Medical school:  Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Neurology residency:  University of California, San Diego
Dr. Sipma was drawn to movement disorders because of the long-term relationships with patients and families, as well as the emphasis on the physical exam. She also enjoys teaching, and movement disorders provides ample opportunities for this. Having had close family members with neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s, she believes strongly in patient and caregiver education, which can enhance many aspects of life. She chose UAB for her fellowship training because of the breadth, passion, and camaraderie within the movement disorders division. She is confident that the mentorship at UAB will make her a well-rounded educator and clinician, who is proficient in clinical care, DBS, and botulinum toxin injections. She has loved her time here in Birmingham, which has proven to be very welcoming, affordable, and filled with good eats and adventures for her family and pets. Plans after her two-year fellowship are still developing, but she looks forward to a career walking alongside patients and caregivers while also training the next generation of clinicians.

Medical school: UAB Heersink School of Medicine 
Neurology residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Initially attracted to UAB's clinical diversity as a large tertiary referral center during her residency, Dr. Parker ultimately sought to join the Movement Disorders division for fellowship after working with such incredible educators during her elective rotations as a resident. She values the collegial environment fostered by this group, and views its emphasis on well-roundedness and providing excellent multidisciplinary patient care as unique strengths of this program. She also has a passion for teaching and has enjoyed the plentiful opportunities for teaching medical students, residents, and even graduate students during her fellowship in both a classroom and clinical setting. As an Alabama native, her long-term goal is to increase access to specialized movement disorders care such as DBS programming and botulinum toxin injections within the state of Alabama. She plans to work in a community practice after completion of her one-year clinically focused fellowship. Outside work, Dr. Parker loves cooking, exploring the restaurant scene in Birmingham, and going to concerts.