates and takes care of patients with conditions including Parkinson disease/parkinsonism, tremor, dystonia, chorea, ataxia, and tics. Her research focuses on parkinsonian non-motor symptoms, especially the relationship between orthostatic hypotension and cognition. She is also interested in using non-invasive electrophysiological techniques to diagnose tremor and other types of involuntary movements.

Katherine Longardner, MD

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Dr. Longardner is a movement disorders neurologist who evaluates and...

Caitlin Mulligan, MD

Position: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Phone: 858-657-8540
Categories: MDS
Location: UCSD

Caitlin Mulligan, MD, is a board-certified neurologist who treats patients with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia, or other gait and balance problems. She has expertise and special interest in deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a tool to treat movement disorders, as well as botulinum toxin injections.

As an assistant professor of in the Department of Neurosciences, Dr. Mulligan trains medical students, residents and fellows. She recently co-authored a review on the diagnosis and management of Wilson’s disease and was a coauthor on a recent paper about developing a residency curriculum to teach resiliency skills to neurology residents.

Dr. Mulligan completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, where she also did her residency and served as chief resident. She earned her medical degree from the UC San Diego School of Medicine.

She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the Movement Disorders Society (MDS).

In her free time. Dr. Mulligan enjoys nature and spending time with her family.

Caitlin Mulligan, MD

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Caitlin Mulligan, MD, is a board-certified neurologist who treats patients...

Kathy Huynh, NP-C

Position: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Phone: 858-657-8540
Categories: MDS
Location: UCSD

Ms. Huynh graduated from UCSD graduating in 2000 with a BS in biochemistry and cell biology. She was licensed as a registered nurse in 2007 and obtained her MS in Nursing in 2010 from Samuel Merritt University. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner.s.

Kathy Huynh, NP-C

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Ms. Huynh graduated from UCSD graduating in 2000 with a...

Sharp Rees-Stealy

Justin Nowell, MD

Position: Sharp Movement Disorder Clinic
Phone: 619-446-1539
Categories: MDS
Location: Sharp

Movement Disorder Specialist, 300 Fir Street San Diego, CA. 92101.

Justin Nowell, MD

Sharp Movement Disorder Clinic

Movement Disorder Specialist, 300 Fir Street San Diego, CA. 92101.

The Neurology Center of Southern California

Irene Oh, M.D.

Position: The Neurology Center of Southern California
Phone: 760-631-3000
Categories: MDS
Location: Neurology Center

Dr. Oh joined the Neurology Center in 2009. She grew up and trained in Texas. She received her undergraduate degree at Rice University and medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. She completed her residency in Neurology and fellowship in Movement Disorders at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Oh has a special interest in Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. She is experienced in the management of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. She also is experienced in using botulinum toxin injections for dystonia and spasticity and in managing intrathecal baclofen pumps for spasticity.

Dr. Oh has privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas and Tri-City Medical Center at Oceanside. She works at our Carlsbad and Escondido offices. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and Movement Disorders Society.

Irene Oh, M.D.

The Neurology Center of Southern California

Dr. Oh joined the Neurology Center in 2009. She grew...

The Neuron Clinic

Ana Hossein Zadeh Maleki, MD

Phone: 619-425-3840
Categories: MDS
Location: Neuron Clinic

Dr. Maleki finished her medical school in Iran and completed her neurology residency at University of Tennessee health Science center. Later, she did one year fellowship in the movement disorder at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Currently she is a neurology faculty at Loma Linda University.

The Neuron Clinic
450 4TH Avenue #215 | Chula Vista, CA 91910 | 619-425-3840 office | 619-425-3842 fax

The Neuron Clinic
838 Nordahl Road #200 | San Marcos, CA 92069 | 760-281-3662 office | 760-316-5268 fax

Ana Hossein Zadeh Maleki, MD

Dr. Maleki finished her medical school in Iran and completed...

Kaiser Permanente

Rupa Lekh Nanavati, MD

Position: Kaiser Permanente
Phone: 619-528-5000
Categories: MDS
Location: Kaiser Permanente

I was born in England, where I also grew up and did all my undergraduate medical training. People are often surprised to hear my British accent on seeing that I am an Indian woman living in the U.S.! I moved to the U.S. to do my residency. I was in Houston for my neurology residency and epilepsy fellowship. My husband and I moved to San Diego and I did my second fellowship in movement disorders at UC San Diego. When I am not working, I love to travel and enjoy all the wonderful leisure activities San Diego has to offer. My husband and I enjoy eating out and I am always happy to get people’s recommendations on their favorite eating spots!

I specialize in treating movement disorders, and so I spend much of my time treating patients with Parkinson’s disease. I am also trained in the management of patients who have had deep brain stimulation surgery. Another area of interest for me is the management of patients with epilepsy. However, I enjoy seeing patients with a wide variety of general neurological problems, as it keeps my day interesting.

Rupa Lekh Nanavati, MD

Kaiser Permanente

I was born in England, where I also grew up...

Rita Ceponiene, MD

Position: Kaiser Permanente
Phone: 619-528-5000
Categories: MDS
Location: Kaiser Permanente

I graduated from medical school in Vilnius, Lithuania, attending one of the oldest universities in Europe. After brief post-graduate training in neurology in Vilnius, I moved to Helsinki, Finland, to complete a Ph.D. in neuroscience, which I defended in 2002, graduating magna cum laude. My post-doctoral training brought me to UC San Diego, and although I was very successful in research, I missed the feeling of helping patients. So I re-did an internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan (loved it there!) and a residency in adult neurology, followed by a movement disorders fellowship at UC San Diego Medical Center, lead by one of the top specialists in the nation, Irene Litvan.

Although my main expertise lies in the field of movement disorders, I welcome patients with any neurological condition. I serve, respect, and do my personal and professional best to every person who comes through my office door. I maintain ties with UC San Diego Movement Disorder Center via research studies as well as shared learning via professor video rounds and case discussions.

Rita Ceponiene, MD

Kaiser Permanente

I graduated from medical school in Vilnius, Lithuania, attending one...

Private Practice

Frederick De La Vega, MD

Position: Private Practice
Phone: 858-677-1755
Categories: MDS
Location: Private Practice

Specialties

  • Neurology

Areas of Expertise

  • Cerebrovascular Disease
  • Movement Disorders
  • Neurology

Hospital Affiliations

  • Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla

Languages Spoken

  • English

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, Neurology, 2004

Medical Education

  • Creighton University School of Medicine, MD, 1998

Internships

  • Creighton University, Internal Medicine, 1999

Residencies

  • Mayo Clinic, Neurology, 2002

Fellowships

  • Barrow Neurological Institute, Movement Disorders, 2003

Frederick De La Vega, MD

Private Practice

Specialties Neurology Areas of Expertise Cerebrovascular Disease Movement Disorders Neurology...