“She cares! And she’s supportive of VEDA. She is encouraging and helps me learn new exercises and techniques that help me to cope.”

Jessica Klain ~ Physical Therapy

1917 Abbott Road Suite 200, Anchorage, Alaska

Phone: 319-356-2957

Website: http://www.aptak.com

Nominated by: Linda Witthoeft

” Dr. Feldman is so supportive of his patients. He knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Our family has never once received an incorrect diagnosis and whatever he recommends is sure to have a positive impact. My husband and my daughter are blessed to receive treatment from Dr. Feldman and he is so dedicated to his patients. He has two offices, one in New York which he visits every month, and one in Florida where he performs most of his surgeries. He is an amazing man and should be fully recognized for his abilities and wonderful character. If you are in Florida or New York, visit him.”

David Feldman ~ Orthopedics

Paley Institute ~ Kimmel Building, 901 45th St, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Phone: 561-844-5255

Website: https://paleyinstitute.org/

Nominated by: Brooke Warren

“Dr. Gutmann has been a godsend. When I have an appointment with her she makes me feel like I’m her only patient. She explains in a way that I understand and she takes time to answer all my questions. I hate my disease, but love Dr. Gutmann.”

Laurie Gutmann ~ Neuromuscular Disease Specialist

University of Iowa Hospital, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa

Phone: 319-356-2957

Website: http://www.uihealthcare.com

Nominated by: Diane McCall

“Dr. Gutmann shows outstanding care for the thousands of patients she treats. I thank her very much for her care and assistance in living through CMT.”

Nominated by: Gregory Hodges-Tinner

John T. Cambell ~ Foot & Ankle Reconstruction

301 St Paul Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Phone: 410-659-2800

Website: https://mdmercy.com/centers-of-excellence/orthopedics-bone-and-joint/institute-for-foot-and-ankle-reconstruction?sc_lang=en

Nominated by: Lissette MiroQuesada

“Dr. G was kind, caring and spent time with me and my family and explained CMT. For the first time I felt like I was being heard.”

Raghav Govindarajan ~ Neuromuscular

1020 Hitt Street, Columbia, Missouri

Phone: 573-882-1515

Website: https://www.muhealth.org/conditions-treatments/neurosciences/neurology

Nominated by: Linda Tucker

“Dr. Wayne Berberian is among the rare physicians who have mastered both a caring patient-centered approach and a level of surgical skill that is so advanced; it can be viewed as true artistry. He was recommended to us through a family friend and throughout our daughters four surgeries had exceeded our expectations on many levels. Dakota is my daughter and she has Charcot Marie Tooth Disease – CMT 1A.

Since her diagnosis at age eleven, we have worked tirelessly to find treatments that could slow the progression and provide her with the most comfortable, pain-free life possible. Just before Dakota’s nineteenth birthday, we began our search for a physician who could tell us if Dakota was a candidate for surgery. My pre-requisites consisted of finding a surgeon with both a stellar reputation and experience/knowledge of CMT. Individuals living with CMT understand how difficult this can be.

Happily, we found Dr. Berberian and in addition to his skills and experience, his kind, considerate demeanor was a fantastic bonus! Dakota, like many living with moderate to severe forms of CMT can be helped with surgery. Surgeries such as tendon transfers and osteotomies can increase strength and mobility. Dakota’s case required four surgeries – two for each foot. Each foot consisted of ten procedures broken down to two surgeries of five procedures each. The procedures Dr. Berberian performed were focused on correcting Dakota’s: forefoot deformity, cavus high arch, ankle laxity, and tendon relocation. In addition to twelve hospital affiliations, Dr. Berberian is one of a number of top physicians who own and operate Vanguard Surgical Center in Maywood NJ. Vanguard offers exceptional care.

Beyond the top quality surgical care, the experience of the patient and family members is enhanced by an innovative team approach that includes extraordinary anethesiologists, nurses and support staff. The level of care that Vanguard provides to patients should be a model for hospitals and surgical centers to aspire to. As our family approached Dakota’s first surgery, we prepared for a difficult year.

Her recovery has (of course) been challenging but the support from Dr. Berberian and his team has made the last five months significantly easier. Selecting the right surgeon is critical. For us, that surgeon is Dr. Wayne Berberian. I have conveyed to Dakota in the moments when she is struggling with the painful recovery, that she is changing her path in life, and remind her how brave she is to endure this long process.

Her outlook is positive and she cannot wait to begin college this fall with a brand new pair of feet! Dakota is taking charge of her CMT and Dr. Berberian has given her to ability to take the ‘first step’ into her future!”

Wayne Berberian ~ Foot & Ankle Orthopedic Surgeon

113 W. Essex Street, Maywood, NJ

Phone: 201-880-6790

Nominated by: Kerin Reilly

“Christina has experience working with CMT patients and is very attentive and passionate about helping others gain strength and mobility!”

Christina Panetta ~ Physical Therapist

3385 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite I, Ronkonkoma, NY

Phone: 631-676-3111

Nominated by: Estela Lugo

“He is the best, very kind man and spent time with me and answered all my questions.”

Larry Wrabetz ~ Neurologist

Buffalo, NY

Phone: 716-881-8913 

Website: http://medicine.buffalo.edu/faculty/profile.html?ubit=lwrabetz

Nominated by: Jennifer Gold

“I’m happy to nominate Dr. David Scher at the Hospital for Special Surgery. I have three children with CMT that Dr. Scher has been evaluating and treating for about 8 years now, so we’ve gotten to know Dr. Scher pretty well. Dr. Scher is an exceptionally skilled surgeon who’s years of experience alone, and record treating patients with CMT, is enough to have him at or near the top of the “Docs That Rock!” list. However, it’s how Dr. Scher works with families affected by CMT that I think set him apart and above the rest. Even as a CMT patient myself, who was diagnosed as a child and has undergone a number of corrective surgeries, determining if and when my kids needed surgery to treat their CMT was a difficult decision (to say the least). My wife and I consulted a LOT of reputable doctors, but were put off by quick diagnoses, calls for immediate surgical intervention and some doctor’s inability to relate to our kids. Then we found Dr. Scher. Our kids immediately warmed to Dr. Scher, who takes his time evaluating children and speaks to them directly, respectfully, and in simple terms. This was great, but it’s what Dr. Scher did during our first appointment that really blew us away. He asked me to take off MY shoes so he could see how MY CMT has progressed – asking about the surgical procedures I’ve had and how my progression mirrored that of my father. He was the first and only surgeon to ask anything about the progression of CMT amongst other family members. Dr. Scher recognizes how important family history can be in diagnosing children with a progressive disease, putting an effective treatment plan in place and preparing the family for what lies ahead (i.e. based on my own CMT journey). With this valuable information, Dr. Scher was better able to diagnose our children and speak to us about surgical options and timing – giving us the tools and information we needed as parents to feel confident we were making the best surgical decisions for our children. Dr. Scher knows CMT. He knows how to correct the terrible damage it causes to young bodies. However, it’s his foresight, focus on progression and outcomes and interest in getting a true 360 degree view of the patient (and their family) that makes him unique, and certainly qualifies him as a “Doc that Rocks!”

David Scher ~ Children’s Orthopedics

535 East 70th Street 5th floor (Hospital for Special Surgery) New York, NY

Phone: 212-606-1253‬

Nominated by: Matt Downing

“Dr. Patterson is the first doctor that treated me as a person. She treated all my symptoms, not just her area of specialty. I had reached the point with things going wrong with my body that I started to think I was going crazy. She is very thorough.”

Terry Heiman-Patterson ~ Neurologist

Good Shepherd Rehab. hospital 5th street , Allentown PA

Nominated by: Linda Houseknecht

“Dr. Benditt is always willing to listen and follows through with his commitments.”

Josh Benditt ~ Pulmonary Specialist

1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356166, Seattle WA

Phone: 206-598-4615

Nominated by: Joy Aldrich

“She has a good understanding of CMT and HNPP symptoms, shows empathy and concern for patients, and follows up with steps to help. In my case, a referral for a surgery.”

Katrina Bernardo ~ Neurology

Neurology Clinic at UWMC, 1959 NE Pacific St., 8th Floor Seattle WA

Phone: 206-598-7688

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-bernardo-010b2794/

Nominated by: Tim Teebken

“Dr. Mattio is so compassionate and knows exactly how to describe how it feels to have CMT. He got my disability claim to go through on the first try.”

Thomas Mattio ~ Neurologist

1305 W American Drive, Neenah, WI

Website: https://neurosciencegroup.com/thomas-g-mattio/

Phone: 920-725-9373

Nominated by: Corinna  Feldkamp