Introducing Dr. Rebecca Traub, University of North Carolina

The University of North Carolina has joined the HNF network as a new Center of Excellence. We spoke with Dr. Rebecca Traub about her background, her passion for CMT care, and what patients can expect at the UNC center.

Tell us about yourself.

I completed my training in Neurology and Neuromuscular Medicine at Columbia University, where I became specifically interested in treating patients with peripheral neuropathies (conditions affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). After practicing as faculty at Columbia for a number of years, I moved to the University of North Carolina four years ago. I have enjoyed developing the peripheral neuropathy program at UNC and focusing on building a program dedicated to serving patients with hereditary neuropathies.

Why is CMT your passion?

I have both personal and professional interests in CMT. I have a number of family members affected by CMT and have seen how the disease affects people in my personal life. I have also seen how resilient people with CMT can be in adapting to their challenges.

Professionally, it is an exciting time to treat patients with CMT. The field of genetics has expanded rapidly in the past ten years and we continue to learn many new things about how hereditary neuropathies can present in diverse ways. Additionally, we are just beginning to see a breadth of new therapies developed for many genetic disorders, including a number of hereditary neuropathies. I am optimistic that there are a number of exciting new research studies and approved treatments on the near-horizon for patients with CMT.

What will patients experience when they come to the UNC Center?

Patients evaluated at the UNC CMT center may be seen for consultations to first determine whether they have an inherited neuropathy, or to obtain genetic testing to establish the CMT type. Once established in the center, patients are seen in an interdisciplinary clinic with a physician, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, orthotist, and orthopedist as needed. Additional consultations with other allied health providers or medical specialists can be arranged through the UNC system. We discuss CMT research progress at our visits and which research trials may be applicable to each patient.

What do you love most about your practice?

I love that I get to see a broad range of patients with neuromuscular disorders, many with CMT, coming from diverse backgrounds. I get to treat patients from the research triangle surrounding Chapel Hill, as well as from across North Carolina and the broader region. I get to work with outstanding colleagues in Neurology and other medical and surgical specialties, supporting patients with excellent clinical care and advancing medical research at the institution.

How can patients make an appointment at the UNC Center?

Patients who would like to be seen at the UNC CMT center should ask their primary care or other treating physician to send a referral by fax, email, or electronic portal. Full instructions are available on the UNC Department of Neurology website.