About Us
The Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI) advances the lives of people affected by ME/CFS and other Infection Associated Chronic Conditions (IACC) through specialized care, innovative research, education, and collaboration.
WPI originated from hope and determination to find the underlying causes of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and a cure for a spectrum of disabling illnesses that continue to profoundly affect our founders’ family members and thousands of other families within the state of Nevada and millions throughout the United States.
With expert advice from concerned physicians, Dr. Kenneth W Hunter, Sci.D., and the help of many interested friends, the Whittemores worked with the University of Nevada and the Nevada State Legislature to create a new nonprofit medical research center on the medical campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.
Their combined resources resulted in the 2010 opening of the WPI in the Center for Molecular Medicine on the medical campus in Reno, Nevada.
Thousands of publications describe the severe systemic consequences of infection-associated chronic diseases such as ME, post-treatment Lyme disease, and, more recently, Post-Acute Sars CoV or PASC, an illness that is similar to ME. Yet, there are still too few treatment options and no FDA-approved biological diagnostic tests.
The WPI is committed to finding answers for the millions impacted by ME through research, education, and individualized service programs.
Kenny De Meirleir MD PhD
Internal Medicine, Cardiologist, & ME/CFS Specialist
Vincent Lombardi PhD
UNR Research Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
Kenneth Hunter, Jr ScD
UNR Professor; Emeritus
The Heart of WPI
Our leadership and staff bring hundreds of years of combined experience with infection-associated chronic conditions from both lived experiences as patients and caregivers and entire careers dedicated to scientific discovery, patient care, and advocacy for those suffering from ME/CFS and Long COVID.
Scientific & Medical Advisory Board
Annette Whittemore
WPI Founder & Board Chair
Board of Directors
Guided by our Board of Directors, the WPI remains focused on advancing research, improving patient outcomes, and serving our community with integrity.
Sam Shad
Peggy Sullivan
JoAnn Behrman Lippert, PhD
Nancy Moss Ghusn, JD
Pro-Tem Judge / Administrative Hearing Officer
Psychologist and Trauma Consultant
Community Champion
Host, Nevada Newsmakers,
CEO & Founder, Sam Shad Productions
The Team
Our versatile team brings expertise, passion, and dedication to our mission as we pursue answers for patients and their loved ones. We are committed to building a professional, engaged, and collaborative Institute that has a meaningful impact on our community and the lives we seek to transform through research, education, care, and support.
Natalie Okeson
CEO
Kellen Jones
Operations & HR
Dean Laslo
IT
Jim Harris
Controller
Zaara Kamal
Outreach Coordinator
Jai Santos
Events Coordinator
Skye Agustin
Social Media Coordinator