Spina Bifida (Myelodysplasia) Program

Clinician biographies

Our physicians

• Nedda M. Hobbs, MD, is the medical director of the Boston Children's Hospital Spina Bifida Program and associate director of Children's Complex Care Services. Hobbs specializes in treating spina bifida, autism and pervasive developmental disorders and severe developmental disabilities. Her research focuses on complexities of care in children with spina bifida and other neurological conditions, and she is an assistant professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

• Michelle A. Baum, MD, is a member of Children's Division of Nephrology. She specializes in treating children with spina bifida, kidney stones and other nephrological issues. Baum is an assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
   

Our surgeons

• Carlos R. Estrada, Jr., MD, is the surgical director of Children's Spina Bifida Program and a member of the Department of Urology. Estrada completed his fellowship at Children's and joined the faculty here in 2006. His research interests include bladder regeneration, tissue engineering and embryonic stem cell biology. He is an assistant professor of Urological Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

• Stuart B. Bauer, MD, is associate director of Children's Neurourology Program and a member of the Department of Urology. Bauer has specialized in pediatric urology and urological surgery for more than 40 years, and is engaged in research centered on bladder function in neurologically impaired children. He is also a professor of Urological Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
   
• Joseph G. Borer, MD, is the co-director of Children's Center for Robotic and Minimally Invasive Reconstructive Surgery and director of our Center for Bladder Exstrophy Care and Neurourology Program. Borer's research focuses on bladder physiology and function and reconstructive pediatric urology. He completed his fellowship at Children's and joined our faculty in 1998. Borer is an assistant professor of Urological Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
   
• Lawrence Ira Karlin, MD,is an orthopedic surgeon who also supports Children's Neuromotor Therapy Program, Orthopedic Trauma Program and Spinal Program. He completed his surgical fellowship at Children's and has treated pediatric surgery patients for nearly 30 years. Karlin's research interests include spinal deformities and improving the quality of life of children with musculoskeletal disorders. He is an assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

• Benjamin C. Warf, MD, began his career as the first pediatric neurosurgery fellow at Children's. Director of Children’s Neonatal and Congenital Anomaly Neurosurgery, he is one of the world’s foremost practitioners of the endoscopic third ventriculostomy procedure to replace the use of shunts in children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Warf is committed to introducing this minimally invasive procedure in developing nations, where children's access to aftercare is severely limited, and travels regularly to Africa to train pediatric neurosurgeons there. In addition to hydrocephalus and spina bifida, Warf is also an expert in treating cerebral palsy and tethered spinal cord syndrome. He is an associate professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School.

• Seymour Zimbler, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with more than 40 years of experience in treating children with multiple musculoskeletal disorders and deformities. He specializes in surgical techniques and orthotic therapies that address gait issues, spinal deformities and other issues inherent to spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Zimbler is also an assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
   

Our nursing professionals

• Rebecca L. Sherlock, MSN, PNP, is a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in treating children with spina bifida and other neuromuscular conditions.
   
• Elizabeth Tannebring, CPNP, is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner whose specialties include spina bifida, chronic illness and developmental and behavioral pediatrics.
   

Our allied health professionals

• Maria Carvalho, MSW, LICSW,is a social worker who provides counseling and other support services for children with spina bifida and their families.
   
• Julia O'Connell Hunter, PT,is a physical therapist who works with spina bifida patients to improve their motor skills, coordination and mobility.
   
• Jennifer Turek Queally, PhD, is a neuropsychologist who supports our children with spina bifida and their families. She also treats patients in Children's Brain Tumor Program, Neuropsychology Program and Psychosocial Therapy Clinic. Queally is an instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School.