Overview
Welcome to the Division of Child Neurology...
Child neurologists are specially trained physicians who combine an expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, muscles, nerves) with an understanding of medical disorders in childhood and the special needs of children and their families and environments. Our division’s child neurologists care for children with the following diagnoses:
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The VCU Epilepsy Center provides comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for children, from those who are newly diagnosed to those whose seizures are resistant to routine treatment. We offer a full range of diagnostic methodologies, including the following:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Dense array EEG
- Long-term video monitoring
- 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)
- Single-photon emission computed (SPECT) scan
Our team includes board-certified pediatric epileptologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and advanced practice providers, plus dietitians and social workers.
We offer the following interventions:
- Medications
- Surgical treatments
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Focal resection
- A ketogenic diet program (based on the Brook Road campus)
The pediatric neuromuscular program at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to children and families with a broad spectrum of neuromuscular diseases, including the following:
- Muscular dystrophies
- Congenital and inherited peripheral neuropathies
- Motor neuron disease
Our myriad diagnostic methods, such as electromyography (EMG), in-depth genetic testing, MRI and muscle biopsy allows early and accurate diagnoses of neuromuscular conditions. Families can expect the neuromuscular team to guide their understanding of the disease and care considerations and be a resource for clinical trial participation and advocacy. Our specialists will also help families prepare for the transition into independent adult living.
Four board-certified pediatric neuromuscular specialists work in conjunction with additional specialty pediatric physicians (cardiology, pulmonology, physiatry, orthopedics, and endocrinology) to provide comprehensive clinical care. Ancillary support also comes from the following:
- Speech therapists
- Physical therapists
- Nutritionists
- Genetic counselors
- Educational specialists
The pediatric neuromuscular team offers participation in cutting-edge research activities such as academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
A specialized clinic within the division, the headache program evaluates and treats children of all ages with chronic headaches. Members of our team have been part of the American Headache Society board-certified in headache medicine. At CHoR we use a comprehensive management approach, including lifestyle modification, behavioral strategies and advanced medications to alleviate your child's pain.
We provide all modalities of medical treatment, such as:
- Medications for both acute headaches and chronic management
- Interventions such as nerve blocks and botulinum toxin (BTX)
- Urgent infusion protocols through our infusion center
Information coming soon!
As part of a specialized team that developed rapid response guidelines for children with symptoms of stroke, we pride ourselves on being at the leading edge for stroke care in children. Though rare among young people, stroke is still a top 10 leading cause of mortality in children, and we’ve learned through adult care that rapid evaluation improves outcomes. In addition to our acute assessment and intervention pediatric stroke guidelines, we also offer a follow-up program for children to see the appropriate providers to modify risk factors for future strokes and access appropriate therapies to ensure best developmental outcomes.
A multidisciplinary comprehensive clinic for children with tuberous sclerosis is available at CHoR. The clinic, which treats children, also offers a transitional program as patients age and eventually require adult tuberous sclerosis services. Our program is acknowledged as being in good standing by the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.
Information coming soon!
Information coming soon!
Education
Child Neurology Residency Program
The Division of Child Neurology accepts one resident each year for a categorical residency training program.
Led by Dr. Ewa Way and Dr. Lawrence Morton, the child neurology residency program allows increasing patient-care responsibility across three years of training. During the first year, emphasis is on the foundations of clinical neurology – primarily bedside anatomic localization and clinical diagnosis.
Learn more about the Child Neurology Residency ProgramAdditional Programs
Specialty care is also available for children with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases of the nervous system. We also offer multidisciplinary care for patients with neurofibromatosis at the recently created, multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis clinic.
Locations
The primary outpatient location is at the Children's Pavilion of CHoR in downtown Richmond. We also offer services at CHoR’s satellite clinics at Chesterfield Meadows and Fredericksburg Multispecialty Center.
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
1000 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Chesterfield Meadows
6433 Centralia Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
About the Chair
Faculty & Staff
Faculty and Staff within the Division of Child Neurology...
Amy Harper, M.D.
Associate Professor
Amy Harper, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Neurology
Divisions: Child Neurology, Neuromuscular
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: Amy.Harper@vcuhealth.org
Debra Hearington, PNP
Nurse Practitioner
Debra Hearington, PNP
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Neurology
Division of Child Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
David Jaffe, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Associate Clinical Professor
David Jaffe, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Neurology
Divisions: Child Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: David.Jaffe@vcuhealth.org
Chad P. Johnson, Ph.D. LCP
Assistant Professor
Chad P. Johnson, Ph.D. LCP
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Divisions: Child Neurology
Child Neuropsychologist
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: Chad.Johnson@vcuhealth.org
Arun Kalra, M.D.
Clinical Professor
Arun Kalra, M.D.
Clinical Professor
Department of Neurology
Divisions: Child Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: Arun.Kalra@vcuhealth.org
Rachel Livingston, DNP, CPNP
Child Neurology APP Lead
Rachel Livingston, DNP, CPNP
Child Neurology APP Lead
Department of Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Erica Mitchell, FNP
Nurse Practitioner
Erica Mitchell, FNP
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Neurology
Division of Child Neurology
Phone: 804-828-2467
Fax: 804-828-6690
Email: Erica.Mitchell@vcuhealth.org
Ashley Perry, CPNP-PC
Nurse Practitioner
Ashley Perry, CPNP-PC
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Neurology
Division of Child Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: ashley.perry@vcuhealth.org
Dawn Saborit, MA, MS, RN, CPNP
Nurse Practitioner
Dawn Saborit, MA, MS, RN, CPNP
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Neurology, Child Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: Dawn.Saborit@vcuhealth.org
Mathula Thangarajh, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Mathula Thangarajh, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Division of Child Neurology
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Ewa M. Way, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Program Director
Ewa M. Way, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Program Director
Department of Neurology
Division of Child Neurology
Program Director for Child Neurology Residency Program
Phone: (804) 828-7929
Email: ewa.way@vcuhealth.org
Nassim Zecavati, M.D., MPH, FAAN
Associate Professor
Nassim Zecavati, M.D., MPH, FAAN
Associate Professor
Department of Neurology
Division of Child Neurology
Director of Epilepsy at the Children's Hospital of Richmond
Phone: (804) 828-7929