UPMC Children’s Muscular Dystrophy Clinic Awarded CDCC Certification from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

On July 18, 2022, the Muscular Dystrophy Program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the Division of Child Neurology received certification as a Certified Duchenne Care Center (CDCC) Program from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD).

UPMC Children’s is the first center in Pennsylvania to receive the certification from PPMD.

The multidisciplinary clinic is co-directed by pediatric neurologist Hoda Abdel-Hamid, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and director of the EMG Laboratory and Pediatric Neuromuscular Program. Joining Dr. Abdel-Hamid as co-director Jane Taylor, MD, from the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine.

Dr. Abdel-Hamid began leading the Neuromuscular and Muscular Dystrophy Programs at UPMC Children’s in 2006. Under her leadership, both programs have since expanded in scope and scale to include a complement of multidisciplinary provider. Along with Dr. Taylor from Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Jason Edinger, DO, from Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, specialist from physical therapy, orthopaedic surgery, cardiology, genetics, and social work collaborate on patient care in the clinic. The programs collectively now follow more than 250 patients with various neuromuscular conditions, including more than 120 individuals with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

“Earning this designation was a two year-process that involved tremendous work from our clinic staff and support from the Division of Child Neurology and hospital leadership,” says Dr. Abdel-Hamid. “But it’s also about the long-term commitment and resources we have put in place to provide the highest level of multidisciplinary care for our complex and fragile patients with neuromuscular conditions.”

More about the PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Center Program

PPMD’s Certified Duchenne Care Center Program supports standardized, comprehensive care and services for all people living with Duchenne. Certification means centers maintain the highest standards in clinical and sub-specialty services, rapidly apply new evidence-based knowledge, minimize heterogeneity in clinical research outcomes, and comply with standards in clinical care that were established by the CDC’s Care Considerations. As part of its ongoing mission to end Duchenne, PPMD continues to insist that all people with Duchenne receive comprehensive care.

Read the press release from PPMD about UPMC Children’s certification.