Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH

Last updated on January 19, 2024.

 of Santa Fe, NM, has been appointed to a three-year term to the People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council of the Parkinson’s Foundation. As a recently retired cardiologist and public health expert, Dr. Blake says that nothing in her medical education and cardiology career prepared her for being diagnosed as a person with Parkinson’s disease. She is a grateful beneficiary of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s extensive resources for patients and families.

As a member of the Parkinson’s Patient Advisory Council, she is committed to advancing the Foundation’s mission to “make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by improving care and advancing research toward a cure.”

Dr. Blake plans to leverage her experience and energy to make life better for people affected by Parkinson’s. According to the the Santa Fe New Mexican:

“New Mexico is a big state where gaining access to information and care can be challenging. We have an opportunity to build on recent accomplishments including opening the Nene and Jamie Koch Comprehensive Movement Disorder Center at UNM, providing support for individuals and their families, and furthering the work of , a past Council member who was recognized in 2022 by the Santa Fe New Mexican as one of ’10 Who Made a Difference.’ “

, Santa Fe New Mexican, August 27, 2023

From 1988 until 2011, Dr. Blake practiced at the New Mexico Heart Institute where she also served as President. She subsequently served as Vice President for Healthcare Quality at the American Medical Association where she tackled a wide range of issues including quality measurement, medical device policy, artificial intelligence, clinical data registries, health equity, value-based health care and behavioral health.

She and her husband live in Santa Fe. They have two children and one grandchild.