Medical and Scientific Advisory Board
Medical and Scientific Advisory Board
The Medical and Scientific Advisory Board serves as the clinical and scientific advisory body of the GRACE Network for Rare Disease. Its members are physicians and healthcare professionals who provide independent guidance on medical education, standards of care, research priorities, and emerging scientific developments. Their expertise helps ensure that the Foundation’s programs and educational resources are accurate, evidence based, and centered on the needs of individuals and families living with rare disease.
While the Board of Directors is responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Foundation, the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board provides specialized clinical insight that informs our work. Through their collective experience, these advisors help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and compassionate patient care, ensuring that families have access to reliable information and thoughtful guidance as new therapies and research continue to evolve.
Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Lisa Cao is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. Her clinical practice focuses on caring for children with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that affect mobility, gait, growth, and function.
Working as part of multidisciplinary care teams, Dr. Cao brings expertise in orthopedic management, mobility preservation, surgical decision making, and the long-term care of children with complex neurological disorders. Her guidance helps inform the Foundation’s educational initiatives related to mobility, orthopedic care, and maximizing functional independence.
Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Melanie Irwin is a pediatric physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. She works with children living with neurological, developmental, and musculoskeletal conditions to maximize function, mobility, independence, and quality of life through comprehensive rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care.
Her expertise in pediatric rehabilitation provides valuable guidance to the Foundation on rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy, adaptive equipment, orthotics, mobility, and long-term functional outcomes for children living with rare neurological diseases.
The Medical and Scientific Advisory Board will continue to grow as the Foundation expands its programs and research initiatives. We anticipate welcoming additional experts in pediatric neurology, medical genetics, neuroscience, gene therapy, molecular biology, rehabilitation medicine, psychology, and related disciplines as we work to build a collaborative network dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by rare disease.