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Akron Children's > Departments & Programs

Mitochondrial Center

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A world leader in clinical evaluation, treatment, support, education and research in mitochondrial disease, the Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children's is one of only 18 pediatric hospitals designated a Center of Excellence by the United Mitochondrial Association and one of only 17 mitochondrial centers participating in the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium.

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About Mitochondrial Center

Akron Children's Mitochondrial Center
A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

The 1st to treat a mitochondrial patient with elamipretide by Stealth BioTherapeutics

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#1 enrolling site of the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium (NAMDC) Biobank and the #3 enrolling site in its research database

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Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN

Dr. Cohen is a pediatric neurologist and director of the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center at Akron Children’s. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed a pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a pediatric neurology residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and a pediatric neuro-oncology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Cohen has a special interest in child neurology, mitochondrial disease, brain tumors, neurofibromatosis, clinical trials, neurometabolic diseases and pediatric neuro-oncology and is considered one of the world’s leading experts in mitochondrial diseases thanks to his extensive work to uncover treatments for patients. He is an active member of a number of professional and volunteer organizations, including the Sigma Xi North American Scientific Society, Child Neurology Society, Mitochondrial Medicine Society and the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Cohen is a fellow of the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, boarded in neurology with special competence in child neurology. He has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, published dozens of book chapters, and given more than 600 invited lectures and presentations. Additionally, he is a professor of pediatrics and integrative medical sciences at Northeast Ohio Medical University and is residency director for Neurology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital and Pediatric Neurology at Akron Children’s.

Meet Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN

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John Clark, MD, FAAP

Director, Pediatric Arrhythmia Center; Pediatric Cardiologist

Meet John Clark, MD, FAAP

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Reinaldo Garcia-Naveiro, MD

Dr. Garcia-Naveiro is a gastroenterologist at Akron Children’s. He’s been practicing since 2005. He earned his medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Faculty of Medicine in Bogotá, Colombia and completed a residency in pediatrics at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, La. Dr. Garcia-Naveiro has a special interest in irritable bowel syndrome, short gut, celiac disease, organic and functional gastrointestinal problems and liver disease. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric gastroenterology and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Additionally, he’s a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He is fluent in English and Spanish.  

Meet Reinaldo Garcia-Naveiro, MD

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Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, MD

Dr. Friebert is founder and director of the Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center and the Emily Cooper Welty Expressive Therapy Center at Akron Children’s. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, she completed a residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pa. and a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Under her direction, the Haslinger Center features an accredited palliative care fellowship program and has achieved Advanced Certification in Palliative Care from The Joint Commission. Dr. Friebert is also the founding director of the hospital’s addiction services program, which addresses addiction in collaboration with community resources. She is a professor of pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where she is also a founding member of the university’s Office of Palliative Care. Board-certified in pediatric hematology/oncology and hospice and palliative medicine, Dr. Friebert is past president of Akron Children’s medical staff and the inaugural chair holder of the Sarah Elizabeth Friebert Pediatric Palliative Care Endowed Chair. She’s also the founder, past chair and ongoing member of the Ohio Pediatric Palliative and End-of-Life Care Network (OPPEN). She is the author of multiple articles and book chapters and is an active research scientist, serving as program director for palliative care research at the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute. She was co-principal investigator for a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Health Care Innovation Award, and is principal investigator for multiple palliative care-related research initiatives, Dr. Friebert is also active in multiple local, regional, state and national educational, philanthropic and palliative care organizations.   

Meet Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, MD

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Kimberly Martin, MD

Dr. Martin is a pediatric endocrinologist in the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Akron Children’s. She’s been practicing since 2009 and with Akron Children’s since 2013. She also serves as the director of pediatric endocrinology for Akron Children’s Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program, Pediatric Brain Tumor Program and the Mitochondrial Care Network. She earned a master’s degree in biomedical ethics from Case Western Reserve University and her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed a pediatric residency and a pediatric endocrinology fellowship at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Dr. Martin has a special interest in endocrine complications in cancer survivors and others exposed to cancer therapies during childhood. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics with a sub-specialty certification in pediatric endocrinology. She is a member of the Pediatric Endocrine Society, and is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University.  

Meet Kimberly Martin, MD

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Ian Rossman, MD, PhD

Dr. Rossman is a pediatric neurologist at Akron Children’s and earned his medical degree from Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. He completed a pediatric residency at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a pediatric neurology residency at Cleveland Clinic and a fellowship in neuroimmunology (multiple sclerosis) at Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rossman has clinical interests in pediatric neuroinflammatory diseases, leukodystrophies and neuromuscular disease and research interests in pediatric neuroinflammatory diseases and clinical trials. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with specialization in child neurology.

Meet Ian Rossman, MD, PhD

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Stephen Steiner, MD, PhD

Dr. Steiner is a pediatric neurologist at Akron Children’s, where he’s been practicing since 2018. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Va. and a doctorate in toxicology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, Mich. He completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in child neurology at Case Western Reserve, University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Steiner has a special interest in childhood epilepsy, pediatric headache disorders, genetic and metabolic disorders and movement disorders. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in neurology with a special qualification in child neurology.

Meet Stephen Steiner, MD, PhD

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Kristin Cole, MSN, APRN-CNP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Meet Kristin Cole, MSN, APRN-CNP

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Matthew Ginsberg, MD

Dr. Ginsberg is The James F. and Marguerite A. Pearson Endowed Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Sciences for Rare Diseases and pediatric neurologist at Akron Children’s where he’s been practicing since 2019. A graduate of Cornell University and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, he completed a pediatric neurology residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and a neuromuscular fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Ginsberg specializes in neuromuscular neurology and neurofibromatosis and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with a special qualification in Child Neurology and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He provides services including EMG/NCS (electromyogram and nerve conduction studies) and neuromuscular ultrasound. He is a member of American Academy of Neurology, Child Neurology Society and the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Additionally, he is a published researcher and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Meet Matthew Ginsberg, MD

Parent Mentor Mitochondrial Center

We all have mitochondria. But what is mitochondrial disease?

The Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s Hospital works in collaboration with the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute to staff and coordinate clinical trials and other research studies focused on mitochondrial disease.

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Make a donation to support the Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s.

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Bruce H. Cohen, MD

Led by Bruce H. Cohen, a global expert in the field of mitochondrial medicine, our center houses one of the largest groups of internationally known mitochondrial experts trained to diagnose undefined neurological diseases and provide coordinated care across multiple subspecialties with access to research and clinical trials.

Patient care is determined on a case-by-case basis, including the potential need for services from other subspecialties. Many of our pediatric patients are seen into adulthood on an annual basis. It is also our mission to enhance diagnostics and advance knowledge of mitochondrial disease through research and clinical trials.

Our Mitochondrial Center is an integral part of Akron Children’s NeuroDevelopmental Science Center, which has been designated a Mitochondrial Care Network Center of Excellence by a consortium of patient advocacy groups including the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and MitoAction.

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NeuroDevelopmental Science Center

Akron Children's NeuroDevelopmental Science Center, Akron
Considine Professional Building
215 West Bowery Street
Level 4
Akron, Ohio 44308
Fax: 330-543-8054
Map & directions
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Appointments: 330-543-2778

Department: 330-543-8050

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Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute

Akron Children's Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron
Exchange Street Building
130 West Exchange Street
Akron, Ohio 44302
Fax: 330-543-3166
Map & directions
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Department: 330-543-3193

DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Image of Bruce H. Cohen

Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN

Director, NeuroDevelopmental Science Center; Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Science Fund; Chairman, American Academy of Neurology Advocacy Committee; Pediatric Neurologist

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PHYSICIANS/PROVIDERS:
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Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, MD

Pediatric Palliative Care Physician; Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, M.D. Leadership Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care

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Matthew Ginsberg, MD

The James F. and Marguerite A. Pearson Endowed Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Sciences for Rare Diseases; Co-Director, Neurofibromatosis Clinic; Pediatric Neurologist

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 Accepting new patients

Kimberly Martin, MD

Pediatric Endocrinologist

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Ian Rossman, MD, PhD

Pediatric Neurologist

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Stephen Steiner, MD, PhD

Pediatric Neurologist

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NURSE PRACTITIONERS/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS:
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 Accepting new patients

Morgan Collier, DNP, APRN-CNP

Family Nurse Practitioner

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Factoid: Mitochondrial - Certification

In 2018
Earned certification as a Mitochondrial Care Center

Factoid: Mitochondrial - #1 Enrolling Site

#1 Enrolling Site
North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium Biobank

Factoid: Mitochondrial - Research around world

Mitochondrial Research
Presented around the world

Factoid: Mitochondrial - #1 to treat patient

1st to treat
A mitochondrial patient with elamipretide

Open Clinical Studies

Safety and efficacy of ASP0367 in patients with primary mitochondrial myopathy

See complete study details here.

More about this study


Currently recruiting

Safety and Efficacy of REN001 in patients with Primary Mitochondrial Myopathy

Please view complete study details here.

More about this study


Currently recruiting

Efficacy of KL1333 in adult patients with primary mitochondrial disease

For complete details, please view the study on Clinicaltrials.gov

More about this study


Currently recruiting

The Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s is proud to work with these leading mitochondrial organizations and support groups in the United States.

The Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s is one of 15 mitochondrial care centers in the United States as designated by the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium (NAMDC). NAMDC was established to create a network of clinicians and clinical investigators in North America who follow sizeable numbers of patients with mitochondrial diseases and are involved or interested in mitochondrial research. NAMDC is part of the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network. Dr. Cohen serves on the executive board of NAMDC and has participated in all major projects. The aim of NAMDC have been to foster natural history development, clinical research, a biobank to support translational and laboratory research, disseminate information about mitochondrial disease to the general community and medical community and to serve as a resource to the public, academic and commercial community.

The largest mitochondrial support group in the U.S. is the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), whose mission is to promote research and education for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to provide support to affected individuals and families. Akron Children’s has been involved by supporting their national symposium and sponsoring a local symposium for professionals and families, participation in mitochondrial scientific meetings, presenting grand rounds and the regional level nationally and participating in their annual local fundraiser, the Energy for Life Walkathon.

The mission of MitoAction is to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and families living with mitochondrial disease through support, education, outreach, advocacy, clinical research initiatives and by granting wishes for children affected by mitochondrial disease. MitoAction strive to make a measurable impact in the lives of those who are affected by mitochondrial disease.

Akron Children's mitochondrial center is credentialed by the Mitochondrial Care Network (MCN) for our comprehensive and quality longitudinal care. The MCN was established as a collaborative effort on behalf of leading mitochondrial disease professional and patient advocacy groups and represents a group of physicians at medical centers across the country that have expertise and experience in providing coordinated, multidisciplinary care for patients with genetic mitochondrial disease. The network was created to help improve the quality of mitochondrial patient care and implement best practices and standards of care in mitochondrial medicine to help improve diagnosis, treatment and patient outcomes. 

The Mitochondrial Medicine Society (MMS) represents an international group of physicians, researchers and clinicians working towards advancing education, research and global collaboration in clinical mitochondrial medicine. Akron Children's and the Mitochondrial Medicine Society are key collaborative partners. Dr. Bruce Cohen recently served as president and he is currently an editor of the medical society's Mitochondrial and Metabolic Medicine (M3) journal.

Conditions and Treatments:

Mitochondrial, Autosomal dominant optic atrophy, Alpers Disease, Barth Syndrome, beta-oxidation defects, carnitine-acyl-carnitine deficiency, carnitine deficiency, complex I deficiency, complex II deficiency, complex III deficiency, complex IV deficiency/COX deficiency, complex V deficiency, CPT I deficiency, creatine deficiency syndromes, co-enzyme Q10 deficiency, CPEO, CPTII deficiency, KSS, lactic acidosis, LBSL – leukodystrophy, LCA deficiency, LCHA deficiency, Leigh Disease or Syndrome, Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, Luft Disease, MAD/glutaric aciduria type II, MCAD, MERRF, MELAS, MEPAN, MIRAS, mitochondrial DNA depletion, mitochondrial encephalopathy, MNGIE, NARP, Pearson Syndrome, POLG mutations, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, PDC deficiency, SANDO, SCAD, SCHAD, TK2/myopathic form, VLCAD

Make a donation to support the Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s.

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