Dr. Julaine Florence, a prolific researcher dedicated to improving treatments for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has died.

Dr Florence died on 14^th May, 2025 at the age of 71. She was internationally recognised for her expertise in physical therapy protocols for paediatric neuromuscular diseases. She co-authored 78 publications and her work has been cited by at least 352 researchers, expanding the reach and impact of her contributions to the field.

Born in Minot, North Dakota in 1953, Dr Florence received her BS in physical therapy in 1975, her MHS in 1983, and her DPT in 2002, all from Washington University. She served as Professor of Neurology and of Physical Therapy for more than 40 years.

Dr. Florence played a pivotal role in the landmark study demonstrating the clinical benefits of prednisone in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Her pioneering work on outcome measures in DMD laid the foundation for more recent studies of exon-skipping and gene therapy approaches.

Dr Florence’s official obituary describes her as an unstoppable trailblazer: “she was ambitious, visionary, committed, and steadfast in pursuit of her goals. She was stoic and withstood adversity with dignity”.

Away from her work, Dr Florence is being remembered as a talented athlete, a beautiful singer, but above all, as a beloved mother, grandmother and sister

Several members of the WMS have paid tribute to Dr Florence:

Volker Straub: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Julaine Florence, a pioneering physiotherapist in the assessment of people with neuromuscular diseases and a wonderful person. Her groundbreaking work in the field transformed the lives of countless patients and inspired many healthcare professionals.”

Lindsay Alfano: “Dr. Julaine Florence was an inspiration to many of us and her foundational contributions continue to elevate multidisciplinary care and research for patients with neuromuscular disorders. She had a bold, unapologetic spirit and was a joy to learn from over the years. Words like “trailblazer”, “pioneer”, and “force” will persist as we continue to remember and celebrate her legacy.”

Haluk Topalogu: "I have known Julaine for more than three decades. She regularly attended WMS conferences. We all recognised her as a serious scholar as she hardly ever missed sessions to include poster discussions on site. She was a true pioneer in developing the first outcome measures. When somebody called her ‘Juliane’, she would immediately correct and say ‘I am Julaine’, so that is cardinal. A very dear friend she was. A pivotal name in the neuromuscular field. She will be missed."

Chris Weihl: “She will be remembered for her deep commitment to patient care and her unwavering dedication to the neuromuscular community.”

If you would like to add your tributes to Julaine Florence, please email your comments to [email protected].