SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Nov. 13, 2024 – Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, one of the nation’s top 10 pediatric health care systems, and the University of California San Diego proudly announce the appointment of Rachel Thompson, MD, as a co-director of the Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy, one of the nation’s leading programs for comprehensive cerebral palsy care. She will also serve as associate clinical professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
With extensive expertise in orthopedic surgery and neuromuscular care, Dr. Thompson joins Hank Chambers, MD, in this joint leadership role to continue Rady Children’s commitment to providing world-class, compassionate, lifetime care for children and adults with cerebral palsy.
Rachel Thompson, MD
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Thompson to Rady Children’s,” said Dr. Chambers, co-director of the Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy and clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Her extensive experience and dedication to improving outcomes for patients with cerebral palsy, particularly through her research on muscular pathology positions her as a true innovator in the field. Her leadership in neuromuscular care will undoubtedly elevate the level of care we provide. I look forward to collaborating with her to push the boundaries of what’s possible in treatment and support for our patients and their families.”
Dr. Thompson specializes in pediatric neuromuscular orthopedics, focusing on cerebral palsy, adolescent hip diseases, and using gait analysis to improve surgical decision-making and patient outcomes. She joins Rady Children’s from UCLA, where she served as Director of the Center for Cerebral Palsy and Residency Program Director in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine. While at UCLA, she held the William and Patricia Oppenheim Presidential Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics.
“Rady Children’s is committed to advancing the care of children with cerebral palsy, and I am honored to join the team,” Dr. Thompson says. “I look forward to working alongside an incredible group of specialists, advancing research, and helping improve the lives of children and their families through cutting-edge care and treatment.”
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Thompson is establishing a basic science lab focused on identifying key drivers of muscular pathology in cerebral palsy. Her clinical and research efforts aim to improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy by addressing spasticity-related muscular changes, developing models to prevent joint contractures, and advancing narcotic stewardship and surgical preparedness for pediatric patients and their families. The lab analyzes tissue from surgeries and uses a validated model to classify cerebral palsy-related pathologies, with the goal of developing patient-specific treatments.
Dr. Thompson has published extensively in leading medical journals, with her research on cerebral palsy, particularly in muscular pathology and innovative treatment models, featured in high-impact publications such as the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. She has also received several prestigious awards for her contributions to pediatric orthopedics, including the William and Patricia Oppenheim Presidential Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics and the Western Orthopaedic Association Paul Collins Travel Grant.
“Dr. Thompson is a transformative leader who shares our bold vision for the future of pediatric orthopedic care,” said Peter Newton, MD, chief of the Division of Orthopedics & Scoliosis and surgeon-in-chief at Rady Children’s. “Her expertise and passion will not only elevate the level of care we provide to children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular conditions but will also inspire and shape the next generation of orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Thompson is paving the way for groundbreaking advancements that will make a lasting difference in the lives of our patients and their families.”
In her new role, Dr. Thompson will focus on advancing treatment options, improving surgical outcomes, and fostering a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Equally important will be her contributions to advancing research and training the next generation of orthopedic specialists.
Dr. Thompson officially began her role on September 1, 2024.
About the Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy at Rady Children’s
The Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular conditions. Led by experts in pediatric orthopedics, the center offers state-of-the-art treatments, including surgical interventions and gait analysis, to enhance mobility and improve quality of life. With a strong focus on long-term management, patient support, and cutting-edge research, the center is dedicated to advancing care and empowering children with cerebral palsy to achieve their fullest potential. The center also plays a vital role in educating the next generation of orthopedic specialists.
About Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego
Ranked as one of the 10 best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for 2024-2025, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego includes a 511-bed pediatric hospital that serves as the largest provider of comprehensive pediatric medical services in San Diego, southern Riverside, and Imperial counties. With more than 40 locations, Rady Children’s is the only health system in the San Diego area dedicated exclusively to pediatric health care and is the region’s only designated pediatric trauma center. Rady Children’s is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to support its mission. For more information, visit rchsd.org and find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.