Pediatric Brain Injury Program
(612) 873-2680

Faculty:

Medical co-directors
Andrew Kiragu, M.D.
Armantina Espinosa, M.D.

Program coordinator/Social Services
Kary Lehman, LICSW

Program Secretary
Kathy Spence

In 2010, the Pediatric Brain Injury Program served 185 inpatients. Of these 185, 10% had severe brain injuries, 76% had mild injuries, and the remainder were moderate. All of the children received state of the art, specialized care from a team of professionals experienced in treating children with brain injuries. Many patients continued with follow-up care at HCMC after their discharge home. The outpatient services included Neurosurgery, Neuropsychology, Neurology, the Mild/Moderate TBI Clinic (for adolescents 13 and over), the Pediatric Brain Injury Clinic (for children 12 and under); Rehabilitation Therapies including Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy; Social Services, and other specialty clinics. In addition to those seen as inpatients, outpatient assessments were completed on numerous children and adolescents who needed evaluation due to a past sustained brain injury. Whether an inpatient or an outpatient, all of the children received coordinated care; including communication with their school to help ease the transition and help educators understand brain injury and the child’s needs.

The Pediatric Brain Injury Program recently celebrated 20 years of providing specialty care at HCMC. While much has changed in 20 years, the quality care and focus on the entire family remains the same. We look forward to continuing to provide this care for the next 20 years and beyond.