Vice-Chair Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Recognition & Awards
Outstanding Council Service Award, Pediatric Rehabilitation/Developmental Disabilities Council, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
(2017)
Seattle Magazine Top Doctor Award, Seattle Magazine
(2017)
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Distinguished Clinician Award, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
(2015)
Seattle Children's Family Choice Award, Seattle Children's Hospital
(2013)
Rod & Randy Halvorson Award, Muscular Dystrophy Association
(2013)
5280 Top Doctor Denver, 5280 Magazine
(2008)
2006, 2007, 2008
My research interests are in the delivery of novel drug treatments to children and adolescents with neuromuscular conditions.
Publications
Omura JC, Chen M, Haviland M, Apkon S. Respiratory outcomes in children with congenital myotonic dystrophy. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2021 Nov 14. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34806628
Shieh PB, Elfring G, Trifillis P, Santos C, Peltz SW, Parsons JA, Apkon S, Darras BT, Campbell C, McDonald CM. Meta-analyses of deflazacort versus prednisone/prednisolone in patients with nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Comp Eff Res. 2021 Dec;10(18):1337-1347. PubMed PMID: 34693725
Marden JR, Santos C, Pfister B, Able R, Lane H, Somma M, Zhao J, Signorovitch J, Parsons J, Apkon S. Steroid switching in dystrophinopathy treatment: a US chart review of patient characteristics and clinical outcomes. J Comp Eff Res. 2021 Oct;10(14):1065-1078. PubMed PMID: 34275333
Contesse MG, Sapp ATL, Apkon SD, Lowes LP, Dalle Pazze L, Leffler MG. Reliability and construct validity of the Duchenne Video Assessment. Muscle Nerve. 2021 Aug;64(2):180-189. PubMed PMID: 34050939
Jimenez N, Fuentes M, Virtue A, Alonso-Gonzalez L, Lopez E, Zhou C, Crawley D, Apkon S, Johnston B, Rivara F. Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telephone-Based Intervention for Hispanic Children to Promote Treatment Adherence After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2021 Jul-Aug 01;36(4):274-281. PubMed PMID: 33656480
Sholas MG, Apkon SD, Houtrow AJ. Children With Disabilities Must Be More Than an Afterthought in School Reopening. JAMA Pediatr. 2021 Apr 1;175(4):423-424. PubMed PMID: 33393975
Apkon S, Kinnett K, Cripe L, Duan D, Jackson JL, Kornegay JN, Mah ML, Nelson SF, Rao V, Scavina M, Wong BL, Flanigan KM. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Females with Dystrophinopathy Conference, Orlando, Florida June 26 - June 27, 2019. J Neuromuscul Dis. 2021;8(2):315-322. PubMed PMID: 33361607
Weaver JJ, Hallam DK, Chick JFB, Vaidya S, Shin DS, Natarajan N, Rad N, Reis J, Koo KSH, Shivaram GM, Thibodeau A, Apkon S, Monroe EJ. Transforaminal intrathecal delivery of nusinersen for older children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy and complex spinal anatomy: an analysis of 200 consecutive injections. J Neurointerv Surg. 2021 Jan;13(1):75-78. PubMed PMID: 32471828
Noritz G, Naprawa J, Apkon SD, Kinnett K, Racca F, Vroom E, Birnkrant DJ. Primary Care and Emergency Department Management of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Pediatrics. 2018 Oct;142(Suppl 2):S90-S98. PubMed PMID: 30275253
Apkon SD, Alman B, Birnkrant DJ, Fitch R, Lark R, Mackenzie W, Weidner N, Sussman M. Orthopedic and Surgical Management of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Pediatrics. 2018 Oct;142(Suppl 2):S82-S89. PubMed PMID: 30275252
Case LE, Apkon SD, Eagle M, Gulyas A, Juel L, Matthews D, Newton RA, Posselt HF. Rehabilitation Management of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Pediatrics. 2018 Oct;142(Suppl 2):S17-S33. PubMed PMID: 30275246
Apkon S, Noritz G. The primary care pediatrician: key to improving neuromotor outcomes. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2018 Sep;60(9):851. PubMed PMID: 30133721
Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, Apkon SD, Blackwell A, Colvin MK, Cripe L, Herron AR, Kennedy A, Kinnett K, Naprawa J, Noritz G, Poysky J, Street N, Trout CJ, Weber DR, Ward LM. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 3: primary care, emergency management, psychosocial care, and transitions of care across the lifespan. Lancet Neurol. 2018 May;17(5):445-455. PubMed PMID: 29398641
Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, Alman BA, Apkon SD, Blackwell A, Case LE, Cripe L, Hadjiyannakis S, Olson AK, Sheehan DW, Bolen J, Weber DR, Ward LM. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 2: respiratory, cardiac, bone health, and orthopaedic management. Lancet Neurol. 2018 Apr;17(4):347-361. PubMed PMID: 29395990
Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, Apkon SD, Blackwell A, Brumbaugh D, Case LE, Clemens PR, Hadjiyannakis S, Pandya S, Street N, Tomezsko J, Wagner KR, Ward LM, Weber DR. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: diagnosis, and neuromuscular, rehabilitation, endocrine, and gastrointestinal and nutritional management. Lancet Neurol. 2018 Mar;17(3):251-267. PubMed PMID: 29395989
Weaver JJ, Natarajan N, Shaw DWW, Apkon SD, Koo KSH, Shivaram GM, Monroe EJ. Transforaminal intrathecal delivery of nusinersen using cone-beam computed tomography for children with spinal muscular atrophy and extensive surgical instrumentation: early results of technical success and safety. Pediatr Radiol. 2018 Mar;48(3):392-397. PubMed PMID: 29130140
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests include the care of children and adolescents with neuromuscular conditions including muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. In addition I have a clinical interest in the care of children with cerebral palsy.
Care Philosophy
I am committed to providing the highest level of care to children and their families. My approach to care is to focus on a child's functional abilities in the setting of their underlying medical condition with the ultimate goal of maximizing their ability to participate in family and community activities.
General Information
Medical Schools:
MD, University of Vermont College of Medicine
(1994)
Undergraduate Schools:
BS, Northwestern University (IL)
(1996)
MA, Northwestern University (IL)
(1987)
Internships:
University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program
(1994)
Residency Programs:
University of Colorado, Pediatrics (1999)
University of Colorado, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1999)