Since May 2024, Duke has expanded its pediatric neurosurgery team with distinguished neurosurgeons. The department’s growth will allow the team to serve more pediatric patients in Guilford and Wake counties. “Children and their families don’t have to travel as far for exceptional neurosurgery care,” says Gerald Grant, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon and neurosurgery department chair. 

Neurosurgeons Amanda V. Jenson, MD, and Stephanie Greene, MD, chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Duke Children’s, see patients at the Duke Children's Specialty Services of Greensboro clinic. Grant and Breanna M. Beltz, PA-C, physician assistant, see patients at Duke Primary Care Pediatrics at Duke Health Cary. All continue to treat patients at the Duke Children’s Health Center Neurosurgery Clinic in Durham, where pediatric neurosurgeon, Herbert E. Fuchs, MD, sees patients too. The team will welcome an additional highly esteemed pediatric neurosurgeon, Robert Kellogg MD, in May. 

“Our goal is to bring the power of Duke’s expertise and subspecialty care to patients in their local communities with a collaborative approach. We consult on patient cases, combining our expertise to deliver the best care possible,” says Grant.

Duke’s neurosurgeons have extensive expertise in several pediatric subspecialties, treating brain tumors, vascular conditions, epilepsy, congenital spine deformities, and craniofacial abnormalities. 

Duke’s Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center is renowned in treating pediatric brain tumors. “Our team is privileged to work alongside this group, having close relationships with the pediatric neuro-oncology teams nationwide and support staff to give pediatric patients the best brain tumor treatment options possible, including clinical trials,” says Grant. The Center is also widely known for its Destination Hope program, which provides funds, accommodations, and support so families can travel to Duke for care.

In addition, Duke’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Team offers a breadth of expertise for children with severe epilepsy to provide the most innovative care. “Surgical options for epilepsy are cutting-edge at Duke, including neuromodulation to improve quality of life and stop seizures. 

The team also supports: 

• a strong craniofacial program with integrated care from senior plastic surgeons to treat complex skull-based conditions such as craniosynostosis
• specialized treatment of pediatric vascular conditions, including arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms, and moyamoya disease
• skull base specialists who treat skull base tumors using a minimally invasive endoscopic approach 
• a national reputation for treating Chiari malformations and syringomyelia
• expertise in treating complex concussions among athletes and children
• the treatment of complex hydrocephalus with an endoscopic approach

According to Grant, the team is eager to connect with more pediatricians and neurologists to raise awareness about Duke’s pediatric neurosurgery growth. “Our goal is to keep expanding and bringing high-level academic pediatric neurosurgery to more communities in North Carolina. We are always happy to collaborate with referring providers to review and consult on surgical cases, provide second opinions, or connect patients to other services that may be helpful in the Duke network.”