Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Designates Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, a Certified Duchenne Care Center

HACKENSACK, N.J., July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Neuromuscular Clinic (Gillette) became the 16th clinic named a Certified Duchenne Care Center by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a nonprofit organization leading the fight to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne). PPMD's Certified Duchenne Care Center Program supports standardized, comprehensive care, and services for all people living with Duchenne, and began certifying qualifying centers in March 2014. Gillette has an outstanding reputation, serving families in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area, and PPMD is excited to acknowledge the clinic's leadership in Duchenne care with this certification.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately one in every 5,000 boys.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Neuromuscular Clinic is led by Dr. Randall Richardson. Children who have disabilities and complex medical needs—and their families—have been at the center of Gillette's mission for more than 120 years. And like PPMD, Gillette believes in the importance of standards of care for a variety of challenging childhood conditions. What makes the Gillette clinic a stand out is their pediatric program, transition program, and an adult program, all led by highly qualified coordinators. Gillette believes that with innovative medical and surgical intervention, proven therapies and assistive technology, and the support of compassionate health care professionals, children who have these conditions can thrive and live happy, healthy, productive lives.

"This serves not just as a wonderful recognition of the work that Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare neuromuscular team has done, but also offers us the opportunity for continuing performance enhancement," Richardson said. "We are great, but this relationship allows us the opportunity to be even better."

Kathi Kinnett, MSN, CNP, PPMD's Senior Vice President of Clinical Care and co-director of Transforming Duchenne Care Initiative (TDCI), is pleased that Gillette is receiving certification. Kinnett says, "Gillette has amassed an impressive team capable of providing comprehensive Duchenne care across the lifespan.  We are excited to add this new center, with their expertise, compassion and enthusiasm, to our growing network of Certified Duchenne Care Centers."

Kinnett says that PPMD receives numerous requests from centers wanting to be considered for certification. "When PPMD launched our certification program in 2014, we had no idea that the Duchenne community would respond so positively. Families have come to rely on our certification as an indication that these centers are the best of the best. We will continue to certify more centers across the country throughout 2017, recognizing teams of physicians for their leadership in Duchenne care, which in turn will enable families to make the best choice for the care of their child."

In 2014, PPMD launched the Certified Duchenne Care Center Program as part of its robust Transforming Duchenne Care Initiative (TDCI). PPMD will continue to award qualified centers the title of Certified Duchenne Care Center in an effort to ensure 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 Care Considerations. As part of its ongoing mission to end Duchenne, PPMD continues to insist that all people with Duchenne receive comprehensive care.

To learn more about PPMD's Certified Duchenne Care Center Program, visit PPMD's website. Click here to learn more about the history of PPMD's Certified Duchenne Care Center Program and to access PPMD's first published article on the program.

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs people of their muscle strength. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy—our mission is to end Duchenne.

We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of people affected by Duchenne and in research that will benefit future generations. We advocate in Washington, DC, and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. We demand optimal care, and we strengthen, unite and educate the global Duchenne community.

Everything we do—and everything we have done since our founding in 1994—helps people with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until every person has a treatment to end Duchenne. Go to www.ParentProjectMD.org for more information or to learn how you can support our efforts and help families affected by Duchenne. Follow PPMD on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 

About Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
Founded in 1897, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Neuromuscular Clinic (Gillette) was the first hospital in the nation for kids who have disabilities. Last year, nearly 25,000 families with children facing such complex medical conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, trusted Gillette to help their children thrive. Gillette tailors its care model specifically to the needs of its patient and family community so they can achieve their highest potential.

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Related Links

http://www.parentprojectmd.org