Meet Dr. Nivedita Jerath, MD, MS - AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute Center of Excellence
The AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute is fully committed to patient excellence, care, and exceeding expectations. Patients will experience a team that is superb beyond expectations. If they are coming from far, they will be catered to with our destination team. When they arrive, they will experience an environment full of love, kindness, friendliness, and softness. They will observe an amazing facility, receive an in-depth physician evaluation, electrodiagnostic testing, genetic testing, and opportunities to get all the multidisciplinary therapies that they need. They will also be involved in any research studies that we may have.
Dr. Nivedita Jerath, MD, MS directs the neuromuscular medicine division at AdventHealth Orlando and leads the HNF Center of Excellence at the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute. We sat down with her to learn more about her background, her passion for CMT, and what patients can expect when they visit the COE.
Tell us about yourself.
I love my patients and treat them like friends and family. I grew up in Augusta, Georgia, played tennis at a national level, and was fortunate to attend Harvard University. I wanted to help others, so I focused on a medical career, following the path of my mother, who is also a neurologist. I attended Mayo Clinic College of Medicine for medical school, then returned to Harvard for my neurology residency at Mass General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. After 13 years of long distance, I joined my husband in Iowa City, completed my fellowship there, and received a Muscular Dystrophy Association clinical training grant to study driving ability in people with CMT1A. I later moved from Iowa City to Florida, where I currently direct the neuromuscular medicine division at AdventHealth Orlando.
Why did you choose CMT as your focus?
I was always interested in peripheral neuropathy (conditions affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) and was fortunate to work with a superb mentor, Dr. Michael Shy at the University of Iowa. I learned a great deal and realized that, despite all my previous training, I truly learned about CMT for the first time in Iowa City. Recognizing how rare and under-recognized CMT was made me determined to study it.
Why is CMT your passion?
For many reasons. I love finding new genes and mutations that cause peripheral neuropathies. Genetics is an emerging area of neurology in which conditions once labeled “idiopathic” (of unknown cause) can now be explained by specific genetic mutations. Finding those genes helps us develop future treatments. The scientific connection between a genetic mutation and its clinical effects is endlessly fascinating. There is so much still to achieve in both knowledge and treatment for people with CMT. And the CMT community itself is remarkable: the most kind and intelligent people I have ever met.
What will patients experience at the HNF Center of Excellence at AdventHealth?
The AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute is fully committed to patient excellence and to exceeding expectations. Patients will be cared for by an exceptional team. Those traveling from out of town will be supported by our destination care team. On arrival, patients will find an environment built around warmth, kindness, and attentive care. Each visit includes an in-depth physician evaluation, electrodiagnostic testing (nerve and muscle studies), genetic testing, and access to the full range of multidisciplinary therapies. Patients may also have the opportunity to participate in ongoing research studies.
What are the benefits of being evaluated at an HNF Center of Excellence?
The benefits are wide-ranging: a clinical research evaluation, electrodiagnostic evaluation, assessment for pain, evaluation for potential enrollment in a treatment trial, the latest therapeutic guidance, physical therapy evaluation, occupational therapy evaluation, genetic testing, podiatry consultation, orthopedic surgery evaluation, and orthotics evaluation.
What other doctors will patients be able to see?
Depending on individual needs, patients can see a pain physician, podiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, spiritual counselor, pulmonologist, orthotist, and more.
What kinds of success stories have you seen with CMT patients?
There are many. Some involve identifying rare genetic mutations for patients and their families, which is critical for future generations. Others involve patients engaging in physical therapy and occupational therapy and making meaningful gains in leg strength, gait, balance, and hand function. On follow-up visits, patients are excited to show off their new ankle-foot orthotics or share that a small adjustment to their pain medication, stretching, or exercise routine made a real difference. For patients who have spent years searching for a diagnosis, the visit and a confirmed genetic finding often bring genuine peace of mind. Patients dealing with pain are frequently relieved after meeting with our pain specialist. Above all, patients feel like they are part of a care team that truly knows them.
How can patients make an appointment?
Patients can call the clinic at 407-303-6729 and ask specifically for a visit with Dr. Jerath in the CMT clinic. Multiple family members, including children, are welcome. Patients can also reach Dr. Jerath by email at Orl.neuromuscular.medicine@adventhealth.com.