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.

Related: Division of Neurosurgery

Nationally-Ranked Care

Lurie Children's is ranked 7th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S.News World Report

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

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

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

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

Joshua L. Goldstein, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology

Yolanda F. Holler-Managan, MD

Yolanda F. Holler-Managan, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology

Jelena Ivanisevic, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor I, Neurology

S. Anne Joseph, MD

S. Anne Joseph, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology

Anisa F. Kelley, MD

Associate Director, Headache Program; Attending Physician, Neurology

Nancy L. Kuntz, MD

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

Sunila O'Connor, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center

Meghan E. O'Neill, MD

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

Andrea C. Pardo, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology; Medical Director, Ruth D. & Ken M. Davee Pediatric Neurocritical Care Program

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

Diana Sieciechowicz, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center

Dina Soloveychik, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center

Priyamvada Tatachar, MD

Priyamvada Tatachar, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology and Epilepsy Center

Kavita Thakkar, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology (Clinical Neuroimmunology)

Laura E. Vernon, MD

Attending Physician, Neurology

Madeline T. Collins, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology

Danielle Trokey, APRN

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, APRN-NP

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 Yee, APRN

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

Haidar Kabbani, 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

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

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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

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook

1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600

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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

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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

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Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center

302 Randall Road
Suite 102
Geneva, Illinois 60134
630.933.6631

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Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center

25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631

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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

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Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie

3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600

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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

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.  

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

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Genetic Testing for Neonatal Epilepsy Allows Babies to Go Home Sooner

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Excellent Outcomes of Epilepsy Surgery in Babies Younger Than 3 Months

Read more

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