MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening of a dedicated neurology clinic and the arrival of three pediatric neurologists at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center are a result of the commitment the hospital has made to its Neuroscience Institute. World-renown neurologist Dr. James W. Wheless began these expansion efforts when he arrived at Le Bonheur in May 2005 as the new Neuroscience Director. “Our goal is to raise this program to a Level IV national epilepsy program for children,” said Wheless. “We want to get to the point where any epilepsy treatment that is available anywhere in the world would be available for children here also.”
The clinic is a 4,788-square-foot center staffed by six pediatric neurologists and three nurses. The new neurology clinic offers nine examination rooms, a patient education room and a clinical research office. Areas of emphasis at the clinic include epilepsy, headache, neuromuscular conditions and autism spectrum disorders.
Before the opening of the clinic and the growth of the neurology department, about 300 pediatric neurology patients were seen per month. Dr. Wheless estimates that clinic numbers will increase to more than 700 per month as the new pediatric neurology clinic becomes established.
In addition to the opening of the clinic, three new pediatric neurologists from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston have joined the neurology team. Dr. Dave F. Clarke, pediatric neurologist, will be assistant professor of Pediatrics at University of Tennessee Health Science Center and co-director of the Neurophysiology Laboratory at Le Bonheur. He completed his neurophysiology fellowship at the University of Toronto Hospital for Sick Children in Canada and completed his fellowship in child neurology at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. He received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Overlook Hospital, Affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Freedom F. Perkins, Jr., pediatric neurologist, will be assistant professor of Pediatrics at University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He completed his clinical neurophysiology/epilepsy fellowship, pediatric neurology fellowship and pediatric residency at the University of Texas. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and served as a flight surgeon at the Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
Dr. Amy McGregor, pediatric neurologist, will be an assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She completed her clinical neurophysiology fellowship, child neurology fellowship and pediatric residency at the University of Texas in Houston. She received her medical degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. McGregor was voted outstanding resident teacher in neurology by the senior medical school class in June 2003.
In addition to Dr. Wheless and his team from Texas, Dr. Masanori Igarashi and Dr. Ahmad Al-Hamda will staff the clinic as well. Dr. Igarashi is the director of the Neuromuscular Disorders Clinic and an associate professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Al-Hamda is director of the Headache Center and an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
For more than 50 years, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center has provided the best health care for all children. The legacy of our Le Bonheur Club founders lives on in our dream for the future.
With the help of a generous community, Le Bonheur will be transformed into a state-of-the-art, family-centered facility to be surpassed by none other. The health and well-being of generations to come depend on today’s promise to grow in excellence.
Contact: Anne Glankler LBCMC 901-572-3030 glanklea@lebonheur.org
Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center
CONTACT: Anne Glankler of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center,+1-901-572-3030, or glanklea@lebonheur.org
Web site: http://www.lebonheur.org/