Pioneering Neurological Care for Children
Epilepsy. Cerebral palsy. Spina bifida. These are just a few of the complex neurological conditions that can affect children. At Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s, we’re dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of children with neurological diseases and disorders.
Barrow at Phoenix Children’s is one of the largest pediatric neuroscience centers in the country. Each year, thousands of young patients from Arizona and beyond receive care here. No matter their diagnosis, their families can be assured they’re getting state-of-the-art care from specialists who have the expertise to treat their complex conditions.
Driving Research and Innovation
Barrow at Phoenix Children's is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery. Phoenix Children's is one of a handful of pediatric hospitals that can provide round-the-clock neurocritical care to patients with acute brain injury or nervous system disease. But what really makes us stand out is our commitment to research and innovation.
Our neuroscientists are uncovering the genetic underpinnings of cerebral palsy, paving the way for the development of new treatments. They’re using gene therapy to treat spinal muscular atrophy—a disease that until recently was universally fatal by age 2—providing new hope for survival. And they’re pioneering minimally invasive treatment options for epilepsy, such as laser therapy and regional nerve stimulation, that allow children to live normal lives unburdened by seizures.
Incredible breakthroughs in pediatric neuroscience are on the horizon, and Barrow at Phoenix Children’s is poised to lead the charge.
- “Advances in the neurosciences have led to a dramatic improvement in our understanding of brain and nervous system disease and dysfunction. These advances provide not only real hope, but also new and improved options for therapies that can dramatically affect the lives of our patients.”Neil Friedman, MBChBDirector, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s; Director of Clinical Transformation; Diane and Bruce Halle Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurosciences; Interim Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Priority Funding Needs
The ROSA robot will assist in neurological surgery which will decrease surgery times, increase accuracy, and provide as minimally invasive surgery as possible, often without the need to shave the child’s entire head. The robot is designed specifically for neurosurgery and is the latest technology available. The equipment is used in a variety of surgical cases including deep brain stimulation, epilepsy, and functional neurosurgery.
TMS is a noninvasive treatment that sends quick magnetic pulses into an area of the brain to stimulate nerve cells to treat certain health conditions, including mood disorders, epilepsy, headaches, central nervous system disorders. State of the art equipment is used for TMS that is currently not available at Phoenix Children’s.
Transformative research takes expert physician-scientists, equipment, laboratory space, and the burning desire to do better for the children in our community. The Neurosciences research funds will support innovation, research, and discovery to ensure children experience the best health possible and live to the fullest.
As the only level 4 designated epilepsy center in the state of Arizona, our program offers
comprehensive, coordinated care for children with epilepsy, a sustainable program endowment is key to ensuring we continue to be a resource for families from Arizona and across the United States.
A program endowment will provide sustainable funds for patient care, research, and continued growth as the program cares for children of Arizona and the Southwest.
The Movement Disorders program utilizes innovative clinical technology and has a strong research foundation to ensure world-class care and treatments for children with various movement disorders.
Caring for patients includes focusing on their psycho-social needs, the including mental,
emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. The fund will provide education, coping skills, support groups, and a supportive community for patients while they are in our care.
The award explicitly addresses a gap in supporting the next generation of clinical trainees in
pediatric neurology and neurosurgery. The award will be bestowed to a highly talented and
qualified trainee, to further foster subspecialty education and research experience. Additionally, it will help attract promising young individuals to the department and support the development of novel pediatric neurologic treatments.
Having a child who is critically or chronically ill is difficult. Added financial stress – on top of caring for a child who is ill – can push a family to the breaking point. The fund assists with food, lodging and transportation so families can focus on the health of their child
Fueling Progress
World-class patient care
Paul Travis has epilepsy, cerebral palsy and cognitive vision impairment. In the beginning, his parents struggled to get an accurate diagnosis for their son. Then they came to Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's.
Life-changing breakthroughs
Cerebral palsy is a disabling, incurable movement disorder. Now, thanks to the research of Michael Kruer, MD, director of the Movement Disorders Program at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s, there is new hope for improved diagnosis and treatment.
State-of-the-art therapies
Novel gene therapy treatments have changed the course of life for children with spinal muscular atrophy, who would otherwise face an incurable, lifelong disability. Siblings Christopher and Emily are among those who experienced life-altering results.
Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Advisory Board
Neil Friedman, MBChB
Brian Cates
Nicole Cates
Vince Fasso
Shauna Gliss
Aviva Gorny
Ciara Hickey
Erika Miller
Shelby Miller
Rory Murphy, MD
Kathleen Norton
Anica Parker
Blair Polachek
Katherine Polachek
Michael Polachek
Your gift helps the Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's develop game-changing new treatments that will improve the health and quality of life of Arizona children living with complex neurological illnesses.
