Current Environment:

Our Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Program at Boston Children’s Hospital brings together diverse providers who are experts in the care of children with SMA. The program was created in 2004 and is directed by child neurologist Basil Darras, MD.

We have also created a network of other Boston Children’s specialists who are experienced in caring for children with SMA. This collaboration makes it easier for families to find providers in other specialties who are knowledgeable about SMA.

Basil Darras, MD

Associate Neurologist-in-Chief; Chief, Division of Clinical Neurology; Director, Neuromuscular Center and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program

Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

Charles Berde, MD, PhD

Senior Associate in Perioperative Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine

Professor of Anaesthesia (Pediatrics), Harvard Medical School

Mary Dubon, MD

Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Specialist, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department

Instructor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Harvard Medical School

Laurie Fishman, MD

Attending Physician, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Partha Sekhar Ghosh, MD

Assistant, Department of Neurology

Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

Robert J. Graham, MD

Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine

Associate Professor of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School

Anjali Koka, MD

Associate in Perioperative Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine

Instructor of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School

Horacio M. Padua, MD

Acting Interventional Radiology Division Chief, Department of Radiology; Staff Pediatric Interventional Radiologist, Department of Radiology

Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School

Navil Sethna, MBchB

Clinical Director, Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Center; Senior Associate in Pain Medicine and Perioperative Anesthesia, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine

Professor of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School

Rebecca Siegel, MD

Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Doctor, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department

Instructor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Harvard Medical School

Brian Snyder, MD, PhD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department

Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Scellig S. D. Stone, MD, PhD, FRCSC

Co-Director of Epilepsy Center; Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery; Neurosurgical Director, Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation Program

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School

Colyn Watkins, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department

Instructor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Nursing Staff

Kathy Harney, RN, CPNP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care, Anesthesia Perioperative and Home Ventilation (CAPE Program)

Regina Laine, MSN, PNP-BC, CNRN

SMA Program Nurse Coordinator and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Department of Neurology

Jennifer McCrave, RN, BSN, CNRN

Registered Nurse, Department of Neurology

Julie Shurtleff, RN, CPNP

Pediatric Nurse Practitoner, Critical Care, Anesthesia Perioperative and Home Ventilation (CAPE Program)

Nutritionist

Stacey Tarrant, RD, LDN

Clinical Nutrition Specialist II, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Physical Therapists

Elizabeth Maczek, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist, Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services

Amy Pasternak, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist, Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services

Genetics Counselor

Elicia Estrella, MS, LCGC

Senior Genetic Counselor, Neurogenetics Program