Neurology
Helping children cope with their neurological disorders
The Division of Neurology of the Department of Pediatrics is dedicated to supporting children with a variety of nervous system and muscle disorders. We do this by offering a combination of clinical and teaching activities and research.
Clinical activities
The Division of Pediatric Neurology has a longstanding commitment to the care of Atlantic Canadian children with neurological disorders like:
- epilepsy (seizures)
- headaches
- muscle and nerve diseases
- cerebral palsy
- concussions
- Tourette syndrome
- movement disorders
- complex neurologically-based learning and attention disorders
- other neurological conditions of childhood
We see our patients through the IWK Health Centre and in a number of outreach clinics scattered throughout the Maritimes. We also provide around-the-clock emergency services in consultation with our patients' other physicians.
Teaching activities
In the Division of Neurology, our members are actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, continuing medical education and public education.
In addition to hosting Canadian and international elective students and residents, we also offer fellowship opportunities and a Royal College-accredited resident training program.
Pediatric Neurology at Dalhousie University is a Royal College-accredited specialty residency program that offers a three-year training pathway for residents with previous Pediatrics training. Although Pediatric Neurology is recognized by the Royal College as a specialty rather than a subspecialty, residents typically enter the program through the Pediatric Subspecialty CaRMS match and therefore generally enter following completion of four years of Pediatrics residency. When available, the Pediatric resident may also pursue alternate funding routes providing resident positions are available.
Research interests
We place a considerable amount of emphasis on the importance clinical research in pediatric neurological disorders. A few of our research methodological strengths include:
- Analysis of national databases
- Internet-based research
- Cannabinoid research
Our people
- Paula Brna, MD, FRCPC
- Elaine Choi, MD, MSc, FRCPC
- Richard Huntsman, MD, FRCPC
- Jonathan Smith, MD, FRCPC
Post-retired faculty
- Ellen Wood, MD, MSc, FRCPC (Professor Emeritus)
General contact info
Phone: 902-470-8471
Fax: 902-470-8486
Education program contact info
Program Director: Dr. Paula Brna
Pbrna@dal.ca
902-470-2614
Program Administrator: Stephanie Maidment
Stephanie.maidment@iwk.nshealth.ca
902-470-8475
Resident: Dr. Dax Bourcier
Dax.bourcier@iwk.nshealth.ca
Address:
Division of Pediatric Neurology
IWK Health Centre
5850/5980 University Avenue
Halifax, NS
B3K 6R8