Kelsey Davidson, M.D., Research Recognized by International Association

Kelsey Elaine Davidson, M.D., is the winner of the MacKeith Press Promising Career Award for her virtual presentation to The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 2020 annual conference. The group, known as AACPDM, is an internationally recognized organization that provides education for professionals involved in the treatment of cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities in children. Dr. Davidson, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago, was selected based on the Awards Committee ratings of presented work at the virtual conference in September. AACPDM awards the Promising Career Award annually to an Academy member within four years of completion of medical training. 

Dr. Davidson presented a research paper she co-authored which evaluated the effects of Botulinum Toxin A, or Botox, on bone strength. “The project started in Australia during my fellowship program,” Dr. Davidson said. “We conducted a literature review of animal studies to evaluate the effect of Botox on bones.”

The research is an important first step toward providing additional guidance for physicians treating children with cerebral palsy, the most common physical disability in childhood. Botox is sometimes used in small doses as a treatment to reduce muscle spasticity. “We’re always looking to improve the standard of care and making sure we’re offering the safest and best care for our patients with cerebral palsy and other orthopaedic related conditions,” Dr. Davidson said.

MacKeith Press, publisher of the Academy's journal, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, supports the award.

Also at this year’s AACPDM annual meeting, Susan Sienko, Ph.D., a member of the clinical research team at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland, was named president of the association. Read more in our health care system magazine, Leaders in Care.