Ask-the-Expert: Reproductive Health & Myotonic Dystrophy


Originally presented on November 15th, 2024.

Do you have questions for myotonic dystrophy (DM) doctors and therapists? Join Dr. Lorelei Thornburg, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, and Dr. Johanna Hamel, Assistant Professor in Neurology, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, from the University of Rochester for an "Ask the Expert" webinar on reproductive health and DM!

Find all our upcoming Ask the Expert dates and previously recorded sessions! >>>

MDF Resources referenced in this video:

About our Myotonic Dystrophy Experts

Dr. Lorelei Thornburg, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, University of Rochester  

Dr. Thornburg joined the faculty of the University of Rochester in June 2008. She received her undergraduate degree from Kalamazoo College graduating cum laude, and her medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she received the David S. Diamond Memorial Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York in 2005, where she also served as administrative chief resident during the final year of her residency. Dr. Thornburg completed her fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine (Perinatology- High Risk Obstetrics) at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York in 2008. She received the Ward L Ekas, the George C. Trombetta, the Obstetrical Perinatology, Dr. Curtis J. Lund, and the Creog Awards for leadership and teaching during the course of her residency, and the Todd Faculty Fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine Award during her fellowship. She is a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist and Maternal Fetal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Active areas of research include maternal obesity, ultrasound and resident education.

Dr. Johanna Hamel, Assistant Professor in Neurology, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester  

Dr. Hamel is an Associate Professor of Neurology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Hamel cares for patients with acquired and hereditary neuromuscular diseases in clinic, with special expertise in myotonic dystrophy (DM) type 1 and type 2 and FSHD. Dr. Hamel also performs electrodiagnostic studies in the EMG lab and teaches residents about neuromuscular diseases. She graduated from medical school at the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany and worked as a neurology resident and researcher at the Charité in Berlin before completing a neurology residency and a clinical neuromuscular fellowship at the University of Rochester.