Professor Joshua Burns has been elected as Vice Chair on the Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Related Neuropathies Consortium (CMTR) Board of Directors, making him the first Australian to be elected to this prestigious position. CMTR is a Special Interest Group of the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS), an international organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with peripheral neuropathy.

The Vice Chair will serve for two years before becoming the Chair for two years (including serving ex-officio on the PNS Board), and then serve as Immediate Past Chair for two years, giving a total of six years on the CMTR Board.

Prof. Burns, who is the state-wide Director of the Paediatric Gait Analysis Service of NSW at CHW, Head of Neuropathy at Kids Neuroscience Centre, Head of School & Dean of the Sydney School of Health Sciences and Professor of Paediatric Neuromuscular Rehabilitation at the University of Sydney, has dedicated much of his career to researching new and improved treatments for the debilitating inherited condition.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is an incurable genetic disease of the nerves that causes progressive muscle weakness. Affecting approximately one in 2,500 Australians, CMT is the most common inherited neuromuscular condition, and causes a range of motor and sensory impairments, with the most debilitating impairment occurring in the feet and ankles.

Professor Burns’ appointment to the position of Vice Chair, which recognises an individual not only for their expertise but also for their character, is credit to not only his commitment but also to his wealth of experience in inherited neuropathy of childhood.

Professor Burns is set to officially commence his two-year term as Vice Chair in June.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Burns on this prestigious achievement.