Chad R. Heatwole, M.D.

Chad Heatwole, MD, MS-CI is a neuromuscular clinician and researcher from the University of Rochester. He has an engineering degree from Virginia Tech, a medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, a master's degree in clinical investigation, and has completed a University of Rochester neurology residency, electrophysiology fellowship, and NIH-funded neuromuscular experimental therapeutics fellowship. His research funding has included a National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases K23 award, a Muscular Dystrophy Association TRIG award, and a New York State ECRIP award (among other awards). Dr. Heatwole's research has led to the development of an international network dedicated to improving the quality-of-life of neuromuscular patients through patient-centered clinical research. His primary professional interests include providing optimal care to patients with neuromuscular disorders, performing electrodiagnostic studies, training medical personnel, evaluating novel experimental therapeutics for neurological diseases though clinical trials, and developing an improved infrastructure to utilize disease-specific, patient-relevant endpoint measures for use in clinical trials and patient monitoring.

As a neurologist with sub-specialty training in neuromuscular medicine, electrophysiology, and experimental therapeutic development I am committed to: 1) providing optimal care to patients with neurological and neuromuscular disease; 2) teaching students, residents, and fellows; and, 3) training faculty in therapeutics and outcome measure development research. My main focus is in the management and diagnosis of patients with muscular dystrophy. Working in a well-established Neuromuscular Disease clinic at URMC, I have been able to develop a patient referral base from across the United States and from multiple countries throughout the world. My "myotonia clinic" now forms a key resource for patient recruitment and therapeutic care at the University of Rochester. In addition, I am partnering with patients and potential donors to develop a myotonic dystrophy type-2 research and clinical care center of excellence at the University of Rochester.

Professional Background

As a neurologist with sub-specialty training in neuromuscular medicine, electrophysiology, and experimental therapeutic development I am committed to: 1) providing optimal care to patients with neurological and neuromuscular disease; 2) teaching students, residents, and fellows; and, 3) training faculty in therapeutics and outcome measure development research. My main focus is in the management and diagnosis of patients with muscular dystrophy. Working in a well-established Neuromuscular Disease clinic at URMC, I have been able to develop a patient referral base from across the United States and from multiple countries throughout the world. My "myotonia clinic" now forms a key resource for patient recruitment and therapeutic care at the University of Rochester. In addition, I am partnering with patients and potential donors to develop a myotonic dystrophy type-2 research and clinical care center of excellence at the University of Rochester.v

Research