Minnesota Chapter Staff and Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Jamie Engebretson, PT, DPT, NCS, President

I obtained my Doctor of Physical Therapy from St. Catherine University in 2009 and have been a board-certified Neurological Clinical Specialist since 2014, specializing in Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders.  I’m trained in LSVT BIG and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!).  I have worked in various treatment settings and practice at M Health Fairview.  I enjoy sharing my knowledge of Parkinson’s disease through various speaking engagements locally and nationally, and I am honored to be giving back to the community through Involvement in the APDA MN Chapter.  When not volunteering or working, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time with my family. 

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Dr. Natalie Heinrich, Vice President

I graduated from Drake University with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and then completed a two-year Pharmaceutical Care Leadership residency at the University of Minnesota. During my residency, I developed a new clinical pharmacy practice at the MHealth Fairview Neurology Clinic, where I gained expertise in medication management for people with Parkinson’s disease. I am passionate about empowering patients and caregivers, helping to optimize an individual’s medication regimen, and connecting people with community resources and support. I am thrilled to be on the APDA board to advocate for improved care and resources for people with Parkinson’s disease in Minnesota.

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Dr. Sommer Amundsen-Huffmaster, Secretary

As an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Minnesota, my work focuses on quantitative measurements of Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms. In the Movement Disorders Lab, we measure how people perform tasks such as walking, balance recovery, reaching, and talking. We look at how Parkinson’s disease impacts these tasks and how task performance changes with treatments like deep brain stimulation. I’m especially interested in understanding freezing of gait.

I love working with the people who volunteer to participate in our research, and I’m excited to give back to the Parkinson’s community by serving on the board for APDA Minnesota. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, kayaking, and spending time with my husband, our two kids, and our dogs.

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Stacie Usem, Treasurer

I am a Partner at Lurie, LLP, a public accounting and consulting firm based in Minneapolis. I focus my practice on professional services companies specializing in the healthcare industry. I am also very involved in non-profit organizations and passionate about giving back to the community. When not at work or volunteering, my husband Jeff and I, as well as both our sons, are die-hard University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger fans as we are all alumni.

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Dr. Allyson Connor, MD, Medical Director

I am a movement disorders neurologist at Allina Health’s Neuroscience, Spine, and Pain Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.  I completed my M.D. at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, my neurology residency at University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and my movement disorders fellowship at the University of Minnesota. 

I began working with people with Parkinson’s disease in residency, which sparked my desire to focus my career on movement disorders.  My priority is to work with people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to improve their quality of life and functioning.  Outside work, I enjoy playing ice hockey and spending time with our four pets.

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Suzann Brown

I retired as a Senior Vice President of U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management in 2018. I began my career in 1981 as a stockbroker for Equity Enterprises in Milwaukee. Following the stock market crash in 1987, I moved to Minneapolis and became an investment advisor at First Minnesota Savings and Loan. In 1991, I began my career at U.S. Bank. As a regional sales manager for the Minnesota/Wisconsin retail investment services, I was tasked with building the investment advisory business. The hiring of staff, as well as establishing and securing trusted relationships with local bank leadership, was the beginning of my significant career.

In 2000, I was asked to assume portfolio management of the clients of a retiring, beloved senior portfolio Manager. The high-network clients I advised and grew very fond of were some of my favorite times at the bank. In 2004, I was given the opportunity to lead the Personal Trust Sales Division. Over the last 30 years, I have served on nine non-profit boards and, at one point, served as Chair for each board.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021. In November, I reluctantly joined Rock Steady Boxing and am now a self-professed “gym rat.” I lead two monthly Parkinson’s support groups, so I have a stake in this fight. When asked about my interest in joining the board, I did not hesitate to respond, “Yes, I am all in!”

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Amanda Elliott, PT, DPT

I am a Physical Therapist with more than 14 years of experience working with people with Parkinson’s Disease and other Movement Disorders. A graduate of Marquette University, with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a Bachelors of Exercise Science. She has worked in both in-patient rehab and outpatient settings, and her current role is Physical Therapist and PD program lead at the HealthPartners Neuroscience Center/Struthers Parkinson’s Center HealthPartners. She has completed LSVT BIG  and Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) training, as well as Advanced Team Training through the Parkinson Foundation. Her passion is developing programs, teaching exercise classes, and educating patients and professionals on topics related to PD and movement. In her free time, Amanda stays busy with her two little girls and husband Kyle.

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Dave Ihle, Past President

My journey with Parkinson’s Disease began in the summer of 2015 when I was diagnosed. It was a struggle to understand the disease, so I looked for as much information as possible. This led me to the Minnesota Chapter of the APDA. I was encouraged to join the Board of Directors and became a member of the Board in late 2016.

I retired from 3M in June 2015 after a 33-year career in Manufacturing and Supply Chain organizations. I am looking forward to helping serve those with PD in the Twin Cities community and learning more about the disease and possible treatments.