Tag Archive for: Neuromuscular Medicine Program

The Children's National neuromuscular medicine team

Children’s National recertified as PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Center with Clinical Research Designation

The Children's National neuromuscular medicine team

Children National Hospital’s Neuromuscular Medicine Program team.

Children’s National Hospital has been recertified as a Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) Certified Duchenne Care Center and has received PPMD’s new Clinical Research Designation, recognizing both sustained excellence in multidisciplinary Duchenne care and a demonstrated commitment to clinical research.

The Neuromuscular Medicine Program at Children’s National offers care through a robust, multidisciplinary clinic that brings together specialists in neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology and bone health, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition and other key disciplines. This integrated model ensures that patients and families receive coordinated care that addresses the complex and evolving needs associated with Duchenne.

PPMD requires centers to reapply for certification every five years to ensure ongoing adherence to strict criteria, including specialist expertise, coordinated care models and comprehensive services. Recertification provides assurance of consistent, evidence-based care for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Introduced in 2025, the Clinical Research Designation distinguishes Certified Duchenne Care Centers that actively conduct Duchenne clinical trials and research. This designation highlights programs that contribute to reducing variability in care, strengthening clinical trial outcome measures and accelerating the development of emerging therapies.

“Recertification as a Certified Duchenne Care Center affirms Children’s National’s commitment to coordinated, evidence-based Duchenne care,” said Sarah Wright, DO, program director of the Neuromuscular Medicine Program. “The Clinical Research Designation builds on that foundation, reflecting our focus on advancing research, expanding access to clinical trials, and improving outcomes for patients and families.”

Through recertification and this new research designation, Children’s National continues to serve as a clinical and research resource within the national Duchenne care network while also improving the care of all patients with neuromuscular diagnoses.

Children’s National Health System named as member of the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy’s (PPMD) Certified Duchenne Care Centers

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Children’s National Health System is now part of a growing Duchenne care network, becoming the newest member of the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy’s (PPMD) Certified Duchenne Care Program.

The certification process to become a Certified Duchenne Care Center (CDCC) was grounded in the idea that comprehensive Duchenne care and services should be available and accessible to as many families as possible. By joining the network of PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Centers and standardizing care, Children’s National’s Neuromuscular Medicine Program is also improving Duchenne research and clinical trials by decreasing variability in care and increasing the quality of clinical trial outcome measures. This results in accelerating the time it takes therapies to reach the patients who need them.

By allowing neuromuscular patients of all diagnoses access to the comprehensive teams of sub-specialists serving the Duchenne population, Children’s National and other PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Centers will improve the care of all patients with neuromuscular diagnoses.