Pediatric Neurosurgery Program & Services

Recognized as a Top 50 Neurology and Neurosurgery Program by U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023

Our team understands that children are not just miniature adults. They have their own unique physiology and problems. Pediatric neurosurgery is exclusively practiced by approximately 300 surgeons in the United States. Board certification in pediatric neurosurgery requires additional training and certification above that required for certification in general neurosurgery (adult and pediatric). We partner closely with neurology, neuro-oncology, neuropsychology hematology and radiology.

The Pediatric Neurosurgery Program at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital is one of the largest in the Southeast and provides comprehensive pediatric neurosurgery care for patients throughout Florida, the United States, and the world. Our inpatient Surgical Neuroscience Unit has 28 individual patient rooms. For enhanced continuity of care and follow-up, we see patients in our main facility and also at Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care locations in East Lake, Fort Myers and Tampa.

We specialize in the surgical treatment of a wide range of problems including:

Brain and spinal cord tumors
Chiari malformations
Congenital abnormalities of the nervous system
Craniosynostosis and other craniofacial abnormalities
Epilepsy
Head & spine trauma
Hydrocephalus
Infections of the nervous system
Peripheral Nerve
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy
Spasticity & other movement disorders
Spinal Anomalies, including tethered cord and other congenital malformations
Spina Bifida
Vascular lesions

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Read stories about how our Neurosurgery program is changing lives:

Emma Cahoon, R.N., Receives the DAISY Award

Emma Cahoon, R.N., is a clinical nurse on the Surgical Neuroscience unit.

To His Mom, He’s a Medical Masterpiece

When Jaden suffered a traumatic brain injury during a boat accident, multiple specialists at Johns Hopkins All Children’s came together to save the 13-year-old’s life. Now he’s surpassing every expectation with the help of his expert care team, his own positive attitude and his family’s support.

Traumatic Brain Injury Changes Life for Holmes Beach Teen

A neighbor discovered Jake and his wrecked Onewheel and called 911. The teen was airlifted by LifeLine, a critical care transport team, to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Emergency Center and admitted to the PICU. With support from the hospital’s Institute for Brain Protection Sciences and his family and community, Jake has continued to make a remarkable recovery.

A Labor of Love: Neurosurgery is Dr. Luis Rodriguez’s Purpose and Passion

From a young age, pediatric neurosurgeon Luis Rodriguez, M.D., M.A.S., was interested in the brain and how it works. This led him on a path to discover his passion for neurosurgery and working with children. He talks about why he loves coming to the hospital every day and how he connects with patients and families.

An Ocean of Love for Maria Mar

Ron and Maria Del Carmen couldn’t have imagined what would be required to keep their daughter alive and safe in her first two years of life — a journey that would lead them from Guatemala to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Dr. George Jallo Turns Uncertainty into Success

George Jallo, M.D., takes a compassionate approach to helping kids with some of the most complex central nervous system conditions imaginable. He talks about what inspired him to pursue medicine, and how the hospital’s Institute for Brain Protection Sciences continues to grow.

A Rare Brain Bleed Changes Everything for a Young Athlete

A talented young teen faces a life change after suffering bleeding in her brain. Learn more about 14-year-old Ashley’s inspiring story.

Anniel Meets a Trilingual Mermaid

With a little sparkle and a common language, a conversation between mermaid and patient goes swimmingly.

Family Travels from Australia for Spinal Tumor Expertise

Henry and his family traveled thousands of miles so he could receive specialized care from Dr. George Jallo, who leads the pediatric neurosurgery team, which has world-renowned skill with brain and spinal tumors.

A Boat Anchor Punctures His Skull, Now Caleb is the “Anchorman”

In a freak boating accident, Caleb was struck in the head by an anchor that penetrated his skull. Now Caleb is back to his old self and doing what he loves, fishing and boating.

Amazing Gracie

When Gracie’s fleeting neck pain made for a difficult diagnosis, her pediatrician referred her to Johns Hopkins All Children’s where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and her journey to recovery began.

Researching the Future of Pediatric Stroke Care

How does a pediatric stroke impact a child in the future? Avner Meoded, M.D., pediatric neuroradiologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, is in search of answers.

Bella vs. Brain Tumor

Bella, diagnosed with medulloblastoma, enrolls in a research study and fights back with the help of many teams from the Institute for Brain Protection Sciences.

Fear, Hope and … A Future for Teagan

An injured child and a worried mom find help at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Developing a Neurosurgery Destination

Physicians who refer patients to the neurosurgery team at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital rest easy knowing that their patients don’t just rely on one review of their case—they get four.

Neurosurgeon George Jallo Removes Tricky Tumor From Epilepsy Patient

When no one in South Florida was willing to remove Christina’s brain tumor, her mom found Johns Hopkins All Children’s Institute for Brain Protection Sciences and the neurosurgery team led by George Jallo.

Neurosurgery Across Borders

When no surgeon in Brazil would attempt a difficult spinal cord tumor surgery, the Furtado family turned to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Dr. George Jallo brings a world of knowledge to pediatric neurosurgery

George Jallo, M.D, medical director of the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Institute for Brain Protection Sciences and clinical practice director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, gives a spinal cord surgery presentation to the Sixth Annual World Course in Advanced Brain Tumour Surgery in London.

Helping Children with a Rare Form of Hydrocephaly

Pediatric neurosurgeon Gerald Tuite, M.D., and his colleagues pioneered an approach to extreme macrocephalic hydrocephaly that offers earlier correction, fewer complications and improved appearance

Neurosurgery Robot Brings Hope by Helping Physicians Locate Source of Seizures

Josh Rosario, age 7, has had epilepsy since early childhood. While his disease has improved under the care of pediatric epileptologist Parrish Winesett, M.D., at All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, he still has 50 or more seizures each day. Josh has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a particularly challenging and treatment-resistant form of epilepsy.

Institute for Brain Protection Services