Dr. Veronica Bruno is a person who moves through the world with purpose and compassion, and she’s helping people with Parkinson’s to find their swagger. Since 2004, she’s been pushing boundaries in Parkinson’s research, bringing the lived experiences of people with Parkinson’s to the forefront, and helping people who have been sidelined to join the conversation. Dr. Bruno is a movement disorder specialist with a deep compassion for the person behind the diagnosis. She doesn’t just study Parkinson’s – she listens to the people living with it and finds ways for them to live better. 

Supported by Parkinson Canada, Dr. Bruno’s latest research is taking a qualitative approach – centering on the voices of women living with Parkinson’s. Through in-depth focus groups, Dr. Bruno’s work is helping to uncover patterns of misdiagnosis, conflicting medical advice, and a striking lack of data on how Parkinson’s impacts women differently across every facet of life. From exercise to sexuality to workplace support, women are differently affected by Parkinson’s, and the research into this is currently lacking. “These aren’t just social issues,” she says. “They are a vital area of scientific research.” 

Dr. Bruno’s research is not about finding a cure – it’s about making life better for people today. She emphasizes the importance of listening, of validating people’s experiences, and of recognizing how diverse those experiences truly are. That’s what drives her work: empathy, evidence, and helping people to live well. In her work, Dr. Bruno constantly returns to one central belief: that people with Parkinson’s deserve to be seen as people and not reduced to a list of symptoms. “I love working together with people with Parkinson’s – I love helping them and improving their quality of life.” she explains. “People are afraid of how it will affect them, how it will affect their future. They want someone to look at them as a whole person.” 

Dr. Bruno embodies what it means to be a Champion of Swagger. She is enabling people with Parkinson’s to live well and be comfortable in their own bodies. She is elevating voices that have gone unheard, and is inspiring them to move boldly.