Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Research Institute have announced Dr. Simon Stott (above left) and Professor Bastiaan Bloem (above right) as joint recipients of this year’s ‘Tom Isaacs Award’. The comprehensive nominations for both candidates made choosing between them very difficult – therefore it was unanimously judged appropriate to celebrate two winners this year!   

Professor Bastiaan Bloem is the founder and medical director of the Parkinson Center Nijmegen and co-director of ‘ParkinsonNet’ at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands. This online platform is a new and innovative model of patient-centred care and self education and ensures effective communication between the individual with Parkinson’s and their integrated healthcare team. Professor Bloem was unable to join the presentation ceremony at the Van Andel Institute but his film celebrates the spirit of the award!

Dr. Bloem is deeply committed to collaborating closely with people with Parkinson’s in all aspects of his work — a fact that was important to Tom and that should be a shining example to us all. Through his efforts with ParkinsonNet, people with Parkinson’s in the Netherlands and a growing number of other countries are able to much more easily access specialized care needed to ensure quality of life.

Professor Patrik Brundin, Associate Director of Research at VAI and Tom Isaacs Award judging panellist.

 Dr. Simon Stott is a research associate in the lab of Dr. Roger Barker at the Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Cambridge University and is an active member of the online Parkinson’s Research Advocacy Group. Since 2015, Simon has run the ‘Science of Parkinson’s’ website in his limited spare time which is dedicated to translating the complex science behind the condition into an accessible patient-friendly format.

Dr. Stott’s dedication to the Parkinson’s community goes far beyond his day job as a neuroscientist. His blog has become an indispensable and outstanding tool for communicating the latest research to a broad audience in an interactive, easy-to understand way, and creates a much-needed bridge between the lab and patients. In a short time, he has developed a global following via his blog and other social media outlets.

Profesor Patrik Brundin

CPT is thrilled to announce both winners and recognise them for their outstanding achievements. Both recipients are tireless advocates for the Parkinson’s community and their inclusive work and extensive outreach helps shrink the gap between scientists and patients. Tom Isaacs, who became one of the best known advocates for Parkinson’s, believed passionately in this patient-centred approach and the Tom Isaacs Award is dedicated to his spirit and determination.

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