Canadian Movement Disorders Organizations Join Together to Train the Next Generation of Specialists
Toronto, ON - March 20th, 2026. Parkinson Canada, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada, and the Huntington Society of Canada are pleased to launch the Clinical Movement Disorders Fellowship Program. This collaborative initiative represents an alliance among Canada's leading movement disorder organizations, working together to address the critical shortage of specialized clinicians trained in the comprehensive care of complex neurological conditions.
The partnership establishes a co-funded fellowship program designed to train the next generation of movement disorder specialists who will serve communities across Canada. By pooling resources and expertise, the three organizations will provide comprehensive training opportunities that span the full spectrum of movement disorders, ensuring fellows receive exposure to Parkinson's disease, dystonia, Huntington disease, and related conditions.
Investing in Clinical Excellence
Through this collaboration, the partners will co-fund a clinical fellowship in 2026-2027, with an award of $80,000 supporting an exceptional candidate pursuing specialized training in movement disorders. We are pleased to jointly award this fellowship to Blanche Perraud, who will train at one of the leading movement disorder institutions.
The program addresses a critical need in the Canadian healthcare landscape, where many patients with movement disorders face long wait times and limited access to specialized care.
A Unified Vision for Better Care
“Access to specialized movement disorder care remains a major challenge for many people across Canada. By working together to support clinical fellowship training, our organizations are investing in the specialists who will improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for Canadians living with movement disorders,” says Ko Currie, Director of Research Programs and Partnerships, Parkinson Canada.
“Collaborations like this are especially important for smaller communities such as dystonia,” says Archana Castelino, National Director of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) Canada. “Together, we are expanding training opportunities for future specialists in movement disorders and saving valuable time and other resources for fellows and host institutions. As DMRF Canada marks 50 years of advancing care and research for dystonia, we remain committed to continuing this work alongside our partners.”
“Partnering with other leading movement disorder organizations in Canada to train the next generation of clinicians is a giant step toward a more collaborative model of improved health care for Canadians,” says Shelly Redman, CEO of the Huntington Society of Canada. “We are excited to positively impact the level of care Canadians with movement orders will receive.”
Strengthening the Movement Disorders Community
This partnership reflects a growing recognition that movement disorders share common features, challenges, and care needs. By working together, the three organizations can maximize their impact while reducing duplication of efforts to benefit all Canadians affected by movement disorders.
The collaboration sets a powerful precedent for how disease-specific organizations can work together to address common challenges and advance care for all people living with movement disorders across Canada. By investing in the next generation of specialists, Parkinson Canada, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada, and the Huntington Society of Canada are building a stronger, more integrated care system that will benefit patients and families for years to come.
For more information about the Canadian Movement Disorders Joint Fellowship Program, please visit:
Parkinson Canada: www.parkinson.ca
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada: www.dystoniacanada.org
Huntington Society of Canada: www.huntingtonsociety.ca
- Building Canada's Next Generation of Movement Disorders Specialists
Meet Dr. Blanche Perraud, the 2026 Clinical Movement Disorders Fellowship Recipient
One of DMRF Canada’s most effective strategies has been to partner with other movement disorders organizations to maximize our impact. In March, we announced the launch of the Clinical Movement Disorders Fellowship Program, a partnership between Parkinson Canada, the Huntington Society of Canada and DMRF Canada. This collaboration aims to address the shortage and train the next generation of movement disorder specialists providing support to communities across Canada.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Blanche Perraud from the University of Sherbrooke. Dr. Perraud is currently completing her year-long fellowship in London, UK, at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN). As one of the oldest clinical neuroscience centers in the world, NHNN is at the forefront of therapeutic options for movement disorders.
Dr. Perraud’s interest in movement disorders began during her undergraduate degree. She spent four months on a project dedicated to Parkinson’s Disease and became fascinated with how neurological movement disorders could be better addressed. Then during her neurology residency, Dr. Perraud noticed that those with movement disorders like dystonia were often underrepresented in research, driving her to pursue training that could fulfill this need.
She has felt lucky that her training with the University of Sherbrooke allowed for hands-on experience with botulinum toxin injections. Dr. Perraud was struck by how much of a difference this treatment could make in terms of quality of life for patients. She enjoyed developing a rapport with her dystonia patients and working collaboratively with them to get the most benefit.
Her time spent in London will build on her experience in Canada, providing her with 5-days a week of clinical experience, access to a much higher volume of patients, and mentorship from world-renowned movement disorders specialists. Dr. Perraud sees this as an opportunity to bring this expertise back to Canada.
“This training will transform my practice, allowing me to offer my patients the most modern therapies available globally.”
Specifically, she looks forward to gaining hands-on experience with Deep Brain Stimulation and MRI-Guided focused ultrasound.
“These are high-tech tools that can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life,” she says.
Dr. Perraud stresses that this opportunity could not have been made possible without the support of donors.
“Your support is making an international bridge possible. Moving abroad for a year of specialized training is a significant personal but also financial commitment, as there is no institutional funding for this. Your grant is not just supporting my career, it is an investment in the health of Canadians.”
That investment will be felt directly upon Dr. Perraud’s return from her fellowship. She is already committed to joining a movement disorders clinic on Montreal’s South Shore, doubling their capacity to see patients.
This impact does not stop with Dr. Perraud and her future patients. She has long-term plans to become a clinical leader and educator of movement disorders. “As a teacher within a university network, I also look forward to mentoring the next generation of neurologists, sharing the unique international perspective I gained during my time in London.”