Pediatric Neurology
The Division of Pediatric Neurology represents an academic practice with commitment to patient care, teaching, and research. Formed in the 1980s as part of the Department of Neurology, the Division maintained a successful academic and training program through the 1990s. Susan T. Iannaccone, M.D., became Division Chief in 2004, and the Division joined the Department of Pediatrics in 2006.
Under the direction of Dr. Iannaccone, the Division has 13 pediatric neurology faculty, two with a major commitment to research and 11 who are focused on clinical and teaching responsibilities. They represent a mix of young and mature individuals, each of whom brings special talents and experience that promise to contribute to further growth and development of the Division.
Excellence in Patient Care
The Division provides comprehensive diagnosis and management for children at Children’s Medical Center Dallas from newborn to late adolescence who have disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerve, or muscle. Faculty members specialize in providing neurological care, consultations, and second opinions for children afflicted by virtually any neurological disorder.
Leadership in Research
Division faculty conduct a variety of neurologic bench/basic research and clinical studies, including clinical trials. Current studies are focused in five areas:
- Metabolic disorders of the nervous system
- Neuromuscular disease clinical trials
- Anti-epileptic drug trials
- Clinical trials in pediatric stroke
- Clinical studies in the autism spectrum
Education of Future Leaders
Due to a national shortage of pediatric neurologists that has been deemed a crisis by both the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society, it is a priority in the division to maintain a competitive pediatric neurology (PN) training program that will supply high-quality faculty for many years to come. Together with the Department of Neurology, we offer a three-year PN residency program, as well as fellowship training in PN subspecialties. We also offer an integrated six-year program for training in pediatric neurodevelopment, and a five-year program is available for medical students who wish to complete both their pediatric and PN training at UT Southwestern.
Each year the Division, in collaboration with the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology at UT Southwestern, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, presents the Carrell-Krusen Neuromuscular Symposium for muscular dystrophy clinic directors, case managers, nurses, and members of interdisciplinary care teams. The program is directed by Dr. Iannaccone, and most residents and fellows from the division and from the Department of Neurology participate by presenting at the Symposium.