14 Fox Focus | Research and Care
A Graduating
Class for
Parkinson’s
Clinical
Care
Because every person’s version of
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is different, having
a partnership with the right doctor makes a
difference. A movement disorder specialist
— a neurologist with additional training in
PD and other movement disorders — can help
patients manage symptoms and connect to
the latest research, while supporting overall
well-being. But for many, this care isn’t
possible because there aren’t enough of these
specialists, due to lack of funding or training.
In 2014, The Michael J. Fox Foundation
(MJFF) and longtime partner the Edmond J.
Safra Foundation, established The Edmond J.
Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders to
address this growing need.
Connecting research and care is fundamental
to MJFF’s mission and core to the Edmond J.
Safra Foundation’s commitment to the patient
community. The specialists trained through the
program can deliver expert patient care and, at
the same time, lead research to better understand
and treat their patients’ diseases. To date,
The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement
Disorders has graduated 10 movement disorder
clinician-researchers across the world, including
five esteemed candidates who recently graduated
in the Class of 2019, entering careers in
Parkinson’s clinical care and research.
Natalie Witek, MD, 2019 graduate, notes the
important role a movement disorder specialist
plays: “While having Parkinson’s can slow
you down, patients are learning that we can
help them continue to live healthy, happy
and successful lives.” Placing an emphasis
on patients’ needs allows for advances in
optimizing care, and ultimately a difference in
the lives of people with PD.
Visit michaeljfox.org/safrafellows to learn more
about the program and its graduates.