Find a Center of Excellence

CMT care is best delivered by a team. HNF has built a national network of CMT Centers of Excellence: medical centers that demonstrate strength in both clinical care and research, and that serve as hubs for the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) community. Being seen at a center that knows CMT can change your care and, often, your access to research and trials.

National network31 HNF-designated centers, US and Canada.

MultidisciplinaryOne coordinated team, not scattered visits.

Research-activeMany run research studies with some clinical trials.

CMT-experiencedClinicians who see CMT every week.

What a CMT Center of Excellence is

A Center of Excellence is a center HNF has designated for demonstrated excellence in CMT clinical care and research. These centers collaborate with HNF to serve as hubs for the CMT patient community, spanning clinical care, community engagement, research, and education and training for other providers.

Designation is not automatic. HNF runs an application process with set terms, and encourages partner centers to deliver excellent patient care and to host a Patient-Focused Summit or a CMT Connect webinar. Research centers may receive HNF funding for preclinical or clinical work and can serve as trial sites for HNF’s therapeutic research and accelerated discovery partners (TRIAD). Some of these sites also participate in the Global Registry for Inherited Neuropathies (GRIN) Natural History Study, and some lead sites have members on the TRIAD Council or the GRIN Advisory Council.

Seven members of a Center of Excellence care team standing together in a bright hospital atrium, wearing ID badges and smiling.

What a Center of Excellence offers

The value of a Center of Excellence is range: the specialists you need for CMT, in one coordinated place, with a path into research when it is right for you.

Expert diagnosis Neurologists who know CMT, plus access to EMG/NCV testing and genetic confirmation.

Bracing & AFOs Guidance on the many ankle-foot orthosis options and proper fitting.

Corrective surgery Foot and hand surgical procedures for the very young through adults.

Pain management Specialists who understand neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain in CMT.

PT & OT Physical and occupational therapy tailored to maintaining function.

Bone health CMT can weaken foot and ankle bones and lower bone density over time. A center can screen bone health, manage fractures and deformity, and coordinate with your therapy and bracing team.

Mental health Living with a progressive condition takes a real emotional toll. Support can include counseling, help with anxiety or depression, chronic-pain coping strategies, and connection to the CMT community.

Research & trials Many centers run clinical trials and can connect you with studies you may qualify for.

The multidisciplinary team

CMT touches many systems, so good care draws on many specialties. A Center of Excellence brings them together so you are not coordinating it all yourself.

Neurologist (neuromuscular specialist)
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Orthotist (bracing / AFOs)
Orthopedic / foot surgeon
Genetic counselor
Pain specialist
Pediatric specialists (for children)

Two ways to get genetically tested

You do not have to wait for a center visit to confirm your subtype. There are two paths, and both are valid.

Patient-initiated

You can start on your own through CMT Genie, HNF’s genetic-testing program with our partners at InformedDNA. It is done remotely, so an in-person visit is not required.

Physician-initiated

Your primary care physician, pediatrician, or neurologist can order genetic testing, as can any of the Centers of Excellence below. A genetic diagnosis is always obtainable through a Center of Excellence.

Science and medical care are critical for helping our patient community have access to the best options for maintaining function and mobility. There are wonderful CMT experts at our Centers of Excellence: hubs for clinical care, community engagement, and innovative research.

CMT Center of Excellence director (Florian Thomas, MD, PhD)

Find a center near you

HNF has designated 33 Centers of Excellence across the United States and Canada. Each listing shows the coordinator and physician, the office and scheduling numbers, and pediatric centers are marked. Use Request an introduction and we will connect you with that center and track the referral. Confirming your subtype first through CMT Genie helps any center give you the most useful care from the first visit.

33 centers (7 pediatric)

Centers of Excellence across the US and Canada

Hover a pin to preview a center, then click the card to request an introduction. Every center is also listed below.

Center of Excellence
Pediatric center

Barrow Neurological Institute

Coordinator: Rosa Anaya-Awward · MDA/ALS Coordinator
Office: 240 W. Thomas Rd., Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: Office602-406-6262 Coordinator602-406-2704

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Rosa Anaya-Awward and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital Pediatric

Physician: Dr. Aravindhan Veerapandiyan, Director, Comprehensive Neuromuscular Program
Office: 1 Children’s Way Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone: Primary care501-364-1850 Specialty care501-819-3520

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Aravindhan Veerapandiyan and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric

Coordinator: Hattie Foster · Clinic scheduler
Office: 13123 E 16th Ave Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: Schedulers720-777-2806

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Hattie Foster and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Hospital for Special Care

Charles H. Kaman Neuromuscular Center

Coordinator: Angel Preece, RN · Contact
Office: 2150 Corbin Avenue New Britain, CT 06053
Phone: Phone860-612-6305

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Angel Preece, RN and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Pediatric

Coordinator: Nanci Stolgitis, RN · Coordinator
Office: 505 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT 06032
Phone: Office860-837-7500

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Nanci Stolgitis, RN and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Office: 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion, A6600 Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: CMT clinic310-423-4268

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Stanford Neuroscience Health Center

Neuromuscular Clinic

Physicians: Dr. Robert FisherDr. John Day
Office: 213 Quarry Road, 1st Floor Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: Phone650-723-6469

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Robert Fisher and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

UCLA Department of Neurology

Physician: Dr. Anasheh Halabi
Office: 300 Medical Plaza, Suite B200 Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: Phone310-794-1195

Ask to be scheduled with Dr. Halabi.

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Anasheh Halabi and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital Pediatric

Physician: Dr. Bridget McGowan
Office: 225 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: Appointments1-800-543-7362 If CMT diagnosed312-227-4471

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Bridget McGowan and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Rush University

Physician: Ryan Jacobson, MD, Neurology
Office: 600 S. Paulina Street Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: Appointments312-942-5936

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Ryan Jacobson and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

UI Health

Outpatient Care Center

Physician: Dr. Charles Abrams, Neurology
Coordinator: Jessie Alverio · Clinic coordinator
Office: 1801 W. Taylor St., Suite 4E Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: Appointments312-996-4780 Nurse (L. Querry)312-355-0510

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Charles Abrams and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Kansas Medical Center

Landon Center on Aging

Coordinator: Andrew Heim · Contact
Office: 3599 Rainbow Boulevard, Mailstop 2012 Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: Phone913-945-9926

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Andrew Heim and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Florida Health

Coordinator: Melissa Hines · Contact
Office: 3009 Williston Road Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: Phone352-294-5000

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Melissa Hines and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Miami

Professional Arts Center

Coordinator: Keyla Hernandez · Contact
Office: 1150 NW 14th Street, 6th Floor Miami, FL 33136
Phone: Phone305-243-3100

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Keyla Hernandez and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

AdventHealth Orlando

Medical Group Neurology at Orlando

Physician: Tim Zhao, MD, PhD
Office: 265 E. Rollins St., 6th Floor Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: Phone407-303-6729

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Tim Zhao and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Department of Neurology

Coordinator: Kristen Roe · Contact
Office: 75 Francis St, Tower 5th Floor Boston, MA 02115
Phone: Phone617-525-6763

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Kristen Roe and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Massachusetts General Hospital

Neuromuscular Division

Office: 165 Cambridge St., Suite 820 Boston, MA 02114
Phone: Phone617-726-3642

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Massachusetts General Hospital and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Michigan

Coordinator: Keianna Banbury · Contact
Office: 2205 Commonwealth Blvd Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: Appointments734-763-2554

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Keianna Banbury and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Minnesota Health

Physician: Dr. David Walk
Office: Maple Grove, MN
Phone: Research612-624-7745 Clinic appointments763-898-1080

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. David Walk and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

SLUCare Academic Pavilion

Coordinator: Molly Labrier · Research
Office: 1008 S. Spring Saint Louis, MO 63110
Phone: Appointments314-977-6177

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Molly Labrier and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

MU Health Care

Department of Neurology

Physicians: Dr. Karim SalameDr. Vovant Jones
Office: 1020 Hitt Street Columbia, MO 65212
Phone: Phone573-882-1515

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Karim Salame and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Goryeb Children’s Hospital Pediatric

Coordinator: Nuratullahi Agboola · Contact
Office: 55 Madison Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: Phone973-971-5700

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Nuratullahi Agboola and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Hackensack University Medical Center

Neuroscience Institute

Physician: Dr. Florian Thomas
Office: 650 From Road, Suite 506 Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: Phone551-996-8100

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Florian Thomas and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of North Carolina

Physician: Dr. Rebecca Traub
Office: 194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200 Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: Clinical appointments984-974-4401

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Rebecca Traub and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute

Charlotte

Physician: Dr. Urvi Desai
Coordinator: Ashley Clyburn · Coordinator
Office: 1010 Edgehill Road North Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: Clinical appointments704-446-1900 Coordinator704-355-5650

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Urvi Desai and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Columbia University

Department of Neurology

Office: 710 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032
Phone: Clinical appointments212-305-0405 Research212-305-6035

For research studies, ask for Raisy Fayerman.

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Columbia University and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Oregon Neurology

Physician: Michael Balm, MD
Coordinator: Jody Nichols · Contact
Office: 1 Hayden Bridge Way Springfield, OR 97477
Phone: Phone541-868-9430

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Michael Balm and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Penn State Health Children’s Hospital Pediatric

Physician: Ashutosh Kumar, MBBS, MD
Office: Hershey, PA
Phone: Appointments717-531-0003 ext. 282193

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Ashutosh Kumar and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Austin Neuromuscular Center

Physician: Yessar Hussain, MD
Office: 3901 Medical Parkway, Ste. 300 Austin, TX 78756
Phone: Phone512-920-0140

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Yessar Hussain and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center

Neurology Rare Disease Center

Office: 1651 Justin Rd Flower Mound, TX 75028
Phone: Phone972-982-7411

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Providence St. Luke’s

Physiatry and Neuromuscular Center

Coordinator: Dianna Russell · Contact
Office: 715 South Cowley Street, Suite 228 Spokane, WA 99202
Phone: Phone509-473-6706

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dianna Russell and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Washington Medical Center

Physician: Dr. Nassim Rad
Office: 959 NE Pacific Street Seattle, WA 98195
Phone: CMT scheduler206-598-0058

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Dr. Nassim Rad and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

University of Toronto Pediatric

SickKids Neuromuscular Clinic

Physician: Hernan D. Gonorazky, MD
Office: Toronto, ON, Canada

A primary care provider must send a referral to the SickKids Neuromuscular Clinic before an appointment can be arranged.

Request an introduction

We’ll introduce you to Hernan D. Gonorazky and track your referral. Your details go to HNF, not published anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What is a CMT Center of Excellence?

A Center of Excellence (COE) is a medical center that HNF has designated for demonstrated strength in both CMT clinical care and research. These centers bring the specialists you need into one coordinated team, and many serve as sites for clinical trials and studies.

Do I have to travel to a Center of Excellence to get good CMT care?

Not always. A COE is the gold standard for complex or coordinated care, and some centers offer virtual visits by telemedicine. Even one visit to a CMT-experienced center can help shape a care plan your local team can follow. If you need help finding a CMT-experienced clinician, use Request an introduction above and we will point you in the right direction.

How do I find a Center of Excellence near me?

The current list of HNF Centers of Excellence, with locations and scheduling phone numbers, is on this page. Pediatric centers are marked. Confirming your subtype first, through CMT Genie, helps any center give you the most useful care from the first visit.

What kinds of specialists are at a Center of Excellence?

A COE typically brings together a neuromuscular neurologist, physical and occupational therapists, an orthotist for bracing, an orthopedic or foot surgeon, a genetic counselor, a pain specialist, and pediatric specialists for children, all coordinating around your care rather than leaving you to organize it yourself.

Find a Center of Excellence

Connecting with a center that knows CMT can change your care and your access to research. Find a center, then confirm your subtype so your first visit is as useful as possible.

Find a Center of Excellence Confirm your subtype (CMT Genie)

Centers of Excellence are also where research happens. Join GRIN → to help power the trials many of these centers run.