Fresh hope on the horizon

The convergence of personal relationships leads to breakthroughs that can impact lives

By: Michelle Koidin Jaffee
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UF Health patient Austin Streitmatter (middle) is surrounded by donors Michelle and Rick Staab; neuroscientist David Vaillancourt, P-h-D; neuroscientist Yuqing Li, P-h-D; physical therapist Meredith DeFranco; and neurologist Aparna Wagle Shukla, M-D. UF Health patient Austin Streitmatter is surrounded by members of the team it takes to usher new treatments from the lab to the bedside — from donors to scientists to care providers. Behind him from left: Donors Michelle and Rick Staab; neuroscientist David Vaillancourt, PhD; neuroscientist Yuqing Li, PhD; physical therapist Meredith DeFranco; and neurologist Aparna Wagle Shukla, MD. Photo by Jesse S. Jones
In this video from 2012, follow Austin Streitmatter’s journey from his diagnosis of dystonia to his deep brain stimulation surgery at UF Health Shands Hospital.
"We're going to figure out what this disease is.
We're going to cure it."
Rick Staab
Co-founder and president of Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure
Tyler Staab surrounded by his parents, Rick and Michelle; his sister, Samantha; and his brother, Luke. The Staab family cheered on runners Dec. 8, 2018, in Gainesville at the eighth annual Season of Hope Run hosted by Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure and the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health. Tyler is surrounded by his parents, Rick and Michelle; his sister, Samantha; and his brother, Luke. Photo by Michelle Koidin Jaffee
Todd Golde, MD, PhD, and Michael Okun, MD ’96, discuss how Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure has moved the needle for dystonia research and care.