Kathy Gardner, MD, is a neurologist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is co-director of UPMC Children’s Hospital Neurofibromatosis Clinic and is an assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Gardner’s clinical and research interests include the genetics of both common and rare hemiplegic forms of migraine. She is an advisor and board member for the local chapter of the Neurofibromatosis Clinics Association. Dr. Gardner is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Her top areas of expertise are Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), Schwannomatosis, and Tuberous Sclerosis.

View Dr. Gaesser's full list of publications from PubMed. . Her top areas of expertise are Acromicric Dysplasia, Infantile Neutropenia, and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).

Alexis Franks, MD, is a specialist in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and is certified in Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Colorado at Denver School of Medicine and completed her Neurodevelopmental Disabilities residency at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.  Dr. Franks’s clinical interests include neurogenetic, neurometabolic, and intellectual developmental disorders, and her research interests include neurodevelopmental implications of exogenous perinatal exposures. She has multiple publications and is a member of the Child Neurology Society, the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Neuroscience, and the American Medical Association. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family and enjoys hiking with her two Scottish terriers.  View the full list of Dr. Franks’s publications on PubMed. . Her top areas of expertise are Dysarthria, Hypotonia, and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).

Michael Paldino, MD, specializes in diagnostic radiology and neuroradiology and is certified by the American Board of Radiology. He practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Radiology and is affiliated with UPMC Horizon, UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Mercy, UPMC Jameson, UPMC East, UPMC Altoona, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Northwest, UPMC Williamsport, UPMC McKeesport, UPMC Passavant, UPMC Muncy, UPMC St Margaret, UPMC Hamot, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and UPMC Bedford. He completed his fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. . His top areas of expertise are Polymicrogyria, Cortical Dysplasia, Subdural Effusion, and Hydrocephalus.

Ian Pollack, MD, is Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, A. Leland Albright Professor of Neurosurgery, and vice-chair for Academic Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is professor of clinical and translational science and distinguished professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Pollack is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). His top areas of expertise are Glioma, Gliomatosis Cerebri, Brain Tumor, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Craniectomy.

Martin Piazza, MD, is a pediatric neurosurgeon. He is the surgical director of the Pediatric Surgical Movement Disorders and Neurosurgery Spinal Programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Piazza received his undergraduate degree in chemistry with a certificate in materials science and engineering from Princeton University. He earned his medical doctorate from Wake Forest School of Medicine. Dr. Piazza spent a year at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., as a fellow in the Medical Research Scholars Program. During this time, he performed research in the Surgical Neurology Branch focused on edema associated with pediatric and adult brain tumors. Dr. Piazza is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Hospitals neurosurgery residency program. He completed fellowships in pediatric neurosurgery at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and in pediatric spinal deformity at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. Dr. Piazza is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). His top areas of expertise are Lordosis, Chiari Malformation, Chiari Malformation Type 2, Spasticity, and Spinal Fusion.

Julia Meade, MD, is a pediatric genetic oncologist certified in pediatric hematology/oncology by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in both the divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Genetic and Genomic Medicine. Dr. Meade holds a secondary appointment as Associate Professor of Human Genetics in the School of Public Health. She received her medical degree from Texas A&M University School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Colorado, followed by her hematology/oncology fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center and her pediatric neuro-oncology fellowship at Northwestern University. Dr. Meade also holds a certificate in cancer risk assessment from the City of Hope. Dr. Meade is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Her top areas of expertise are Ewing Sarcoma, L1 Syndrome, Osteosarcoma, and Medulloblastoma.

Elizabeth C. Caris, MD, specializes in pediatric cardiology and is board-certified in pediatric cardiology and pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is affiliated with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Altoona, UPMC Passavant and UPMC Bedford. Dr. Caris completed her medical education at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, residency at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and fellowships at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Seattle Children's Hospital. Dr. Caris is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Her top areas of expertise are Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), Partial Atrioventricular Canal, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), and Ventricular Septal Defects.

James Felker, MD, is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and is certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Felker received his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed his residency at Northwestern University/Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago followed by a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology and neuro-oncology at Emory University/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Felker’s clinical interests include pediatric brain and spinal tumors and clinical trial development. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a member of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society for Neuro-Oncology, Children’s Oncology Group, and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium. His wife is a pediatric cardiologist at UPMC Children’s and has an interest in long term cardiac outcomes for oncology patients. Together they have two girls and a beagle mutt. Dr Felker enjoys running along the rivers in Pittsburgh while trying to avoid the hills. View the full list of Dr. Felker's publications on PubMed. View Dr. Felker's profile at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine – Department of Pediatrics. LGBTQIA+ Affirming: This provider has completed training on how to create a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ patients. This provider may or may not offer LGBTQIA+ specific medical or surgical care. Please ask when scheduling. Dr. Felker is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). His top areas of expertise are Brain Stem Cancer, Glioma, Diffuse Midline Glioma H3 K27M-Mutant, and Medulloblastoma.

Mary Sanders is a Physician Assistant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her top area of expertise is Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).

Ellen Mitchell, MD, specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is affiliated with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC Mercy. Dr. Mitchell completed fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, residency at Nassau University Medical Center and medical degree at Drexel University. . Her top areas of expertise are Papilledema, Strabismus, Brown Syndrome, and Crigler-Najjar Syndrome.

Jan Drappatz, MD, is a neuro-oncologist, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and the director of the Neuro-oncology program at UPMC. Dr. Drappatz specializes in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors and neurologic complications of cancer. Dr. Drappatz is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). His top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Glioma, and Gliomatosis Cerebri.

Melissa Burgess, MD, is an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a medical oncologist. She specializes in the treatment of soft tissue and bone sarcomas and Merkel cell carcinoma. Dr. Burgess is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Her top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Liposarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Shirley Ong, MD, specializes in hematology oncology and is board-certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She practices at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and is affiliated with UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Presbyterian. Dr. Ong received her medical degree from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center and completed her residency at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. . Her top areas of expertise are Glioblastoma, Astrocytoma, Glioma, and Brain Tumor.

Daniel P. Petro, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Hillman Cancer Center. He treats all cancer types, and has a special interest in a multidisciplinary approach to thoracic malignancies. Dr. Petro is also heavily involved in the research of Phase I trials. . His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Awake Craniotomy.

Megan M. Mantica, MD, is an assistant professor of neurology and medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the division of hematology/oncology. She specializes in the treatment of adult high grade gliomas, central nervous system lymphoma, and neurological complications of cancer treatment. Her translational research interests include womenís neuro-oncology, reproductive neuro-oncology and metastatic brain disease, and high grade gliomas. . Her top areas of expertise are Glioma, Brain Tumor, Glioblastoma, and Astrocytoma.

Jessica Lee is a Plastic Surgeon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her top areas of expertise are Autosomal Cleft Palate, Recurrent Peripheral Facial Palsy, Facial Paralysis, Myringotomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery.

James Russavage is a Plastic Surgeon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His top areas of expertise are Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Epidural Lipomatosis, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), Fasciotomy, and Hernia Surgery.

Amani Davis is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Davis is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). His top areas of expertise are Cardiomyopathic Lentiginosis, Legius Syndrome, Malignant Hypertension, and Increased Intracranial Pressure.

Airaj Fasiuddin is an Ophthalmologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Fasiuddin is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Her top areas of expertise are Strabismus, Amblyopia, X-Linked Infantile Nystagmus, and Coloboma of Iris.