Foundation for Neuroscience,

            Stroke and Recovery

                                Finding a balance for your health

About Us

 


Officers of the Board

 

Christopher Duma, MD, FACS, FOUNDER

President and Chairman of Board

 

 Board-certified neurosurgeon specialist Christopher Duma, M.D., FACS, serves as Chair of the Foundation for Neurosciences, Stroke and Recovery, and remains active in Orange County's medical community as Medical Director of Brain and Spine Surgeons of OC and Medical Director of the Brain Tumor Program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif. He also serves as assistant clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of California, Irvine's School of Medicine as well as director of radiosurgery for UCI Medical Center's Department of Neurosurgery residency training program. His affiliations include Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach, UCI Medical Center in Orange, and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley.Dr. Duma received his general neurosurgical training at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., followed by a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian in Gamma Knife radiosurgery and stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. He has been involved in medical research since his undergraduate education, beginning at the Cornell University School of Medicine's Department of Neuropharmacology and continuing on through his graduate years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Department of Neurology Pain Service. In 2002, Dr. Duma, MD founded The Foundation for Neurosciences, Stroke and Recovery to provide outreach and assistance to patients with movement disorders. The foundation has recently undergone revitalization with a new director Allison Smith-Conway, and a specific focus on community outreach and education through support groups and fitness programs for patients of all ages with movement disorders. Dr. Duma resides in Newport Beach, Calif., with his wife, Jessica, and their three children. His outside interests include playing piano/keyboards, wine tasting and relaxing in Cape Cod with his family.

 

Julia Guillen

        Secretary and Treasurer 


Members of the Board of Directors

 

Christopher Duma, MD,  FACS, Founder

Julia Guillen

Carol Ackel, Notary Public


 

 

 

Allison Smith-Conway, MA, NASM-CPT

Executive Director of Movement Disorders

Allison was 32 years old when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  After three years of hiding the symptoms of her illness, she decided to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian located in Newport Beach, California. With the support of her medical team, she has decided to take this challenge and give back to patients who struggle with neurological deficiencies.  Allison holds a Master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy with an emphasis on Health and Fitness.  She is a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Allison is a personal trainer certified through National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), holding certifications in Sports Performance and Corrective exercise.