MS Academy celebrates ten years and two new additions to our lead faculty
NewsIt’s been a busy year for MS Academy. As we celebrate MS Academy’s tenth year, it’s been wonderful to see so many healthcare professionals coming together at a range of educational meetings, learning from our faculty and from each other.
In addition to our signature MasterClasses, we’ve delivered our third Cutting Edge Science meeting, brought our regional roadshows back, hosted two webinars and held a dedicated meeting for general neurologists!
Two new additions to our MS Academy lead faculty
We are delighted to share that Dr Kate Petheram and Ruth Stross have joined the lead faculty for MS Academy as honorary associate academic director and honorary academic director for nursing and allied health professionals, respectively.
Kate is a consultant neurologist in Sunderland, where she is currently MS lead and has been a valued member and speaker for the Academy for several years, sharing her expertise with hundreds of MasterClass delegates. In her new honorary role, Kate will help bring fresh ideas into the Academy and support the development of our MS MasterClass programmes, webinars and other educational content, working closely with Dr Wallace Brownlee, honorary academic director, and Dr David Paling, honorary strategic director. Her breadth of experience across clinical care, research, training and national advisory roles makes her an invaluable addition to the Academy’s leadership.
Ruth is director of services and healthcare professionals lead at the MS Trust. Ruth has joined the MS Academy lead faculty as honorary academic director for nursing and allied health professionals. Prior to joining the MS Trust, Ruth was head of nursing at Neurology Academy from 2022 to 2025 and has been closely involved with the Academy for many years. She has spoken at numerous MasterClasses and webinars and has helped shape educational programmes across several of our Academies. With more than 27 years’ experience as a specialist nurse in multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s and movement disorders, Ruth brings a deep understanding of the realities of neurological care and a strong passion to improving outcomes for people living with neurological conditions. Ruth’s journey with the Academy began as a delegate. She went on to win both the MS Intermediate and Advanced MasterClass intermodule projects and graduated from the inaugural MS Leadership Academy in 2020. She recently took on the role of director of services at the MS Trust, and we are delighted to welcome her back as part of the honorary MS Academy lead faculty.
Starting the year with Cutting Edge Science
We kicked off 2026 with our third MS Cutting Edge Science meeting in January. Over two days of lively debate, delegates and speakers got stuck into some of the challenging and controversial questions in MS care. The format is interactive, with delegates voting before and after each debate to see whether hearing the arguments and evidence changes their view. This year’s debates covered everything from genetic risk, diagnostic criteria and imaging strategies to treatment switching, biosimilars, menopause and respiratory assessment. We also looked at high-efficacy therapies and what might be coming next, including CAR-T cell therapy.
There was plenty of discussion in the room, and the feedback showed just how much delegates valued the format:
“Phenomenal topics and speakers addressed the subjects brilliantly.”
“Loved this meeting! Small, friendly, involved, topical and relevant discussions.”
“Highly useful discussions. Very educational - thank you!”
Taking MS education around the country
This year also saw the welcome return of our regional roadshows for the first time since 2019. We visited Bristol, Norwich and Leeds, taking MS education closer to healthcare professionals in different parts of the UK. Each roadshow offered an afternoon and early evening of practical learning, discussion and networking, with a case-based programme covering the latest guidance and approaches to MS diagnosis, treatment and symptom management. Keeping the meetings relatively small created a relaxed and interactive environment, with plenty of opportunity for delegates to ask questions, discuss challenges from their own practice and learn from colleagues.
The accessibility of the meetings was something delegates particularly appreciated:
“The roadshow has made the education much more accessible. Thank you!”
“This has been a great opportunity to meet colleagues as well as update and further my knowledge.”
“Speakers were excellent and sessions were well presented. Something for the whole MDT.”
MS for the general neurologist
In May we headed to Birmingham for our Multiple Sclerosis for the General Neurologist meeting, where we welcomed 35 delegates. Designed specifically for consultant neurologists, the day provided a practical update for both recently trained neurologists and those who have been working in general neurology for some time.
Our faculty covered evolving MS diagnostic criteria, investigating suspected demyelination, interpreting white matter lesions and when to consider conditions such as NMOSD and MOGAD. There was also a strong focus on the realities of managing MS in the clinic, including acute presentations, relapse treatment, complications of immunosuppression, long-term disease-modifying therapy and symptom management, as well as emerging treatments. Cases were used throughout the programme to put the learning into context and get everyone talking.
“Excellent day. Very informative. Hugely enjoyed the case-based approach.”
“Good discussion of problems I see in general clinics.”
“Very helpful and perfect format. Would have been keen to come to more.”
Welcoming our newest MasterClass cohorts
Of course, our MS MasterClasses remain at the heart of the Academy, and this year both our Foundation and Advanced MasterClasses are once again fully booked. In May and June, we delivered the first modules and we have loved welcoming our newest delegates to the Academy and seeing the enthusiasm they bring. We had a fantastic mix of healthcare professionals, all bringing their own experience, questions and ideas, and a real passion for improving care and services for people living with MS. The opportunity to learn together as a multidisciplinary group creates a space for different perspectives, shared experiences and conversations that continue well beyond the teaching sessions.
“More than an amazing course with lots to take home and apply in our daily MS practice.”
“I liked that it was interactive and opened up to discuss different practices and opinions.”
“Really enjoyable course - best one I have done. Excellent networking opportunity and great to have such a variety of HCPs as this really helps get the full picture. Made some new friends.”
“Excellent overview of managing MS as a whole and not only centred around diagnosis/ DMTs alone.”
“I’ve really enjoyed the MasterClass. There was a great range of excellent speakers from across the MDT. I’ve come away with lots of ideas for multiple projects and service developments.”
We are already looking forward to welcoming both groups back for module 2 in November. In the meantime, delegates are working on their intermodule service development projects, taking what they have learnt and applying it to challenges within their own services.
A decade of MS Academy
MS Academy was established in 2016, following in the successful footsteps of Parkinson’s Academy, and this year marks ten years of delivering education for healthcare professionals working in MS care. In that time, the Academy has grown into a vibrant community of learning and collaboration.
To date, 6,500 professionals have taken part in MS training across 119 events, including MasterClasses, roadshows, webinars, online courses and other educational activities (including the prestigious MS Cutting Edge Science meeting). Feedback consistently shows the impact of our work. Over recent years, 99% of delegates have rated the organisation of our MasterClasses as good or excellent, and 96% have said they are likely or highly likely to modify their practice as a result of attending.
We are thrilled that Kate and Ruth will help guide the future direction of MS Academy. They both bring a wealth of clinical experience and passion for improving care for people with MS, and their perspectives will help ensure that the Academy continues to support professionals across the whole MS workforce.
Our 2027 MS MasterClasses are now open for registration! If you’re looking to take your MS practice to the next level next year, apply early to secure your place:
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