Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital offers expert second opinions for pediatric epilepsy and brain tumors, led by nationally recognized specialists Dr. James Wheless, Dr. Sarah Weatherspoon, Dr. Paul Klimo, and Dr. Nir Shimony. Our team provides advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments and compassionate care to help families make informed decisions and find the best path forward.
Give us a call at 1-866-5570, email us at info@lebonheur.org or fill out the form below if you would like a second opinion on your child’s recent neurological diagnosis.
Epilepsy Care with Dr. James Wheless and Dr. Sarah Weatherspoon
When your child is facing seizures or a complex epilepsy diagnosis, a second opinion can offer clarity and confidence. At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, our Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, led by internationally recognized pediatric neurologists Dr. James Wheless and Dr. Sarah Weatherspoon, provides advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Dr. Wheless is the co-director of the Neuroscience Institute and chief of Pediatric Neurology at Le Bonheur, with decades of experience in treating childhood epilepsy, including rare and drug-resistant forms.
Dr. Weatherspoon is the associate chief of Pediatric Neurology and co-director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Center of Excellence at Le Bonheur. Her clinical areas of special interest include epilepsy in infants and epilepsy surgery.
Their team specializes in:
- Advanced neuroimaging and diagnostics, including magnetoencephalography (MEG), stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), and functional brain mapping
- Innovative therapies such as the ketogenic diet, device-based treatments including vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) and other epilepsy surgeries
- Multidisciplinary care for conditions like tuberous sclerosis complex and Dravet syndrome
- Access to clinical trials from Le Bonheur’s epilepsy experts, who have contributed to the development of every FDA-approved epilepsy drug in the past 30 years and continue to lead clinical trials for promising new treatments.
Families from across the country turn to Dr. Wheless, Dr. Weatherspoon and their team for second opinions that can lead to life-changing outcomes.
Brain Tumor Expertise with Dr. Paul Klimo and Dr. Nir Shimony
When a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor, every decision matters. Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Semmes Murphey Clinic, PC, offers one of the nation’s highest-volume Pediatric Brain Tumor Programs — providing expert second opinions from renowned neurosurgeons Dr. Paul Klimo and Dr. Nir Shimony.
Dr. Paul Klimo, chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery and co-director of the Neuroscience Institute, brings unmatched experience in complex brain and spinal cord tumor surgeries. With a background in both military and academic medicine, Dr. Klimo is recognized for tackling the most complicated cases and delivering compassionate, family-centered care.
Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Nir Shimony specializes in minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, including keyhole and endoscopic approaches. His expertise in tumors of the brain, brainstem and spinal cord ensures that children receive the most precise and least invasive care possible.
Together, Drs. Klimo and Shimony lead a collaborative, research-driven team that partners closely with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, offering access to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials.
Why Choose Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Institute for a Second Opinion?
- Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report
- Level IV Epilepsy Center NAEC Rating
- Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program (ACS CSV)
- Access to multidisciplinary teams and state-of-the-art technology
- Personalized care plans focused on your child’s long-term quality of life
- A compassionate approach that supports families every step of the way
- 10-bed designated Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
Give us a call at 1-866-5570, email us at info@lebonheur.org or fill out the form below if you would like a second opinion on your child’s recent neurological diagnosis.
