Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Names Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, Certified Duchenne Care Center

HACKENSACK, N.J., May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children's Mercy Hospital (Children's Mercy) in Kansas City, Missouri, became the 11th 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. PPMD is pleased to recognize Children's Mercy for their compassion and care for people and families living with Duchenne.

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

Serving 50-100 families living with Duchenne, this comprehensive Duchenne care team serves both rural and urban families living in America's heartland.  They have implemented a formalized transition program and work closely with area providers to facilitate a smooth transfer to adult care with minimal loss to follow up.  Also unique is the institution's commitment to palliative care, which is supported by the institution and able to develop relationships with families early in the diagnosis and follow them lifelong.

"I am very proud of our multidisciplinary team," said Ann Modrcin, MD, EMBA, Director–Division of Rehabilitation. "The certification followed an intensive site review, and reflects our group's and our hospital's commitment. Our team provides comprehensive, evidence-based care, along with longitudinal management of boys with Duchenne, and other children with nerve or muscle disorders."

Kathi Kinnett, MSN, CNP, PPMD's Senior Vice President of Clinical Care and co-director of Transforming Duchenne Care Initiative (TDCI), is thrilled to award Children's Mercy certification for their dedication to Duchenne patients:

"Children's Mercy Hospital has worked diligently to develop a robust team of providers offering comprehensive care and services to families in our community.  We applaud their efforts and are pleased to recognize the program that they have built.  PPMD's Certified Duchenne Care Center Program is thrilled to include Children's Mercy Hospital in our expanding network of comprehensive Duchenne care."

Kinnett says that the PPMD receives numerous requests from centers wanting to be considered for certification. "When PPMD launched our certification program two years ago, 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 clinics are the best of the best. Throughout 2016, we will continue to certify more clinics across the country, recognizing teams of physicians for their leadership in Duchenne care and enabling 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.

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs young men 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 young men 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 boys with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until every young man 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 Children's Mercy Hospital

Children's Mercy, located in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the nation's top pediatric medical centers. The 354-bed, not-for-profit hospital provides care for children from birth through the age of 21, and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Children's Hospitals." For the fourth time in a row, Children's Mercy has achieved Magnet nursing designation, awarded to fewer than seven percent of all hospitals nationally, for excellence in quality care. Its faculty of more than 700 pediatric subspecialists and researchers across more than 40 subspecialties are actively involved in clinical care, pediatric research, and educating the next generation of pediatric subspecialists. With more than a century of generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children's Mercy has provided the highest level of medical care to every child who passes through its doors, regardless of a family's ability to pay. For more information about Children's Mercy and its research, visit childrensmercy.org. For breaking news and videos, follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

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SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Related Links

http://www.parentprojectmd.org