Pediatric Neurology
Overview
The Division of Pediatric Neurology sees one in three children hospitalized at Lurie Children's. In fact, more families bring children with neurologic conditions to us for care or for second opinions than to any other single hospital in the state.
A multidisciplinary team of experienced pediatric neurologists, advanced practice providers and nurses will ensure your child gets the best care available. This team approach makes it easier for you to see every specialist your child needs under one roof and often in the same visit. We have the knowledgeable care providers, kid-friendly facility and state-of-the-art technology needed to achieve the best possible treatment results (outcomes) for sick children. We believe in family-centered care, which means we involve the whole family in a patient’s treatment plan. From bring family members into care plan meetings, to providing support and distraction to a patient’s siblings, we do our best to help fit our care within your lifestyle.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is ranked 7th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S.News & World Report.
Child Neurology Programs
The Division of Neurology has developed specialized programs to treat certain conditions in the most comprehensive way possible.
- Bone Health Program
- Brachial Plexus Program
- Brain Tumor Program
- Children’s OCD/Anxiety Spectrum & Tic Disorders (COAST) Program
- Complex Movement Disorders Program
- Dravet Clinic
- Epilepsy Genetics Testing & Consultation Clinic
- Epilepsy Neuro-Oncology Clinic
- Epilepsy Program
- Epilepsy Surgery
- Epilepsy Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic
- Fetal & Neonatal Neurology Program
- Headache Program
- Infantile Spasms Clinic
- Ketogenic Diet Program
- Leukodystrophy Care Program
- Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinic
- Neurocritical Care Program
- Neuroimmunology Clinic
- Neuromodulation Clinic (VNS & RNS)
- Neuromuscular Program
- Neurovascular Disease and Stroke Program
- New Onset Seizure Clinic
- Pigmented Lesion Center
- POTS Program
- Spanish Clinic for Epilepsy Patients
Pediatric Neurological Disorders We Treat
Our pediatric specialists treat children for a wide array of neurological conditions, including:
- Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
- Ataxia
- Autonomic Disorders
- Batten Disease
- Brachial Plexus Palsy
- Brain Tumors
- Cerebral Aneurysm
- Cerebral Palsy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
- Chorea
- Concussion
- Encephalitis
- Epilepsy
- Febrile Seizure
- Functional Neurological Disorder
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Headaches
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
- Juvenile Huntington Disease
- Meningitis
- Migraines
- Movement Dysfunction
- Moyamoya Disease
- Muscular Dystrophies
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myoclonus
- Neurofibromatosis
- Neuropathy
- Parkinsonism
- Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
- Pompe Disease
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Pseudotumor Cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension)
- Spasticity
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
- Stroke
- Tics and Tourette Syndrome
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Children
- Tremor
- Vein of Galen Malformations
Neurologists & Pediatric Specialists
Our entire staff is dedicated to evaluating and treating infants, children and teens. The team includes:
- Pediatric neurologists
- Pediatric advanced practice nurses
- Pediatric nurses
Our neurologists also frequently collaborate with neurosurgeons, neurointensivists, neuro-oncologists and other specialists at Lurie Children’s. We are part of several multidisciplinary teams, including those that treat:
The head of the division, Leon G. Epstein, MD, is a board-certified neurologist with special qualifications in child neurology, who has more than 35 years of experience. Dr. Epstein is the Derry A. and Donald L. Shoemaker Professor of Pediatric Neurology at Lurie Children’s and a Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He also is Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics at the Feinberg School.
Leon G. Epstein, MD
Division Head, Neurology; Derry A. and Donald L. Shoemaker Professor of Pediatric Neurology
Linda C. Laux, MD
Associate Division Head, Neurology; Section Head, Epilepsy Center; Lorna S. and James P. Langdon Chair in Pediatric Neurology
Joyce Wu, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Heba H. Akbari, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Denis I. Altman, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Megan Barry, DO
Attending Physician, Neurology
Alma Bicknese, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
David Bieber, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Joanna S. Blackburn, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Steven B. Coker, MD
Neurologist, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
Joseph H. Collins, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Lenika De Simone, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor II, Neurology
Divya N. Desai, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Joanna I. Garcia Pierce, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Rebecca M. Garcia-Sosa, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Tracy S. Gertler, MD, PhD
Attending Physician, Neurology; Founders' Board Chair in Neurocritical Care
Laura Gilbert, DO, MBA
Attending Physician, Neurology
Joshua L. Goldstein, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Yolanda F. Holler-Managan, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Jelena Ivanisevic, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor I, Neurology
S. Anne Joseph, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Anisa F. Kelley, MD
Director, Outpatient Headache Program; Attending Physician, Neurology
Nancy L. Kuntz, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Neurology; Medical Director, Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Program; Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center
Erin McGinnis, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor II, Neurology
Bridget McGowan, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Divakar S. Mithal, MD, PhD
Attending Physician, Neurology; Founders' Board Chair in Neurocritical Care
Sunila O'Connor, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Meghan E. O'Neill, MD
Attending Physician, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; Attending Physician, Neurology
Murad M. Omery, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Andrea C. Pardo, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology; Medical Director, Ruth D. & Ken M. Davee Pediatric Neurocritical Care Program
Amisha B. Patel, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Rachel Pauley, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Reega D. Purohit, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Jennifer P. Rubin, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Abigail N. Schwaede, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Syeda H. Shahid, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Talia Shear, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Palliative Care
Diana Sieciechowicz, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Dina Soloveychik, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Priyamvada Tatachar, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Kavita Thakkar, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology (Clinical Neuroimmunology)
Laura E. Vernon, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Danielle Dorgan, APRN-NP, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Allison D. Dye, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Breanne Fisher, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Epilepsy Center
Ashley Funk McPartlin, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Grace E. Grady, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Catherine B. Hanneken, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Darlene Leung, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Megan E. Masters, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology and Epilepsy Center
Michele G. Mills, MS, APRN, CPNP
Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Neurocritical Care
Savannah A. Morris, MS, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Epilepsy Center
Kelly Neven, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Carolina Salazar, DNP, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Kathleen L. Sirandas, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Amy Tennant, MS, APRN-NP, CPNP
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Epilepsy Center
Michelle M. Yee, APRN, NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Colleen M. Buhrfiend, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Tamar Caceres, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Peter T. Heydemann, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Charles J. Marcuccilli, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Lubov F. Romantseva, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Stephanie D. Snyder, NP
Family Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Leslie Sondeen-Opila, APRN, NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Make an Appointment
We offer easy online scheduling for your child's neurologic needs.
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Arlington Heights
Busse Center for Specialty Medicine
880 W. Central Rd, Ste 6400
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
312.227.5410
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox
1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
302 Randall Road
Suite 102
Geneva, Illinois 60134
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Grayslake
1475 E. Belvidere Rd. (Rte. 120)
Suite 285, Pavilion C
Grayslake, Illinois 60030-2012
312.227.2220
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie
3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Schaumburg (Opening Fall 2025)
1895 Arbor Glen Boulevard
Schaumburg, Illinois 60195
1.800.543.7362
Research
Our multidisciplinary team of physician-scientists conducts various research projects to help promote patient care and better educate families. We hope our research efforts will improve treatment for children with hard-to-treat neurological disorders.
Fellowships
Keeping with our belief that quality education is inseparable from our quality patient care, we partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to train tomorrow’s leading pediatric physicians. As the pediatric teaching hospital for the Feinberg School, we offer several opportunities for residents to further their education in pediatric neurology.
Neurology News & Stories
Chicago's Top Doctors for Kids 2025
Several of Lurie Children's providers were recognized in Chicago Magazine Castle-Connolly Top Doctors 2025 list.
Drug May Prevent Some Migraine Attacks in Children and Teens
Researchers from Lurie Children's found the drug zonisamide, which has been used to treat seizures, may reduce migraine attacks in children and teens.
Lurie Children’s Is Again Ranked #1 Pediatric Hospital in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago continues to be recognized as #1 in Illinois in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings.
Newsweek Ranks Lurie Children’s Hospital #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Nationally
Lurie Children’s ranked #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s list of 'America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2024,' and was listed in the top 10 in three other specialties.
Novel Biological Mechanism Discovered That Could Lead to New Treatments for Neurological Disorders, Cancers
The lab of Yongchao C. Ma, PhD, at Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Lurie Children’s discovered a fundamental biological mechanism that could lead to new treatments for neurological diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and autism, as well as different cancers.
Lurie Children’s First in Illinois to Treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with FDA-Approved Gene Therapy
In March, Lurie Children’s treated its first patient with ELEVIDYS, the first gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a rare, genetic disease characterized by progressive muscle damage and weakness. Lurie Children’s is the first in Illinois to administer this treatment after ELEVIDYS received FDA approval in 2023.
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.