We were delighted to see two Bristol NHS Group doctors - Mihaela Boca and Cathy Penman – named as winners at the 2026 Parkinson’s Excellence Network Awards.
The national awards run by Parkinson’s UK celebrate the achievements of outstanding services and professionals supporting people with Parkinson’s.
Consultant Neurologist Dr Mihaela Boca, who works in the Bristol Brain Centre at Southmead Hospital received the People’s Choice Award after being nominated by a patient who praised her “exceptional approach to patient care”.
The nomination praised Mihaela’s “compassionate, personalised approach” and how she “took time to understand specific, holistic support needs and communication preferences”.
She was also praised for her “championing of great healthcare provision in Bristol for people living with Parkinson’s”.
Mihaela said: “This was a great honour, but very importantly this award reflects the efforts of the entire amazing team I work with in Movement Disorders.”
Geriatric Medicine Registrar Dr Cathy Penman at the BRI was named Rising Star at the awards in recognition of her professional contribution and impact on the care of people with Parkinson’s over a short period of time.
Cathy is a Parkinson’s UK and British Geriatrics Society Advanced Clinical Training Fellow and received multiple nominations from colleagues.
They highlighted her work “transforming local Parkinson’s services, particularly in underserved areas” along with her “multi-disciplinary leadership, proactive support and commitment to education and workforce development”.
She said: "It was an honour to receive this award, and I am deeply grateful to Parkinson’s UK for the fellowship that has enabled me to focus on improving services across our region. I have been supported throughout by a wonderful team at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, and I have felt incredibly welcomed and inspired by the local Parkinson’s community. "
Cathy often collaborates with the team at Southmead and the pair were delighted to bring two of the eight awards back to Bristol.
More than 100 nominations were submitted for the awards and were then shortlisted by the judges ahead of an awards celebration in London at the end of March.
Professor Tim Whittlestone, Chief Medical and Innovation Officer at Bristol NHS Group, said: "It is fantastic to see two of our doctors receiving awards for the compassionate care they are providing to people with Parkinson's.
"We are proud of the contribution and commitment of both Mihaela and Cathy to improve the health and experiences of this patient group. Well done!"