Record-Breaking Impact During World Duchenne Awareness Month
Each September, World Duchenne Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the urgent needs and powerful momentum within our community. This year, CureDuchenne’s Physical and Occupational Therapy Certification Program saw unprecedented growth, confirming what we’ve long known: specialized training matters, and physical therapy can make all the difference for individuals living with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.
Unmatched Growth in Course Participation
In September 2025 alone, more physical therapy courses were purchased than in the previous eight months combined. This spike reflects not only a growing awareness of Duchenne-specific care, but also a recognition that the right therapy at the right time can improve outcomes.
Physical therapy for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is unique and requires specialized knowledge to provide safe and effective treatment. Treating someone without this expertise can increase the risk of further muscle damage and accelerate functional loss. But when applied correctly, therapy can help maintain mobility, delay complications, and enhance quality of life.
Celebrating New Certified Providers
We’re proud to welcome 14 new certified therapists into our global network:
New CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapists
- Kelly Espinoza
- Veronica Navia Gonzalez
- Jessica Fitzgerald
- Jackeline Gurdian
- Tania Diaz-Fernandez
- Ashley Rojas
New CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapists
- Joan Parker
- Julia Winski
- Jessica Salgado
- Janet Leiby
- Kari Fields
- Vaishali Gangajaliya
- Annah Sullivan
- Kendra Hendricks
This brings our total to:
- 121 CureDuchenne Certified PTs
- 22 CureDuchenne Certified OTs
- Across 28 U.S. states and 5 countries worldwide
Why Certification Matters
Physical therapy for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy requires specialized expertise. These conditions impact muscle function in distinct ways, and without a deep understanding of the disease, well-intentioned treatment can inadvertently cause harm, including accelerating muscle damage or loss of function. When guided by Duchenne-specific knowledge, however, physical therapy can play a vital role in preserving mobility, promoting independence, and slowing the progression of disease-related impairments.
That’s why CureDuchenne’s certification program does more than deliver education, it creates a national and international network of specialists.
For Therapists:
- Receive ongoing training from CureDuchenne’s Professional Development Department
- Get referrals from families through our national network
- Be listed on CureDuchenne.org as a certified provider
- Display the CureDuchenne Certified seal on materials, websites, and email signatures
- Join a collaborative, growing network of specialists
- Be introduced to new families and care providers in your area
For Families:
- Locate qualified therapists nearby with confidence
- Trust in a provider’s knowledge of Duchenne-specific best practices
- Experience more coordinated, consistent care
- Benefit from a therapist’s connection to a larger care network
Driving Global Care Excellence
CureDuchenne’s certification program continues to expand internationally, with therapists trained in countries including India, Hungary, Canada, Nigeria, and more. Our program is helping raise the global standard for Duchenne and Becker care—ensuring more families, no matter where they live, have access to specialized support.
As one program graduate shared:
“The CureDuchenne Certified Physical Therapy program was fundamental in empowering me with knowledge and confidence to be the founding physical therapist in our multidisciplinary DMD clinic at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.”
—Kara Arps, PT, DPT, PCS, ATP
Ready to Make a Difference?
Are you a physical or occupational therapist interested in becoming certified? Or a family looking for trusted care?
Start Here:
Together, we’re building a network of professionals dedicated to expert care and a brighter future for those living with Duchenne.
The post Physical Therapy Can Make All the Difference in Duchenne appeared first on CureDuchenne.