Multiple System Atrophy Center of Excellence

The Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Center of Excellence at the Fixel Institute provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for individuals living with MSA and related atypical parkinsonian disorders. Our center brings together clinical expertise, research leadership and community support to improve diagnosis, care coordination and quality of life for patients and their care partners.

The MSA CoE serves as a regional and national referral center, offering specialized services that are difficult to access in traditional neurology clinics.

What Is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)?

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance and autonomic body functions such as blood pressure, bladder control and digestion. Symptoms often overlap with Parkinson’s disease, making early and accurate diagnosis challenging.

Our team specializes in distinguishing MSA from related conditions and providing individualized care plans that evolve with disease progression.

meet the care team

Patients are at the center of everything we do. Our care model is designed to minimize patient fatigue while maximizing access to specialists through coordinated visits.

Clinic directo

Nikolaus McFarland, MD, PhD

Rehab director

Lisa Warren, MHS, OTR/L

Clinic manager

Melissa Himes

Neuromuscular Division Chief, Autonomic Lab Director

James Wymer, MD

Alison Kraus, PT, DPT, NCS

Clinical trials manager

Julie Segura

Social work

Alana McKay, LCSW

Gastroenterology

Manuel Amaris, MD

Nicole Tester, PhD, OTR/L

Genetic counselor

Lee Kugelmann, MSGC

Heather Simpson Martin, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Matt Beke, RDN, LDN

Database manager

Charles Jacobson

Nicole Herndon, MS, CC-SLP

multidisciplinary care

Access to consulting physicians

Cardiology autonomic specialist
Urology
Gastroenterology
Sleep / Pulmonary / ENT
Neuro-opthamology
Psychiatry & Neuropsychology
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR)
Pain management
Palliative care

Ancillary testing

Autonomics
Urodynamics
GI Motility
Sleep testing