California Neurology Society

09/01/2026

For our third spotlight, we’re thrilled to feature two of Friday morning’s distinguished presenters: Dr. Ruby Ali and Dr. Amritha Parthasarathy. Dr. Ali will lead a focused session on Multiple Sclerosis and Aging, offering clinical insights into how MS evolves across the lifespan and what this means for patient care. Immediately following, Dr. Parthasarathy will present Stroke in the Young, exploring the unique etiologies, diagnostic considerations, and management strategies for younger stroke patients

View our speaker bios: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/conferences/monterey-fall-conference-2026/fall-2026-speakers

Dr. Ruby Ali

Ruby Ali MD, graduated from Neurology Residency at UC Davis and Neurophysiology Fellowship at UC Davis, and worked at Kaiser and then been at Northbay Medical Center for 12 years.

Dr. Amritha Parthasarathy

Dr. Amritha Parthasarathy, DO, MS, MPH, is a board-certified neurologist and vascular neurologist based in San Jose, California, affiliated with Good Samaritan Hospital. She completed her neurology training at Desert Regional Medical Center and Loma Linda University, followed by a vascular neurology fellowship at the University at Buffalo.

She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Department of Neurosciences at Good Samaritan Hospital and is an Assistant Professor at Touro University California. Her work is focused on stroke care, with a particular interest in stroke in young and marginalized populations.

08/25/2026

We’re delighted to share Spotlight #2 in our Meet the Professors series as we count down to the 2026 CNS Fall Conference in Monterey. This year’s program brings together an exceptional group of clinicians, researchers, and educators who are advancing the field of neuromuscular disease. Each spotlight introduces one of our featured professors and offers a glimpse into the expertise they’ll bring to this year’s sessions.

View our speaker bios: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/conferences/monterey-fall-conference-2026/fall-2026-speakers

Dr. Kenneth Leung

Kenneth Leung is a board-certified neurologist who practices both comprehensive neurology and neuromuscular medicine. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology within the Stanford University School of Medicine. He sees patients at the Stanford Tri-Valley site in Pleasanton and also at the Stanford Palo Alto campus where he is a provider in the multidisciplinary ALS/MDA clinic. He has experience caring for many patients with a variety of chronic neurodegenerative neuromuscular conditions including ALS, and has a particular interest in quality improvement in the care of these patients. He is also an avid clinician educator and serves as the associate program director for the neuromuscular medicine fellowship and neurology clerkship director at Stanford.

Dr. Swathy Chandrashekhar

Dr. Swathy Chandrashekhar is a board-certified neurologist who provides comprehensive, compassionate care for patients with complex neuromuscular disorders. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco. She performs electromyography and nerve conduction studies to diagnose nerve and muscle disorders, and she has advanced training in conducting and analyzing muscle biopsies. Dr. Chandrashekhar has published and presented research on ALS as well as on genetic and immune-related neuropathy. She has been an investigator on clinical trials to evaluate promising treatments for various neuromuscular disorders. She also has a keen interest in medical education and is passionate about training the next generation of neurologists and neuromuscular specialists. She received several awards for teaching excellence during her training. Before joining UCSF, she served as associate fellowship director for the University of Kansas.

08/20/2026

We’re excited to launch our Meet the Professors series for the 2026 CNS Fall Conference—your chance to get to know the distinguished clinicians, researchers, and educators shaping this year’s program. Each spotlight will introduce a featured professor and highlight their expertise. It’s a great way to connect with our speakers before you arrive and deepen the experience of learning together this October.

View our speaker bios: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/conferences/monterey-fall-conference-2026/fall-2026-speakers



Meet Dr. Christopher Campos
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Christopher Campos is a neurologist, educator, mentor, and advocate who began his career at UC Davis before receiving a diagnosis of ALS. Drawing on his unique perspective as both a physician and a person living with ALS, he is dedicated to advancing awareness of the disease and promoting compassionate, person-centered care.

Meet Dr. George J. Sarka

George Sarka MD, DrPH, MPH is currently the CME Director at Memorial Care, Saddleback Medical Center; Current Secretary (2018-2024)/Chair of the CNS Medical/Neurological History Section and Past President of the California Neurology Society (2015-2016); Past Governor of the American College of Physicians, Southern California, Chapter Region II (2008-2012); Past President of the LA Neurological Society (2006-2009); and Past President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association-District 1(2006-2008); a former Associate Clinical Professor Medicine at UCLA (2007-2023).

Dr. Sarka received his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (MDCM) from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in 1980; a Master of Public Health (MPH) from UCLA in 2003; and his Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) from UCLA in 2013. Dr. Sarka did his Internship/Residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (1980-1983); his Fellowship in Rheumatology at Louisiana State University (1983-1985); and a second Residency in Neurology at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center (1985-1988).

He is board certified in 10 subspecialties including the following: Internal Medicine; Rheumatology; Neurology; Geriatrics; Sports Medicine; Headache Medicine; Emergency Medicine; Public Health and General Preventive Medicine via the ABPM; Public Health via the NBPHE and Occupational Medicine. He is also a medical, public health and presidential historian and has given over 1,100 lectures on a plethora of medical topics including medical and public health history in his career.

He is currently on staff as an Attending Rheumatologist and CoChair of the CME Committee at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Internist and Multispecialist/Public Health Specialist at California State University, Northridge in the Klotz Student Health Center in Northridge, California.

08/18/2026

The 2026 CNS Fall Conference agenda is live — with a new Thursday, Oct 29 program added! Check out the expanded four‑day lineup and get ready for Monterey.

Learn more: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/monterey-fall-conference-2026

08/10/2026

The California Neurology Society is excited to announce that the full agenda for the 2026 Fall Conference is now live — and we’re kicking things off even earlier than before.

Thursday, October 29 has officially been added to the conference lineup, featuring a robust slate of programming including committee reports, hosted CME sessions, clinical updates, and our evening reception and dinner for attendees. This expanded schedule allows members to dive into neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and legislative topics right from day one.

Learn more and Register: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/monterey-fall-conference-2026

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

07/27/2026

We’re excited to share that the speaker lineup page for the CNS Fall Conference in Monterey is now live. This year’s program, From Genes to Junction: The Nexus of Neuromuscular Disease, features an exceptional group of clinicians, researchers, and educators whose work is shaping the future of neuromuscular care.

View the speaker lineup: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/conferences/monterey-fall-conference-2026/fall-2026-speakers

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

07/24/2026

CNS Balloon Day is about making advocacy local and personal—one balloon, one connection at a time.

Yesterday, I visited the office of Assemblymember Dawn Addis with another constituent, hubby Steve, who documented the visit (photos).

We met with Assemblymember Addis’ field representative, Nicole Holguin, who was receptive, attentive, and genuinely interested in the advocacy issues CNS brought forward. Our messages included epilepsy transportation, CTE education, and building healthier, transit-connected California communities.

Most encouragingly, Ms. Holguin planned to bring these issues forward at their staff meeting later that day.

This is what Balloon Day is meant to do: open the door, start the conversation, and establish CNS as a resource for California policymakers on issues affecting brain health and our patients.

Pass the balloon!
Happy CNS Balloon Day

Sincerely,

Stella B. Legarda, MD
Chair, Membership Committee
Immediate Past President

07/06/2026

🌟 Now Accepting CNS Ambassador Mentors

The California Neurology Society is launching a new way for experienced neurologists to support the next generation of leaders: the CNS Ambassador Mentor Program.

Mentors help guide CNS Ambassadors as they grow their professional voice, strengthen statewide connections, and represent CNS within their institutions. If you’re a seasoned CNS member who enjoys supporting colleagues and building community, this is a meaningful way to make an impact.

🔗 Learn more & express interest: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/cns-membership

Let’s grow leadership in neurology, together.

07/02/2026

We’re putting the finishing touches on the 2026 CNS Fall Conference agenda, and it’s shaping up to be one of our most exciting programs yet. You’ll be seeing the full agenda very soon.

Along with it, we’ll be sharing a special announcement that we can’t wait to reveal. Stay tuned—more is coming.

Register today: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/conferences

06/22/2026

Have you registered for the California Neurology Society Fall Conference 2026, taking place October 30–November 1 in Monterey?

This year’s program, From Genes to Junction: The Nexus of Neuromuscular Disease, brings together leading experts to explore advances shaping clinical practice, research, and patient care.

Attendees can look forward to high‑yield sessions, practical updates, and opportunities to connect with peers across California’s neurology community. Whether you practice in private, academic, or hospital‑based settings, this conference offers timely insights and meaningful professional engagement.

Register today: https://www.caneurologysociety.org/conferences

The California Neurology Society enhances healthcare for patients with neurological diseases through educational programs.