Olympic runner and former ALLTEL executive Frank O’Mara began showing the first signs of Parkinson’s Disease 15 years ago when he was only 48 years old. Having previously been in good health, he was shocked at the diagnosis from UAMS neurologist Dr. Lee Archer and took several years to accept it. With advancing debilitation, he underwent deep brain stimulation treatments in 2019, and UAMS neurologist Dr. Rohit Dhall fine-tuned the device for relief of the worst symptoms. This enabled O’Mara to fulfill a life-long dream of traveling to the Antarctic in 2022. Earlier this year he published a book, Bend, Don’t Break, and dedicated it to his neurology team at UAMS, which also includes Dr. Erika Petersen and Dr. Tuhin Virmani.
“While a Parkinson’s diagnosis isn’t a death sentence, it’s a life sentence without parole. My team of neurologists at UAMS has given me the tools to cope, and I am forever grateful.” – Frank O’Mara, Little Rock
