October 11, 2020, Filed Under: Lead StoryDell Medical School Pediatric Neurosciences Founded in 2019, UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s represents a unique partnership between Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. The pediatric neuroscience program combines pediatric neurology, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric rehabilitation, and pediatric neuropsychology. The program’s physicians and nurses provide care for children and adolescents with neurological disorders. We support research and provide training for medical students as well as residents in child and adult neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and other disciplines. The program currently has 19 faculty child neurologists, two pediatric neurosurgeons, two pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist, eight pediatric neuropsychologists, and 17 advanced practice providers. We are recruiting pediatric neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and more. We offer residency training in child neurology and fellowship opportunities in pediatric epilepsy, pediatric headache, and pediatric neuropsychology. Additional planned fellowship programs include pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatric neuroimmunology, and pediatric neuromuscular disease. To foster community and wellness within our team, our Pediatric Neurosciences Wellness Committee hosts events throughout the year, including our annual retreat. Dell Medical School Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, the first new medical school to be built at a tier one US research university in nearly 50 years, graduated its first class in 2020. We are committed to redesigning academic medicine and revolutionizing how people get and stay healthy by educating leaders, developing new models of care, and advancing innovation from health products to health care delivery. The school is also home to the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences, established by a $50 million gift from the Mulva Family Foundation; it is part of the collaborative scientific community of departments, centers, and institutes on the adjacent University of Texas campus. Dell Children’s Hospital With 299 beds, Dell Children’s Medical Center is the only freestanding pediatric hospital in Central Texas. The main hospital features a level 1 pediatric trauma center, a level 4 neonatal intensive care unit, and a level 4 epilepsy center. Pediatric neuroscience is one of the hospital’s focus areas. A 160,000-square-foot building connected to the children’s hospital houses the pediatric neuroscience program as well as the cardiac care and cancer programs. In 2023, Dell Children’s Medical Center North hospital opened in North Austin, with a new epilepsy clinic located in the hospital’s medical office building. The north campus’s epilepsy clinic will continue to expand services, along with other pediatric neuroscience clinics, as demand in North Austin continues to grow.
June 5, 2026, Filed Under: NewsKumar & Rizk Featured in People Magazine Story on Restoring Mobility to Paralyzed Girl In May of 2025, 2-year-old Milah Faciane suddenly became paralyzed due to a spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a complex and rare condition with an incidence rate of just 0.22 per 100,000 children per year. Dell Medical School’s Kevin Kumar, MD, PhD, and Elias Rizk, MD, MSc, MBA, of the pediatric neurosciences program identified the cause and led an urgent, eight-hour thoracolumbar laminoplasty to carefully isolate the abnormal vessels and relieve pressure on her spinal cord. “It was a serpentine tangle all around the spinal cord,” Kumar said of the AVM. “Time was of the essence because the longer she had a deficit, the less likely it would be to recover and be permanent. We wanted to move quickly.” Milah’s incredible progress after surgery and rehabilitation is a reminder of what timely diagnosis, specialized expertise, and coordinated follow-up care can make possible for children and their families across Central Texas. Read Milah’s full story, featured exclusively on People.com.
June 4, 2026, Filed Under: NewsIt’s Not Too Late to Register for the IMPRES Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Conference There’s still time to register for the third annual Innovative Minds: Pediatric Research in Epilepsy Surgery (IMPRES) Conference, hosted by the Dell Children’s Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center in collaboration with the Lurie Children’s Epilepsy Center. The conference will be held from Friday, June 26, to Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Hotel Van Zandt in downtown Austin. The keynote address will be given by Carter Snead III, MD. Featured speakers are listed below. Register now by scanning or clicking on the QR code. For additional information, visit the event website or email dcmcepilepsy@ascension.org. This conference gave me a lot to think about and remember. In addition to the medical knowledge that was presented, the physicians I spoke with told stories that inspired the way I think about advocating for patients who are disadvantaged, which I hope to sustain when it comes to making clinical decisions with my team. AMAZING conference. Inspiring, educational, and enriching in so many different ways. Great speakers. Great program. Dr. Clarke was an excellent host and organizer. Topics were very well selected. Many speakers had international experience and provided a global flair offering different points of view or vision. Featured Speakers Keynote Speaker: Carter Snead III, MD, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto; Scientist Emeritus, SickKidsDave Clarke, MD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterJim Riviello, MD, Texas Children’s HospitalZachary Grinspan, MD, MS, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical CenterAhmed Abdelmoity, MD, Children’s MercyBernice Martin Lee, CEO, Epilepsy Foundation of AmericaIlene Miller, JD, LLM, Director, Rare Epilepsy NetworkM. Omar Iqbal, MD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterRosalia Costello, PsyD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterHoward Weiner, MD, Texas Children’s HospitalMonika Jones, JD, CNP, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery AllianceRana Said, MD, Children’s Health/UT SouthwesternSteven Wolf, MD, Boston Children’s Health PhysiciansDaniel Freedman, DO, Dell Children’s Medical CenterJorge A. Vidaurre, MD, Nationwide Children’sRosario DeLeon, PhD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterElysa Widjaja, MD, Lurie Children’sLiberty Hamilton, PhD, University of California, BerkeleyGabrielle Conecker, MPH, SCN8A Alliance, DEE-P Connections, and The Inchstone ProjectAlison Kukla, MPH, Partners Against Mortality in EpilepsySandi K. Lam, MD, MBA, Lurie Children’sSookyong Koh, MD, Children’s NebraskaRaheel Ahmed, MD, PhD, University of Wisconsin–MadisonJorge Gonzalez-Martinez, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical CenterDhruve Jeevan, MD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterChelsey B. Ortman, MD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterKaren Evankovich, PhD, Dell Children’s Medical CenterJanet Wilson, APRN, CPNP-PC, Dell Children’s Medical CenterAllie Melendez-Zaidi, MD, PhD, El Paso Children’s HospitalEmily Ramirez, DO, Dell Children’s Medical CenterAmmar Kheder, MD, Corewell Health
June 3, 2026, Filed Under: NewsBridges Receives 2026 SIOP Young Investigator Award Please join us in congratulating Rachel Bridges, PhD, on being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Young Investigator Award from the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP). Dr. Bridges was one of just 15 international awardees selected from more than 2,000 abstracts submitted for presentation at the 2026 SIOP annual congress, reflecting the significance and impact of her work. Through her leadership and scholarship, Dr. Bridges has played a pivotal role in expanding neuropsychology-focused research within pediatric neuro-oncology and hematology/oncology. Her efforts have strengthened our understanding of the cognitive, behavioral, and quality-of-life outcomes that matter most to children and families navigating cancer and neurological disease. This recognition highlights both her individual achievements and the growing contributions of our multidisciplinary pediatric neurosciences team. Congratulations, Dr. Bridges, on this well-deserved international honor. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of your work.
May 29, 2026, Filed Under: NewsBosques and Jülich Promoted Congratulations to our faculty members on their new positions! Effective August 15, the promotions recognize their continuing contributions to Dell Medical School’s broad commitment to exceptional patient care, education, discovery, and service. Glendaliz Bosques, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology Kristina Jülich, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
April 15, 2026, Filed Under: NewsTuberous Sclerosis Clinic Designated Center of Excellence The Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic at UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s has officially been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the TSC Alliance. The clinic is one of only three pediatric centers in Texas and the only pediatric center in Central Texas to hold this designation.Earning this distinction highlights the strength of our multidisciplinary approach and our commitment to advancing care for patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. This is an incredible milestone. Congratulations to the entire TSC team on this outstanding achievement!
April 2, 2026, Filed Under: NewsRegister for the 7th Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s invites you to the 7th Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium. Designed for pediatricians and other practitioners involved in the care of children, this event will feature interactive presentations by several of our faculty members. Each presentation will provide specific techniques and evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management of neurological conditions commonly encountered by the general pediatrician. Registration for this hybrid CME event (in-person or virtual attendance) is free. Register here or scan the code below.
March 24, 2026, Filed Under: NewsPavitt Appointed Chief of Pediatric Neurology Sara Pavitt, MD Join us in congratulating Sara Pavitt, MD, who has been appointed Chief of Pediatric Neurology. Dr. Pavitt will provide strategic and operational leadership for the pediatric neurology service, working closely with pediatric neuroscience co-chiefs Drs. Steve Roach and Elias Rizk to advance clinical excellence, research growth, faculty development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Pavitt joined the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology faculty in 2021 after graduating from Chicago Medical School and completing a residency in child neurology at Stanford University and a fellowship in pediatric headache at The University of California, San Francisco. Over the past five years, she has served as Associate Chief of Pediatric Neurology, built a nationally recognized pediatric headache program and fellowship, expanded our program’s clinical trials portfolio, advanced educational innovation, and created a thriving wellness program for the pediatric neurosciences faculty and staff. Dr. Pavitt is the recipient of a Dell Children’s Excellence in Teaching Award and a Dell Med GME Clinical Learning Environment Award. She was named 2025 Clinician of the Year in the category of pediatric leadership by Ascension Medical Group and was elected to the Dell Children’s Pediatric Leadership Board in July 2025.
March 14, 2026, Filed Under: NewsA Conversation With Elias Rizk: Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery Rizk performing a craniotomy Elias Rizk, MD, PhD, MSc, is an esteemed pediatric neurosurgeon who last year became the co-chief of UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, chief of pediatric neurosurgery, and professor of neurosurgery at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. The interview below provides a glimpse of Rizk’s extraordinary program vision, thoughtfulness, and humility. How did you become interested in pediatric neurosurgery? My interest in pediatric neurosurgery began with a keen interest in embryology and neuroscience, interests that grew during my graduate and postgraduate training. Pediatric neurosurgery is a special field because we have the opportunity to care for children who demonstrate such resilience and potential for recovery. Importantly, we can make a huge difference in their lives by preventing a disability and improving their quality of life. Another exciting aspect of the field is the rapidly advancing technologies that we use every day to improve patient care. Pediatric neurosurgery is truly a calling. We work with children and their families, helping them through some of the most difficult times in their lives. What are some of the challenges you have faced as a pediatric neurosurgeon? Pediatric neurosurgery is extremely rewarding, but it also presents its own challenges. On the emotional side, taking care of kids and their families during life-changing events can be very difficult. It requires the ability to walk a tight rope between empathy, objectivity, and detachment. On the technical side, there is also the challenge of working with the smaller anatomical structures in kids. Other challenges include keeping up with the latest technology and providing equitable access to care. Rizk with pediatric neurology assistant chief Sara Pavitt, MD, at the annual pediatric neurosciences Super (Neuro) Bowl UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s is a fairly new program with an emerging academic reputation. What led you here? After more than a decade at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where I was the chief of pediatric neurosurgery, I was ready for the next challenge in an exciting setting. I was attracted to UT Austin and Dell Children’s because, from my first encounter, I could sense the momentum and enthusiasm here. Everything about these institutions feels like they are on the move. Everyone from administration on down is committed and working together to create something very special. There is also Austin’s spirit of innovation combined with the powerful partnership between Dell Medical School and the Ascension system. Since my arrival in January of 2025, it has been an experience unlike any other. Everyone is eager about their field and dedicated to providing care of the highest caliber. Here, I have the ability to work as part of a team that gives children their best opportunity not only to survive but to thrive. With the focus on innovation at Dell Medical School, what excites you most about the pediatric neurosciences program? We have an amazing team of highly committed people. I am also excited about the opportunity to break new ground in pediatric neurosurgery with technology. At Dell Children’s, we have virtually every innovative technology, including a recently added intraoperative MRI. Along with Brainlab’s in-built navigation technology, this enables real-time modifications during surgery, promoting safety and enabling more precise surgical treatments for children with complex conditions such as tumors or epilepsy. In the future, I am eager to apply our translational work across several areas, including craniofacial defects, brain masses, imaging, and hydrocephalus based on in-house translational work done at Dell Children’s. Rizk with colleagues at the 2025 IMPRES epilepsy research conference You have a special interest in mentoring future neurosurgeons. How have your own mentors shaped the way you mentor and advise others today? Mentoring is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my career. I am privileged to work with brilliant minds. My experience is influenced by people such as Jerry Oakes, Mark Dias, Kimberly Harbaugh, Benny Iskandar, and others. They showed me how to take a mentee’s words to heart and foster them. Their support and mentorship demonstrated how to foster an open environment that helps mentees find growth opportunities. Like my own mentors, I mentor by creating access, providing feedback, and practicing a work-life balance. This approach allows me to inspire students not only to perform well in their field but also to lead with empathy, just as I did with them. Rizk participating in games at the annual pediatric neurosciences retreat Where do you see this program in the next five to ten years? In the coming years, I would like to see our pediatric neurosciences program become a nationwide destination for complex pediatric neurological care. Our team will work extremely hard to ensure that not a single kid from Central Texas needs to leave the area to receive world-class care. We are also committed to enhancing our fellowship and residency opportunities and extending our research program in areas such as genetic disorders and regenerative medicine. While our goal is to become a renowned academic medical center, we also aim to be a superb hospital for our extended community and a place where children come first. I can merely say I am honored to be a part of it.
February 17, 2026, Filed Under: NewsSave the Date: Seventh Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium Karen Evankovich, PhD, presenting at the sixth Annual Symposium The seventh annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium will be held May 2, 2026, at Dell Children’s with virtual access. The target audience is general pediatric practitioners who care for children with a wide range of neurological disorders. This free event will feature interactive presentations by pediatric neuroscience faculty on a broad range of topics, from the causes and treatment of autism to CNS infections related to vaccine-preventable diseases. Each presentation will provide specific techniques and evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management. Details on registration and CME forthcoming. Access the presentations and slides from last year’s symposium here.
February 14, 2026, Filed Under: NewsResearch Power Couple Studies How Brain Circuit Processing Is Altered in Neurodevelopmental Disorders MacKenzie Howard, PhD Audrey Brumback, MD, PhD Work by our research power couple, MacKenzie Howard, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology and neuroscience, and Audrey Brumback, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology, focuses on understanding neurodevelopmental disorders at the cellular and molecular levels. By defining how different brain circuits process information and how that information processing is altered in neurodevelopmental disorders, their team hopes to uncover new ways of shifting brain cell activity from the disordered processing back toward the normal state. In two recently published articles, the team defined differences between two separate subcircuits within the connections between the prefrontal cortex and the mediodorsal thalamus, a processing network involved in controlling higher functions such as cognition, learning, and social behavior. Different properties of neurons in the thalamic subregions shift the timing of cell responses, changing the type of information these two different circuits extract (Lyuboslavsky et al. 2024). They next studied a genetically engineered mouse model of fragile X syndrome. In these animals, brain cells in one of the subcircuits are altered while those in the other subcircuit are not (Ordemann et al. 2025). This vital work is improving our understanding of how and where such disorders take root and may facilitate the development of future therapies. Further work by the Brumback-Howard team has explored the roots of neurodevelopmental disorders in brain areas that are often overlooked. The cerebellum has long been known for its role in coordinating and learning movements, but its role in learning and memory, cognition, social behavior, and language is less well known. The team studied a genetically engineered mouse model of Dravet syndrome, which typically causes severe epilepsy, disabling movement disorders, developmental and intellectual regression, and autism. They discovered that while the seizures associated with Dravet syndrome likely arise in the cortex and hippocampus, many of its other manifestations may arise from altered neural activity in the cerebellum (Guillén et al. 2025). These findings may shift and guide the priorities for therapy development to focus on the cerebellum and other brain structures that are rarely considered in neurodevelopmental disorders.
