Jessica Prokup, MD

About Me

As a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, I specialize in caring for adult and adolescent patients with neurodevelopmental and pediatric-onset disabilities. In my role at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, I often treat patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood spinal cord injury, childhood brain injury and others. My clinics also focus on pediatric-to-adult health care transition, aging with pediatric-onset and developmental disabilities, spasticity management, management of braces and orthotics, and evaluation and management of durable medical equipment and assistive devices/wheelchairs.

My interest in this specialty is both personal and professional because I have an older brother with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have seen how challenging it can be for these patients to access quality medical care and find physicians who are a good fit for them, and I’m passionate about providing the same optimal care that I would want my brother to receive. I recognize the importance of collaborating with both patients and their families, and I’m committed to a person-centered approach that customizes treatments to each person’s unique needs.

The best outcomes occur when an interdisciplinary team works together. I collaborate with my patients’ other specialists and primary care providers to improve their care. Additionally, if a patient is transitioning to my care from pediatric physicians, I communicate with their pediatric provider to make this change as smooth as possible.

To help patients feel comfortable, I can make accommodations for:
Distractions: Patients can bring something or someone to help distract them or relieve anxiety like a fidget toy, music, or videos.
Social stories: My staff and I are happy to be included in a patient’s social story, a series of pictures or a video to walk them through the events they will experience in the office or for a procedure.
Social visits: Prior to their first visit, patients are welcome to come to Martha Morehouse on a Thursday afternoon or Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., to do a walk-through of the office and meet staff. Please call in advance to notify the office.
Mock procedures: I am happy to walk a patient through the steps involved in a procedure, so they know what to expect.

I am thrilled to continue my career at Ohio State, where I attended medical school and completed the Nisonger Center’s LEND program, and I’m excited to pay it forward by helping train future physicians. In addition to my clinical work, I am a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

My research focuses on health care disparities of Ohioans with developmental disabilities throughout their lifespan and strategies for increasing disability education in medical training. I have worked with teams at my prior training institutions to improve the disability education that physicians-in-training receive, and I have presented my research at several national and international conferences. I also have pending research manuscripts on the interdisciplinary care of adults with cerebral palsy, the inclusion of trainees in the development of disability curricula, the creation of a successful disability elective and qualitative interviews with community members with disabilities.

I was honored to receive the Excellence in Public Health Award by the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services for my work to improve care for people with disabilities. I have also received the Emerging Leader Award from the Association for University Centers on Disabilities. I am also an active member of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, serving a term on their Lifespan Committee, and I’m involved with the Spina Bifida Association and the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with family and playing with my dog, Volta. I enjoy playing board games, especially detective games, running and cooking.

Procedures and Conditions I Treat

• Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine