My Locations

Duke Children's Health Center Neurology Clinic
2301 Erwin Rd
Second and third floors
Durham, NC 27710-4699
Office: 919-668-4000 Get Directions
Duke Children's Neurology Creekstone
4709 Creekstone Dr
Suite 280
Durham, NC 27703-0016
Office: 919-668-4000 Get Directions
Lenox Baker Children's Hospital
3000 Erwin Rd
Durham, NC 27705-4599
Get Directions

About Me

Learn More About Me

I am a pediatric neurologist and have special interests in tuberous sclerosis, pediatric headaches and general pediatric neurology. Early in my education, I was privileged to work with outstanding child neurologists sharing their love and enthusiasm for this specialty. It is essential not only to connect with the little toddler or adolescent but also the family to arrive at the right diagnosis and therapy. Listening to their story, understanding their needs, building the important partnership with the family and at the end getting a smile from a patient are most rewarding and satisfying. Besides work I love classical music, exercise and spend time with my family.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages
English, German, French, Spanish

Training

Residency
University College London (United Kingdom), 2008
St. Mary's Hospital, England, 1995
Addenbrooke Hospital, 1995-1996
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, 1996-1997
Education
MD, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University (Germany), 1991
PHD, University College London (United Kingdom), 2008
Fellowship
Addenbrooke Hospital, 1997-1998
Lister Hospital, 1998
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, 1998-1999
Cromwell Hospital, 2000-2001
Pediatric Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children-Toronto, 2005-2010

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My research currently revolves around tuberous sclerosis and headaches. I am studying tuberous sclerosis trying to find neuromarkers as that there seems to be a critical window within the first year of life for possible intervention (Werner et al). The functional development of the temporal lobe, which is part of the brain, may play a crucial role in the developmental outcome in tuberous sclerosis. I am also currently planning major research in migraine and sleep. The glymphatic system, which is a clearance pathway, or paravascular system or functional waste clearance pathway for central nervous system (CNS) is effective only during sleep.

Publications and Grants
Clinical Trials
NDPH biomarker study (New Daily Persistent Headache)
IRB#
PRO00113907,
NCT#
NCT06018025

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Overall Provider Rating
4.88 out of 5
115 ratings, 21 reviews

Patient Reviews

Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Survey and displayed in their entirety.
Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy

Insurance

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below. Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

  • Aetna
    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
  • Ambetter
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
  • CIGNA
    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
  • Duke Group Plans
    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
  • Experience Health
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • First Health
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization
    • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization plans*
    • *This plan is only accepted at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke HomeCare & Hospice.
  • Healthgram
  • Humana
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
  • Medicare
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
  • MultiPlan / Private Healthcare Systems
  • NC Medicaid
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • Healthy Blue
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
  • OneNet PPO
  • Optima Health
    • FAMIS*
    • Optima Family Care (Medicaid HMO in VA)*
    • Optima Individual & Family (On & Off Exchange Plans)
    • Optima Plus (PPO)
    • Optima Vantage (HMO)
    • *Duke Primary Care, Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital are not participating with this plan.
  • TRICARE
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
  • United Healthcare
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.

  • NobelPharma
  • Theranica