The Division of Neuromuscular Medicine is committed to providing patient care, education and cutting-edge research across the full spectrum of neuromuscular disorders.  

As national leaders in the care of disorders such as muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), acquired myopathies and peripheral neuropathies, our team includes neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, nutritionists.

The pediatric neuromuscular medicine program, located in the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR), provides a multidisciplinary approach to a broad spectrum of pediatric neuromuscular diseases. Two pediatric neurologists, both with dual certification in neuromuscular medicine, lead seven specialty providers who have disease-specific certifications. Physicians collaborate with a talented team across many disciplines including an educational specialist, geneticist, physical therapist, speech therapist, nutritionist, social worker, nurse coordinator, genetic counselor and orthotist.

With diagnostic testing and EMG available, this program targets early identification of pediatric neuromuscular diseases, follows disease-specific care consideration guidelines, educates patients and families, offers opportunities to participate in clinical research and facilitates independence through the ages.   

Our multidisciplinary team is known for its dedication to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for patients with neuromuscular disorders. 

We diagnose, treat and manage the following disorders:  

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
• Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)
• Inclusion body myositis (IBM)
• Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)
• Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)
• Motor neuron diseases (MNDs)
• Multifocal motor neuropathy
• Myasthenia gravis (MG)
• Myotonic dystrophy
• Peripheral neuropathies
• Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM)   

By conducting cutting-edge clinical and translational research across a broad range of neuromuscular disorders, the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine aims to bring innovative and novel therapies to our patients. 

Dr. Gordon Smith is an expert in acquired neuropathies and has a lead role in several clinical trials aimed at addressing the underlying causes of these neuropathies. This includes serving as the principal investigator of a NeuroNEXT study called TopCSPN, a double-blind clinical trial of topiramate as a disease-altering therapy for cryptogenic sensory peripheral neuropathy (CSPN) in metabolic syndrome. 

Dr. Nicholas Johnson serves as a coordinating principal investigator for two international research networks aimed at developing clinical outcome assessments for the myotonic dystrophies and limb girdle muscular dystrophies, and his lab focuses on understanding the genetic modifiers of these diseases. 

Dr. Kelly Gwathmey serves as the principal investigator on several ALS, myasthenia gravis, CIDP and myositis studies.

A full list of current clinical trials conducted by researchers in the Department of Neurology is available here on our research page.  

Neuromuscular Fellowship

Each year, the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine provides advanced clinical training for one fellow. The one-year program provides extensive education in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of neuromuscular disorders.  

The fellow will gain hands-on electrodiagnostic experience, participate in research, attend conferences and provide patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.