Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Designates Certified Duchenne Care Center at UCLA

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) has designated the Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (CDMD) at UCLA its 12th Certified Duchenne Care Center.

PPMD is a nonprofit that works to serve the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community through researching new treatments and demanding the best care for patients.

Its Certified Duchenne Care Center Program has supported standardized, comprehensive care and services for patients since March 2014. The program was launched as part of PPMD’s comprehensive Transforming Duchenne Care Initiative (TDCI) to ensure centers sustained the highest standards in clinical and sub-specialty patient services, were able to apply new evidence-based knowledge, minimize heterogeneity in clinical outcomes, and successfully complied with CDC Care Considerations.

The UCLA established CDMD in 2006 to enhance collaboration initiatives among UCLA scientists and clinicians. Its efforts range from education and outreach programs, research, drug discovery, clinical trials, and comprehensive care. Today, the center funds its work through a combination of public and private grants and philanthropy.

The UCLA center is led by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians working in DMD and related muscular dystrophies. Jointly managed by neurologist Dr. Perry Shieh, cardiologist Dr. Nancy Halnon, and geneticist Dr. Stanley Nelson, CDMD takes in patients from around the country seeking help from suspected diagnoses to genetic testing for women who may carry the mutation. The center also leads translational research on DMD.

“The families in Los Angeles are extremely fortunate to have this team of dedicated clinicians and researchers at UCLA,” Kathi Kinnett, PPMD’s senior vice president of clinical care and co-director of TDCI, said in a press release.

“While the research conducted at this center has previously been recognized, we are excited to be able to also recognize the stellar clinical care available to families seen at this center. We are excited to include the Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA in our growing network of comprehensive Duchenne care,” Kinnett said.

“We will continue to certify more clinics across the country this year and throughout 2017, recognizing teams of physicians for their leadership in Duchenne care and enabling families to make the best choice for the care of their child,” she added.