Overview
The 2025 CMTA Patient & Research Summit will be held on Friday, September 5th – Sunday, September 7th at the Embassy Suites at Indianapolis Airport in Plainfield, Indiana. The CMTA Summit offers life-improving presentations on living well with CMT and will provide a comprehensive update on CMTA’s Strategy to Accelerate Research (STAR) programs and initiatives, presented by top CMT researchers.If you missed the 2024 CMTA Patient & Research Summit in Denver, you can still purchase the Summit recordings.
2025 CMT Patient & Research Summit Agenda
We welcome attendees to check in at the registration table during this time and then join us in the ballroom for a full plated breakfast, coffee, and refreshments.
Speaker: Sue Bruhn, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, Sue Bruhn, PhD, will give the opening address
which will include highlights from the CMTA, Summit flow of the day, and much more.
Speakers: Laurie Gutmann, MD and her CMT clinic team
During this session you will have the opportunity to meet the CMTA Center of Excellence team from IU Health. This panel discussion will be led by CMT Clinic Director, Dr. Laurie Gutmann. This will be an interactive, open Q and A panel discussion.
Speakers: IU Health Physical Therapy Team
This session will focus on the most important exercises people with CMT can do daily to help manage CMT. You will hear best practices from physical therapists working in the IU Health CMT Clinic.
Take a moment to enjoy the exhibit hall, have a snack, join a mini workout with Julie Stone, and mingle with other attendees.
Speaker: Ashley McElroy, MSME
This session will focus on the best gadgets, adaptive tools, and assistive technology devices that can make activities of daily living easier for people with CMT.
Speakers: Session Chair – Glenn Pfeffer, MD / Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,
Paul Talusan, MD / University of Michigan, and Tyler Gonzalez, MD, MBA / Prisma Health
This session will be a panel discussion led by renown foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon Dr. Glenn Pfeffer. The discussion will focus on best surgical options, practices and outcomes for CMT foot reconstruction.
Take time to enjoy lunch, the exhibit hall, join a mini workout with Julie Stone, and mingle with other attendees.
Speakers: David Meisner, BSc (HK), CPO, MBA and local orthotist TBD
This panel discussion on bracing and AFO’s for CMT patients will be led by orthotist, David Misener. David will be joined by a local orthotist who sees patients in the CMT Clinic at IU Health. They will share information on cutting-edge bracing options for drop-foot and balance issues.
Speaker: Jeana Sweeney / CMTA Chief Engagement and Gift Officer
In this session, you will hear from Jeana Sweeney, a CMT community member, parent of a CMT patient, and a passionate and dedicated staff member at CMTA. Hear her story and find yours while learning how we can all make a difference.
During this time, you are invited to join one of three small groups to discuss some of the challenges of living with CMT, such as 1) being newly diagnosed and wanting to learn what’s next in your CMT journey, 2) parents wanting to chat with other parents to learn tips on how best to support your child with CMT, and 3) the mental health side of living with CMT.
1. Newly Diagnosed – Facilitated By: TBD
2. Parents to Parents – Facilitated By: TBD
3. Mental Health Wellness – Facilitated By: Elizabeth Misener, PhD, LMSW
Also on Saturday
9:15 AM – 3:15 PM: CMTA Youth Outing (registration is required to attend)
Led by Jonah Berger
Jonah Berger and chaperones will take CMT youth ages 8-18 out for a day full of fun and connection.
Join us for dinner to unwind, connect, and celebrate community with CMTA Summit attendees, researchers, doctors, and CMTA staff.
Answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
When will registration open for the 2025 CMTA Patient & Research Summit?
When is the 2025 CMTA Patient & Research Summit? Is it virtual or in person?
The 2025 CMTA Patient & Research Summit will take place the weekend of September 5 – September 7 at the Embassy Suites Indianapolis Airport (Plainfield) in Plainfield, Indiana. This year, the Summit will be held in person only; however, Summit session recordings will be available to all after the Summit.
The CMT Summit will offer in-depth presentations on managing CMT and provide CMT research updates from world-class CMT experts, scientists, biotech partners, and CMTA-STAR advisory board members. We hope you will join us for our interactive sessions that are patient-centered and community-driven.
Where is the 2025 CMTA Patient & Research being held?
The Summit will be held at the Embassy Suites Indianapolis Airport (Plainfield) which is conveniently located about 10 minutes from Indianapolis Airport. A link to secure your hotel room at the Embassy Suites Indianapolis Airport (Plainfield) will be provided via email after you register for the Summit. Registration will open in 1st quarter of 2025. Hotel room expenses are the responsibility of the attendee and are not included in the price of Summit registration.
What is the room rate for the host hotel?
CMTA has secured a limited number of rooms at a discounted rate of $189 per night. To receive this rate, a special discount link will be sent once registered for the Summit.
What transportation options are available to take one from the airport to the CMTA Patient & Research Summit hotel?
- The Embassy Suites has an airport shuttle to the hotel.
- Ride Shares – price varies depending on arrival time and availability
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- Uber
- Lyft
- Taxi
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During the 2025 CMTA Patient & Research Summit what are the hours of the conference?
The 2025 CMTA Patient and Research Summit will be a two-day Summit filled with in-depth presentations on managing CMT, research updates and social opportunities. We typically open the Summit on Friday late afternoon with early check-in and then the Summit ends on Sunday midday. All plans are subject to change. Stay tuned for the 2025 Summit agenda.
Will there be an exhibit hall?
We will have an exhibition hall where you can learn about pharmaceutical advancements, assistive technology, and more through one-on-one appointments, product demos, and online resources.
What’s included in the registration fee?
- A full weekend of interactive sessions featuring patient-centered disease management education and CMT-STAR research updates.
- Post-summit recordings of all sessions.
How can I get help if my question isn’t answered on this page?
Please feel free to get in touch! You can email us or call us at 800.606.2682.
What People Have to Say
Some kind words about our Summit
“Enriching!”
“Attending the 2023 CMTA Patient Summit in Boston was a truly enriching experience for me, offering me my first opportunity to meet others affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The Summit not only deepened my understanding of CMT through the informative sessions but also gave me the opportunity to make friends! It was an incredible event that provided both knowledge and community.”
-Joshua Fletcher
“Freeing!”
“There’s no better experience than being in a room filled with others who have CMT! It’s freeing knowing that the person next to you isn’t going to bat an eye if you wobble side to side from lack of balance. If you’re able to make it to the CMTA Summit in person it’s 1000% worth the trip!”
-Julie Stone
“Awesome!”
“What an awesome Summit! I’m glad it was offered virtually so that I could attend. I came away from it filled with hope, information, and practical advice for living with CMT. I’m so glad to be a part of this wonderful community!”
-Doreen Pomykala
“Amazing!”
“I can’t say enough good things about the CMT patient summit. It was incredibly valuable to me for gaining updated knowledge on all things CMT as well as making real connections with experts and others with the disease. I would encourage anyone who has CMT or a loved one with CMT to attend this amazing event!”
-Ann Juenger
Steering Committee Members
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