2025 Men of the Year: Dr. Kenneth S. Sharlin

Dr. Kenneth S. Sharlin has dedicated himself as a neurologist to transforming health care in southwest Missouri through a fusion of traditional and functional medicine. As the founder of Sharlin Health and Neurology LLC, he developed the Brain Tune Up! protocol, an evidence-based approach that he says has helped thousands of patients restore their neurological health when conventional treatments fell short.

Sharlin’s leadership in neurological research has been instrumental in advancing treatments for patients affected especially by Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. By pioneering the implementation of blood-based biomarkers, he has simplified the Alzheimer’s diagnostic process, making early detection more accessible and accurate. His research site has played a crucial role in the development of transformative FDA-approved treatments, including donanemab (Kisunla) and ofatumumab (Kesimpta). Donanemab is one of the first-ever disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s, says Sharlin, while ofatumumab has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in halting multiple sclerosis progression.

Beyond clinical practice, Sharlin – through his book, health care podcasts and speaking engagements – works to educate medical professionals and the public on the latest advances in brain health.

“As lead author of the largest published case series on cognitive decline reversal, I helped document transformative results – with one-third of the study participants being patients from my practice who showed measurable improvement,” says Sharlin. “This research has expanded the possibilities for cognitive health and influenced how practitioners approach neurodegenerative conditions.”

Sharlin is a former board member of the American Heart Association’s stroke council and medical adviser to the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks. He participates in fundraising events like the MS150 Bike Ride and Pound the Pavement 5K for Parkinson’s disease and works with nonprofits to increase diversity in clinical research.

He is also helping shape the future of medicine by mentoring medical students in his practice.

“Through hands-on exposure to neurology, clinical research and holistic patient-centered medicine, I am cultivating a new generation of physicians who understand the importance of comprehensive, individualized care,” he says. “This educational leadership ensures that innovative approaches to neurological health will continue to benefit our community for years to come.”

Dream dinner party guest: I lost my grandfather, Hiller Sharlin, to stomach cancer when I was about 6. He was an entrepreneur and humanitarian who led Sharlin-Lite Corp. and was a respected community leader. I have two vivid memories of him: one when he visited us in Ewing Township and another just before he passed, frail and unrecognizable in a hospital bed. I didn’t realize then how deeply he would later influence my life. A framed newspaper article in my office tells his story: a boy from Jerusalem who came to America at 7, gave up his dream of becoming a doctor, survived the Great Depression and co-founded a successful lighting business with just $300. He pursued education, treated everyone equally and lived with compassion, integrity and perseverance – values I strive to embody. Being a business owner has been the hardest challenge of my life, but his legacy keeps me going.