Dr Fran Kendall - VMP Genetics Clinic

I feel so lucky to have seen Dr Kendall. She and her husband are so incredibly thorough and helpful. Most of the time I leave Drs offices with more questions than answers, but Dr Kendall fully explained my diagnosis, and Michael gave me next steps to manage and recommended follow up doctors. I could have saved a lot of time, stress and money from the awful care I received at Atlanta’s “best” hospitals if I had discovered VMP first.

I have spent the last 5 years visiting countless specialists, dermatologist, rheumatologists, and GP's, only to always be told they have no idea what type of skin condition I have. While talking to Dr Kendall, she said that while she had never seen a case like mine before, she believed that I have Acquired Cutis Laxa (which affects less than 500 people worldwide).
After doing some digging and getting tests, I do in fact believe she was correct. Although my disease has no cure, just knowing what I have means the world to me. At least now I can try to find people in a similar situation to me, and learn from them on how to cope. I can try to get into clinical trials if they exist, and I can at least have a reason for why what is happening to me is happening. I am so so thankful that I met Dr. Kendall. Knowing what I have means the world to me, and now I can finally try to fix it.

Thank you!
Edit: 4/24/2022
Over a year later now or so and thankful to say with all my research I found a cure. Ended up getting a stem cell transplant from Emory and living my best life.

I wish that I could rate Dr.Kendall ten stars! I feel so incredibly blessed that she is the closest Mito doc near me (still a six hour drive). Knowing her now and having experienced her expertise firsthand, if I ever moved to an area with a closer Mito doc, I would stay with Dr. Kendall anyway.

She is thorough. She is brilliant. She is compassionate. She is amazing! I’ve had one office visit with her now and one remote telephone appointment. She has been my doc for two years. She treats the disease and the patient, while all of my local docs treat my symptoms. Her knowledge of this rare disease is unparalleled, I believe, yet she is able to explain things in ways that I understand and am not overwhelmed. Before I met with her, I had done some research about Mito, but I was confused and often stressed out by the way my life had changed and my own expectations of my body, were unfortunately, having to change with it. Dr. Kendall gave me such peace when I met with her. I no longer felt all consumed by this crazy new life. She gives you confidence by exuding it herself and by her obvious intellect and command of the knowledge about Mito that she has achieved. I no longer feel like the disease has me. I feel like it is something that I have and I am not so out of control. She has given me tools to cope with management of Mito on a daily basis and long-term. She has given me hope that there are things I can do to slow down the progression of the disease. Her husband, Mike, is also a huge asset and is kind and empathetic. They both take such care with you and care enough about you that you don’t feel rushed or moved along. Their concern is genuine. Their input about big things and small things you can do to help yourself is priceless.

I sincerely regretted just talking with Dr. Kendall on the phone this year in lieu of making the drive to see her. It is wonderful that you are given this option every other year, but I honestly missed the experience of sitting down with both of them and looking into their compassionate eyes. Most people with Mito understand that the world at large doesn’t understand Mito. A lot of doctors in general don’t understand Mito. So to sit down with someone who “gets it” and who offers so much to you in the way of knowledge, wisdom, compassion, concern, resources, information, hope, positivity, ....I could go on and on, but you “get it” (I hope!)....is exceptional and invaluable and empowering.

By implementing the tools and advice Dr. Kendall (and Mike) has given me, I have a much better quality of life. There is no way to adequately express the deep gratitude I feel towards Dr. Kendall and her husband. Before I met her, I felt as though I might have reached my final chapter and was just waiting to see how quickly or slowly the decline in my health would be. Now I feel joy again and am looking forward to new and exciting chapters on the horizon. There is no cure yet, but knowing people as dedicated as Dr. Kendall gives me great hope for the future of all of us.

Again, in every way, Dr. Kendall is a blessing. What she does for our small community of Mito warriors is nothing short of astounding. She is THE BEST.

Dr Kendall is great. Compared to other Doctors and specialists that we see and have seen, she stands out. On top of being brilliant and very well educated, she is actually timely. Every appt we have had has been on time and we felt very taken care of and listened to while there. The office is very comfortable as well.