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Johns Hopkins Children's Center

Pediatric Neurosurgery

The world-class specialists and subspecialists in the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Division of Neurosurgery provide an array of specialized neurological services that support the individual child as well as the entire family. Our goal is to bring scientific research and discovery into clinical services to improve the lives of today’s child.

Learn more about the variety of services and resources that are available to you and your child.

Nationally Ranked in Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is nationally ranked in pediatric neurology & neurosurgery on the 2024–2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals list.

Overall, the Children’s Center ranks #1 in Maryland, and all 11 specialties are nationally ranked.

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Two sisters posed together outside

Conditions We Treat

Now Recruiting Research Study: Erythropoietin and Melatonin for Very Preterm Infants with Intraventricular Hemorrhage

The goal of this research study is to see if high doses of melatonin and erythropoietin (EPO) are safely tolerated by preterm babies born before 32 weeks gestation with severe brain bleeds.

Learn more about the study

Our Neurosurgery Team

Director, Pediatric Neurosurgery

Alan R. Cohen, MD

  • Director, Johns Hopkins Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Professor of Neurological Surgery

Expertise: Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery

Pediatric Neurosurgeons

Physician Assistants

Stephanie Berry, P.A.-C.

Kelly Harnett, P.A.-C.

Heather Kerber, P.A.-C.

Programs and Centers

Brain Tumors in Children: A Review By Dr. Alan Cohen

Brain tumors are the leading causes of cancer-related death among children. In this article from The New England Journal of Medicine, pediatric neurosurgeon Alan Cohen reviews recent changes in the classification and treatment of pediatric brain tumors.

Read this publication in NEJM.
dr cohen

Patient Stories

When Concussion Calls for Surgery

Morgan Edwards had almost completed her Saturday afternoon ATV ride when she collided with her brother on a dirt bike near her home in Aberdeen, Maryland.
dr eric jackson

Savannah's NICN Journey

Cheryl Carr knew her second pregnancy was tougher than her first. Diagnosed with complete previa, in which the placenta supplying nutrients and oxygen to the fetus blocks the cervical opening, Carr was put on bed rest.
savannah

Research and Clinical Trials

Clinical trials give patients and families the opportunity to explore newer therapies. Learn more about current studies for neurological conditions like hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, achondroplasia, epilepsy, spina bifida, nervous system tumors and more.

View open clinical trials

Contact Us

For Patients and Families

Appointments:  888-533-1911 or 410-955-7337 (PEDS)

Fax: 410-955-7862

For patients and families needing to reach the On-Call physician for emergencies after 5 pm:  Paging Operator: 410-955-6070

For Health Care Providers

Emergency consultative services (physician-to-physician) are available 24 hours a day by calling the Hopkins Access Line (HAL) at 1-800-765-5447 or in Baltimore 410-955-9444.

The Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Hopkins Children's is exclusively devoted to the diagnosis and management of neurosurgical problems in infants, children and teenagers.

Locations and Directions

The pediatric neurosurgery group sees patients almost every day of the week at the Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

We have a clinic every Tuesday afternoon at Greenspring Station in Baltimore County and every Thursday afternoon at Cedar Lane in Howard County.