The Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) announced the Motion Analysis Centre (MAC) team as the 2025 recipient of the Dr. John Whittaker Memorial Cerebral Palsy Award. The recognition was presented during this year’s BRI Symposium on Nov. 26, celebrating the team’s leadership in advancing mobility and rehabilitation for children and youth with cerebral palsy. 

The award, established in honour of former Holland Bloorview clinician Dr. John Whittaker, recognizes outstanding contributions in research, service or product development that improve the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Sponsored by the Whittaker family, the award includes a plaque and a $1,000 prize. 

The Dr. John Whittaker Memorial Award follows a formal nomination and adjudication process to recognize outstanding contributions in cerebral palsy care and research. This year’s recipients—Anthony Danial, Donovan Cooper, Josh McGillivray, Puja Ahluwalia, Chun Kim and Leah Takeuchi—lead a multidisciplinary team that provides advanced 3D gait and motion assessments to support clinical decision-making, surgical planning and tailored rehabilitation programs for children with complex motor needs. Thanks to a historic investment from the provincial government through the Make Kids Count initiative, the Centre has expanded its capacity to provide vital gait assessments for children with cerebral palsy who are undergoing orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures. Their collaboration with orthopedic surgeons at SickKids ensures that each child receives a tailored treatment plan informed by high-quality motion data, strengthening outcomes and recovery.

The Motion Analysis Centre’s work generates precise, objective motion data that helps clinicians understand each child’s unique movement patterns. These insights guide medical and rehabilitation interventions that promote mobility, comfort and participation in daily life while supporting families through critical points in the care journey.

Beyond clinical services, the team contributes to research at the Bloorview Research Institute, examining markerless motion capture, person-generated health data and digital rehabilitation tools such as therapy gaming platforms. These initiatives aim to strengthen personalized rehabilitation and create more accessible, engaging therapy opportunities for children and families. 

Dr. Elaine Biddiss, senior scientist at BRI, nominated the MAC team and emphasized the significance of their contributions. “The Motion Analysis Centre team exemplifies innovation and collaboration at their best,” she said. “Their dedication to precision assessment, interdisciplinary practice and family-centred care has transformed how children with cerebral palsy access and experience rehabilitation. Their work honours Dr. Whittaker’s legacy by directly improving mobility, independence and quality of life.” 

The team shared a collective message reflecting on the recognition:

“Being selected for the Dr. John Whittaker Memorial Award is an incredible honour. To be recognized by those who are at the forefront of innovation and discovery, improving the world for children with disability, is humbling. We hope to continue to enhance precision health, the mobility and quality of life of ambulatory children, and ultimately help them do what they love the most; playing and having fun. Furthering our collaborations with the Bloorview Research Institute, the Foundation, and our surgical partners will allow us to achieve our goals and help as many kids as we can.”

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice-president of research and director of BRI, highlighted the team’s impact within both research and clinical domains.

“The Motion Analysis Centre team reflects the powerful intersection of research and care at Holland Bloorview, which is central to our learning health system,” she said. “Their contributions advance the science of movement, strengthen collaborations across clinical programs and across institutions and elevate how evidence is translated into practice. Their leadership continues to shape innovative approaches that improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.”

The Motion Analysis Centre continues to shape evidence-informed pediatric rehabilitation through its integration of clinical expertise, engineering innovation and family-centred practice. The 2025 Dr. John Whittaker Memorial Cerebral Palsy Award highlights the team’s leadership and dedication to helping children move through the world with greater confidence and independence.

Learn more about the Motion Analysis Centre’s work at Holland Bloorview.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!

By Priyanka Shah

Photo by Brendan Byrne