Rajesh Pahwa

Rajesh Pahwa, MD, is a Professor of Neurology and Director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He holds the Laverne and Joyce Rider Professorship and serves as Chief of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Division. His expertise focuses on Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and movement disorders, with a strong emphasis on clinical research and therapeutic advancements.

Dr. Pahwa completed his medical training at Seth G.S. Medical College in India, followed by residency and fellowship programs at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Kansas Medical Center. He has led over 150 clinical trials and published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles, contributing to seminal textbooks like the Handbook of Parkinson's Disease.

His research spans medical and surgical therapies for Parkinson’s, including levodopa-based treatments, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and novel drug delivery systems. Key areas include improving motor fluctuations, dyskinesia management, and quality-of-life outcomes. He also investigates non-invasive therapies for essential tremor, such as transcutaneous stimulation and wearable devices.

Dr. Pahwa’s clinical contributions include directing a multidisciplinary center recognized as a Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence. He has pioneered studies on foslevodopa/foscarbidopa infusion therapies and apomorphine delivery systems. His work on pimavanserin and antipsychotic safety has shaped guidelines for Parkinson’s psychosis management.

He maintains affiliations with the American Neurological Association, Movement Disorder Society, and Parkinson’s Study Group. His awards include the Laverne and Joyce Rider Professorship, highlighting his sustained impact on advancing care for Parkinson’s patients.