Praxis SCN2A Programs - Dr Michael Oldham & Devra Densmore
Dr Michael Oldham MD MPH is a child neurologist and paediatric epileptologist, completing paediatrics and child neurology training at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center followed by clinical neurophysiology/epilepsy fellowship at the University of California-San Francisco. He served on faculty in the division of child neurology at the University of Louisville where he treated children of all ages with epilepsy and was the director of the neonatal neurology program. His clinical experience with paediatric epilepsy included attending in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), as well as in various outpatient epilepsy clinics, such as new onset epilepsy, complex epilepsy, and epilepsy surgery clinics.
Dr Oldham transition to the biotech/pharmaceutical industry where he was the medical lead of several compounds for the treatment of CNS diseases, specifically movement disorders, addiction, and disorders affecting paediatric populations with neurologically-devastating diseases. He spent over 3 years working as a medical director for a clinical research organisation (CRO), involved in a wide range of studies in neuroscience and rare disease.
His love the paediatric epilepsy and commitment to help find cures for genetic epilepsy is due him to Praxis, where he is currently the clinical lead for the epilepsy/neurodevelopmental and rare disease programs. He holds board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) in both neurology with special qualification in child neurology as well as epilepsy.
Devra Densmore MPA. “Was the patient voice heard clearly today?” That is the question I wake up asking and it’s what I reflect on before I go to sleep. As the patient advocacy lead for rare diseases, my role at Praxis Precision Medicines (praxis) is to ensure that every patient and their caregiver has their lived experiences heard and valued.
Over the last 13 years of work with advocacy groups in the endometriosis, uterine fibroids, infertility, postpartum depression, Alzheimer’s, interstitial cystitis, Alport syndrome, and HIV/AIDS spaces. From educating patients about what clinical research is and how they can contribute toward driving scientific discoveries forward, to co-developing programmes and services for patients, to connecting the patient voice to important events like medical converses and patient advisory boards, I have the opportunity to ensure the questions and concerns in patients have are shared with decision-makers.
I am very excited to learn from the SCN2A community. If you’d like to learn more about praxis or share your story please contact me at patientadvocacy@praxismedicines.com.
