Why Choose Us
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
NewYork-Presbyterian’s pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons are internationally recognized for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of neurosurgical diseases and disorders in children. Their knowledge and clinical expertise across the entire spectrum of pediatric disorders of the brain and spine, coupled with a multidisciplinary team approach, enables them to develop expertise in very rare conditions such as gene therapy, prenatal surgery, movement disorders, cerebrovascular diseases, spasticity, and craniovertebral junction (CVJ) abnormalities.
As physicians affiliated with dedicated children’s hospitals, they collaborate with pediatric specialists in every field of medicine and surgery as needed, including child neurologists and neuroradiologists, anesthesiologists, neuropathology, nurses, child life advocates and social workers specially trained to work with children.
Expertise in Genetic Testing and Counseling
At NewYork-Presbyterian, our team of highly specialized, internationally recognized geneticists, genetic counselors, and nurse practitioners provide clinical services to children and adults with a wide variety of rare genetic disorders. Our geneticists provide comprehensive genomic testing that may not be available or is difficult to access at other institutions. We frequently use exome or genome sequencing to facilitate diagnoses in complex cases. We offer a second-opinion service to reassess previously performed genomic tests to evaluate patients with undiagnosed disorders.
Unique Programs for Rare and Undiagnosed Genetic Diseases
- At NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the DISCOVER program (Diagnosis Initiative: Seeking Care and Opportunities with Vision for Exploration and Research) is an integrated program for undiagnosed diseases that integrates excellent clinical care and state-of-the-art research, with the aim of reaching accurate clinical and molecular diagnoses. The DISCOVER team includes a clinical geneticist, genetic counselor, nurse practitioner, social worker, and coordinator.
- At NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, the TREATMENT program offers a range of treatments and supports for patients with rare genetic conditions. This novel program has established NewYork-Presbyterian as a destination for patients with rare genetic disorders seeking treatments.
Access to World-Class Pediatric Specialists
Your child's healthcare team has access to all of the various pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists who practice at NewYork-Presbyterian, ensuring that your child’s entire medical needs can be addressed.
Seamless Access to Resources and Support Services
At New York-Presbyterian, patients and families have seamless access to our vast resources, including on-staff neuropsychologists who offer testing and treatments for emotional and cognitive issues that may occur after a brain or spine injury. We also have a Parent-to-Parent program that can connect you personally with a parent whose child has been treated for the condition your child has.
Research
Columbia and Weil Cornell Medicine pediatric neurologists, geneticists, and other clinician-scientists are involved in several ongoing and diverse research initiatives across the range of genetic conditions. The team works collaboratively with many groups around the US and around to world to expand newborn screening for genetic disorders, identify novel genes for diseases, and develop new treatments and supports for patients with rare genetic diseases including neurogenetic conditions. Several physicians are actively enrolling children in clinical trials for rare diseases – there may be an active trial for your child’s condition with a novel precision medicine treatment.