Meet Dr. Brian Ryals

After graduating from medical school at The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, Dr. Brian Ryals spent nine years in the Army in residency training and service, followed by three years of service in the Army. He was content practicing as a pediatric neurologist in Colorado, with no intention of moving back to the Southwest. But in 1995, he saw a job posting for a neurologist at Cook Children's and everything changed. He decided to pursue the opportunity and interviewed with a Cook Children's neurologist over the phone. And, that's all it took. More than 20 years later, Dr. Ryals is now the medical director of Cook Children's Headache program within Cook Children's Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center.

"I knew from the first moment I talked to someone at Cook Children's that I would be coming here," said Dr. Ryals. "I told my wife, 'This sounds like the nicest place in the world. This is the job I want to take.'" During his time at Cook Children's, Dr. Ryals has served on the Board of Trustees for five years. This involvement further confirmed for him that the patient truly is at the heart of everything we do at Cook Children's.

For that reason, Dr. Ryals has chosen to include Cook Children's in his estate planning and is a member of our Legacy Society. His giving will continue to benefit patients for generations to come. In addition to devoting his career to his patients and leading through the board, Dr. Ryals is also a member of Cook Children's Doctors Society, a giving society for physicians and dentists affiliated with Cook Children's. Through his support of the Children's Fund, a fund aimed at assisting with the health care system's greatest needs, Dr. Ryals is able to give back to the entire system, and to areas outside of his department that also care for his patients.

Dr. Ryals has seen how the generosity of this community has had an impact on his work, and on his patients. It has brought technology, equipment and resources. "There is a spirit of giving that you see everywhere here," he said. "You can't quite put your finger on it, but it's here and not a lot of places have that." Dr. Ryals says that his favorite part of his job is teaching families about their child's condition and watching them get better. Once they learn about the condition and how to deal with it, their anxiety and fear of the unknown fade. "No matter what you do ?- after you do it a thousand times, the technical thing that you're doing becomes fairly routine," said Dr. Ryals. "But the pleasure comes with, if you do it right, seeing someone get better. And it's a real privilege to see that."

Services

  • Botox for chronic migraine
  • Chronic post-concussive headache treatments
  • Concussion care
  • Headache care
  • Nerve blocks

Reviews

Average rating:

4.8
Questions were addressed
4.8
4.8 (70)
Provider explained things clearly
4.8
4.8 (71)
Likelihood of recommending this provider
4.7
4.7 (71)
Trust/confidence in physicians
4.7
4.7 (68)

What our families say

  • November 26, 2025

    Good

  • November 05, 2025

    Dr Ryals was incredible. He was knowledgeable, proactive and kind to my son.

  • October 25, 2025

    The ease of scheduling pur appointment was amazing. The person who helped us do that iver th phone was attentive and helpful. Absolutely every person we had contact with during our visit was kind and helpful. From registration, to taking my daughter's vitals and information, to Dr. Ryals, to the person who helped us book our follow up appointment. We felt very well taken care of and I could not have asked for a better experience for my daughter. Our visit and the care she received was truly a blessing for our family.

  • October 25, 2025

    Dr. Ryals was phenomenal. We traveled 4 hours to see him as there are no pediatric neurologist in our area. I was afraid we would end up waisting time and money to make the trip only to find a doctor who was not helpful. I was prepared to be disappointed and frustrated. I am happy to say that was not the case at all. Dr. Ryals took the time to listen to my daughter and our concerns as her parents. He put all of us at ease and explained everything clearly. He truly cares about his patients and takes time to explain things and answer questions. That is so refreshing when most providers feel like they are rushing to get to the next patient. I could not recommend Dr. Ryals more. He was such a blessing to my family.

  • October 22, 2025

    Dr Ryals was phenomenal

  • October 22, 2025

    Really nice experience

  • October 22, 2025

    The Dr he is really nice

  • October 18, 2025

    Very good visit!

  • October 18, 2025

    The admin staff were wonderful!

  • October 07, 2025

    Neurologist was very caring and professional. He made it so easy and better. More like a person who cares

  • October 04, 2025

    Th doctor was absolutely amazing and extremely helpful and took the time to talk to my son and explain things no one else has.

  • September 27, 2025

    Dr Ryals is wonderful! Very sweet with my kid which was nice to see:)

  • September 13, 2025

    Dr. Ryals was very kind and help to clarify my concerns regarding my child's health.

  • August 14, 2025

    Every one on duty was excellent

  • August 14, 2025

    I was really impressed. Everyone was very professional and friendly

  • July 26, 2025

    Everything was good.

  • July 26, 2025

    Everyone we encounter was a pleasure.

  • July 24, 2025

    I couldn't have envisioned a more positive experience! Thank you everyone!

  • July 24, 2025

    Our doctor was an absolute delight! Funny and friendly, taking the time to get to know us, offering the kindest encouragement, giving our daughter plenty of opportunities to share her feelings and concerns, giving us options to consider, and even including big brother in the discussions for fun. We feel so blessed and encouraged after our visit! Additionally, every staff member we spoke with was so kind and helpful. It's hard to look in any direction in the whole facility without finding a helpful, smiling human eager to help us!

  • July 16, 2025

    The doctor was amazing in listening to my child and understanding. He listened very intently on our concerns and explained everything he could in a way we can understand.

  • July 12, 2025

    Dr Ryal's is fantastic and really helps me manage my child's migraines.

  • July 12, 2025

    Dr Ryal's has great bedside manner and he has been vital to my son's health. My son has horrible migraines that make him nauseous. We can manage them pretty effectively now and they are slowly becoming less frequent.

  • June 08, 2025

    Great, talked to my child and answered her questions.

  • June 08, 2025

    Fantastic caring amazing Dr. Thrilled that we get his care. He is always very concerned and at ease with explaining details about new opportunities and use of current meds

  • June 05, 2025

    Entire front desk - very friendly,approachable and helpful

  • April 10, 2025

    The dr and nurse were very good to [...]. Made her feel very comfortable

  • March 26, 2025

    Everyone really behaved well

  • March 26, 2025

    The attention is very good from the staff of that department.

  • March 25, 2025

    Dr. Ryals is fantastic. I enjoy his presence, he's a sweet old man.

  • March 05, 2025

    Dr Ryals. He is fabulous!!

  • March 05, 2025

    Love visiting Dr. Ryals. Wish I could see him for something!

  • March 04, 2025

    Dr. Ryals - it is clear that he loves what he does and cares for his patients.

  • March 01, 2025

    Dr. Ryals a great doctor. Always takes time to thoroughly answer any questions. Always ensures understanding. Puts patients at ease. Very personable.

  • February 26, 2025

    We were very impressed with how smooth the appointment as a whole went, from entering the building, registration and then seeing medical staff. The Dr spent time with us, listening to our concerns. The facility as a whole is wonderful.

  • January 30, 2025

    This is my sons first time being seen by Dr.Ryals and i'm super happy with the way he evaluated my son and the simplicity of how he explained everything to my husband and I in a way we understood. Amazing Doctor

  • January 21, 2025

    Dr Ryals is amazing! We have not had any issues with anyone at the Dodson Clinic, and she sees 3 specialists there

  • January 02, 2025

    Dr Ryal's is great.

Education

  • Medical school:
  • University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
  • Residency:
  • Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO
  • Board certifications:
  • American Board of Pediatrics and Neurology
  • Special qualifications in Child Neurology
  • Board certified in Headache Medicine

Affiliations

  • American Academy of Neurology, American Headache Society, International Headache Society, Southern Headache Society, Texas Neurological Association,Cook Children's Physician Network

Recognitions

  • Texas Super Doctors 2016

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