Clinical Fellowship Program
Training Movement Disorder Specialists
Dystonia is a multifaceted neurological disorder. Despite advances in clinical management and research, the diagnosis of dystonia continues to be, far too often, delayed or missed. Although treatment options have expanded with the approval of botulinum neurotoxins and the success of deep brain stimulation, patients with dystonia continue to report difficulties in locating physicians who know how to evaluate their individual needs and to develop an appropriate treatment plan. In addition, there is a great need for better understanding of the disorder in its various clinical manifestations and for the development of better treatments. This emphasizes the urgent need for training more experts in dystonia, which can be best achieved by additional fellowship training in movement disorders with special emphasis on dystonia.
DMRF is pleased to offer clinical fellowships to support the training of exceptionally qualified physicians in preparation for their clinical and/or research career in movement disorders with emphasis on dystonia and a special competence in use of botulinum toxins.
In 2025, this program will support fellows through grants to the DMRF from the AbbVie Foundation and Merz Therapeutics.
Congratulations to our 2026 Two-Year Clinical Fellows and Mentors:
Dakota Peacock, MD
Mentor: Jennifer O’Malley, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Dr. Peacock will begin his fellowship at Stanford University in July 2026 and will spend the first year receiving clinical training while the second year will focus on clinical research.
Alexandra Thele, MD
Mentor: Aasef Shaikh, MD, PhD
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Dr. Thele will begin her fellowship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in July 2026 and will spend the first year receiving clinical training while the second year will focus on clinical research.
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