Megan Ann Waldrop, MD is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Ohio State University College of Medicine and a Pediatric Neurologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr.Waldrop’s long-term research goal is to function as a clinical scientist delivering innovative and efficient treatment to all eligible children with rare and ultra-rare neuromuscular diseases regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The title of her research project is “Improving access to genetic therapies for spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.” Her project will be explored through the following aims:

• To conduct a retrospective study of PEDSnet sites to determine the percentage of patients with delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation and the socioeconomic demographics of those patients and families.
• To determine which system-based and socioeconomic/literacy factors are most contributory to delays at each PEDSnet site.
• To develop a stakeholder engagement committee consisting of parents and caregivers of children with SMA and DMD from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, insurance company representatives, and drug manufacturer representatives to gain additional insights into their perspectives about health care delivery and treatment barriers.