Neuroscience Collaborations

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When pediatricians, specialists, caregivers and parents are communicating and working together, the result is some of the nation's most advanced, kid-friendly care.

Because the brain and central nervous system control everything we do, neurological conditions are very often related to a variety of other ailments and disorders. Having a medical system where every department, doctor, and care team member works together means that your child can have quick access to testing, diagnosis and treatment, and that means better outcomes now and in the future.

When you communicate very openly and quickly from physician to physician, department to department you can better identify and implement goals that benefit the kids.

John Honeycutt, M.D.

The Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center at Cook Children's is one of the most well-respected neurological centers in the nation. Our focus is on treating and curing illnesses, injuries and congenital and acquired defects. As part of our commitment to our patients to have the best medical options available, and easily accessible, we work closely with other Cook Children's pediatric specialists across all of our specialties. Some of our most common collaborations include:

When physicians from across our system come together to identify and solve a child's condition, we're providing family-centered care that benefits everyone. This collaboration is one of the key ingredients to successful treatments and, ultimately, better outcomes.

Your child's team may also include dietitians, Child Life specialists, social workers, physical therapists, psychologists and a variety of care teams throughout our system.

Thinking outside the box

Because neurological conditions are a part of the central nervous system, our patients often require more complex care involving other parts of the body, and therefore, other specialties. Our unique collaboration is second to none. The bonds between each member of our staff and across related specialties such as Hematology and Oncology, the Heart Center, Endocrinology, orthopedics, and other medical and support services patients may need, result in a superior level of care for your child. One that we can achieve not only with pride, but with true compassion.

Thinking outside the box also means reaching beyond our walls to collaborate with great institutions within our region, as well as nationally–and even internationally–expanding our research opportunities and making it possible to bring the best therapies back home to Cook Children's.

As part of this reach, we are active members in the Children's Oncology Group and we participate in the current Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Collaboration Phase II Trial of Molecularly Determined Treatment of Children and Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas, and additional consortiums for Phase I through III trials with other leading institutions.

We are also members of the Texas-Oklahoma Pediatric Neuro-Oncology consortium (TOPNOC). In addition, staff members of the Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center at Cook Children's actively pursue professional growth, continued learning and outreach to other neurosciences professionals.

United in the fight

Our collaboration doesn't stop with our staff, colleagues or other institutions. It also means partnering with the most important group of all, the patients and families at Cook Children's. After all, that's why we're here ... to unite in the fight against brain and nervous system disorders, to treat and cure as many kids as possible, and to bring hope and caring to each day of even the most difficult journeys.

That means bringing as much childhood as possible into each day, which we do through our Child Life services, Child Life Zone, onsite health resource library, art therapies and more. Our Social Services team is available around the clock to help families deal with the day-to-day and long-term challenges they face. We even have special programs just for siblings, because medical conditions affect brothers and sisters, too.

Finally, we join with the community to make a difference through large and small efforts. From Ronald McDonald House to community programs to the generosity of philanthropy, we are all contributing to better outcomes today, and in the future. Together we are making a difference.

We're here to help.

If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-303-2650.