Dr. David Frim is an internationally recognized neurosurgeon and neurosciences researcher who has specialized in the care of children and adults with congenital central nervous system anomalies for over 20 years. Dr. Frim’s research and his innovative approaches to treating hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, and tethered cord syndrome have attracted patients and families from national and international sources. Although Dr. Frim is no longer practicing clinically, the neurosurgical team at the University of Chicago Medicine is continuing his legacy in treating pediatric patients with all forms of neurosurgical pathology. Dr. Frim continues to be an active medical researcher and educator for the Margaret Hackett Family Program, and also serves as principal investigator on laboratory and research studies related to brain injury, intracranial pressure dynamics, and cognitive outcome after treatment of hydrocephalus and Chiari syndrome.

A board-certified radiologist/neuroradiologist, Dr. Carina Yang specializes in pediatric neuroradiology with a focus on diagnosing and characterizing the full scope of head, brain, spine and neck conditions. Dr. Yang is an expert in interpretation of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) examinations, and promotes techniques for pediatric patients to minimize radiation exposure and performing testing without the need for extended sedation. The Margaret Hackett Family Program at the University of Chicago aims to collaborate with physicians who advocate for the education and the advancement of knowledge pertaining to the care of patients. Dr. Yang dedicates time to aid the program’s medical researchers by suggesting the best imaging modalities and how to best evaluate imaging data when evaluating past approaches to treatment and planning innovative clinical trials. Her collaboration ensures an effective multi-disciplinary approach to analyzing clinical data, understanding patient scans, and expanding educational frontiers

Dr. Maureen Lacy is interested in the assessment of memory, language, reasoning, and spatial and attention problems related to medical, neurologic and psychiatric conditions. Dr. Lacy is also interested in the neuropsychological detection and characterization of neurodegenerative conditions (dementias). In addition to her clinical practice, she is engaged in multiple ongoing research projects in which she studies the cognitive, behavioral and clinical aspects of Hydrocephalus across a lifetime. The Margaret Hackett Family Program’s ongoing collaboration with Dr. Lacy has begun to unravel the cognitive impact that can be caused to patients with hydrocephalus and/or Chiari malformation type 1.

Dr. Moise Danielpour of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is one of the few pediatric neurosurgeons in the world with experience with in utero surgical treatment for birth defects, such as myelomeningocele. He is a world-renowned investigator and neurosurgical expert on congenital anomalies of the central nervous system and acquired neurosurgical diseases such as skeletal dysplasia, hydrocephalus, Chiari malformations, brain tumors, craniosynostosis, and vascular malformations. As a Consortium Member, Dr. Danielpour contributes his knowledge and expertise to the Margaret Hackett Family Program’s clinical database and research initiatives.

Dr. Lissa Baird is the director of neurosurgical oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital. She specializes in caring for children with neurosurgical disorders of the brain and spine, and has specific expertise in the treatment of brain tumors and pediatric neurovascular disease. Dr. Baird is also specialized in using minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques for treating many disorders including hydrocephalus, tumors of the skull base and pituitary region, and arachnoid cysts. Her research interests are focused on neuro-oncology and working towards novel treatments and a better understanding of pediatric brain tumors. Dr. Baird also works closely with the clinical director of pediatric neuro-oncology and her neurosurgical team at Boston Children’s to expand the research and clinical capabilities of their neuro-oncology program with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. As a consortium member of the Margaret Hackett Family Program, Dr. Baird plays an important role in developing the clinical database.

Dr. Sarah Jernigan is committed to providing longstanding care to pediatric patients well into their adulthood. With a broad range of experience in treating neurosurgical conditions in patients, Dr. Jernigan focuses on providing patients the best care possible. After graduating college, Dr. Jernigan traveled to Morocco as a member of the Peace Corps where she developed a passion for international outreach. Dr. Jernigan uses her services as a physician to provide better care to patients and families across borders, and she continues her outreach efforts as a way to pay her educational merits forward. As a member of the Consortium for the Margaret Hackett Family Program, Dr. Jernigan lends her experience as an international provider and her commitment to better patient care to the program and its affiliated patients.

Dr. Christina Sayama is an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Sayama’s research interests focus on bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and their use in spinal fusion surgeries, as well as other new developments in scoliosis surgery such as sublaminar polyester bands. She has a specialized focus on pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neuro-oncology, and pediatric spinal surgery. As a member of the Consortium, Dr. Sayama lends her experience and knowledge as a pediatric spinal surgeon to the program.