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Scottish Rite For Children Neurologist Steven Sparagana Honored With Legacy Fund

Scottish Rite For Children Neurologist Steven Sparagana Honored With Legacy Fund

by | May 21, 2024 | Research & Innovation

SCOTTISH RITE FOR CHILDREN NEUROLOGIST STEVEN SPARAGANA HONORED WITH LEGACY FUND
Fund will support tuberous sclerosis complex research
 
May 17, 2024 – The TSC Alliance® announced it has established the Steven Sparagana Legacy Fund to honor the upcoming retirement of Steven Sparagana, M.D., who served as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Clinic Director at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas for 24 years and as a professor in the department of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
 
Tuberous sclerosis complex is a rare genetic disease that affects people at all stages of life. TSC causes tumors to grow in different organs and can impair their function, primarily the brain, heart, kidneys, skin, eyes and lungs. Nearly one million people worldwide are estimated to be living with TSC, with approximately 50,000 in the United States. Although there is no cure, there is hope. Research has proven that early diagnosis and intervention(s) are key for optimizing long-term outcomes. Advancements in research continue to deliver new and improved therapeutic options.
 
Steven Sparagana, M.D., with patients Gabby and Izzy, age 7, at an appointment for their ongoing treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex.
“The TSC Alliance is thrilled to create this fund to recognize Dr. Sparagana’s multiple contributions to TSC clinical care and research,” said Kari Luther Rosbeck, TSC Alliance President & CEO. “He also served on our organization’s Professional Advisory Board, and his early research helped create the TSC Natural History Database, which captures patient data to document the impact of the disease on a person’s health over his or her lifetime. The database now houses information on more than 2,600 people with TSC. His impact on the TSC community has been tremendous.”
 
In 2004, Dr. Sparagana’s original $141,307 grant from the TSC Research Program at the U.S. Department of Defense was the genesis of the TSC Natural History Database. He has since served as a member of the TSC Alliance’s Natural History Database/Biosample Repository Steering Committee, and Scottish Rite for Children was one of the original pilot sites for the database. His impact, particularly as it pertains to the Natural History Database and pivotal clinical trials, has been instrumental in improving the quality of life for individuals with TSC.
 
“Dr. Sparagana’s forward-thinking vision coupled with his kind and collaborative style enabled him to be a contributor and leader of multiple clinical research projects,” said Steven L. Roberds, PhD, TSC Alliance Chief Scientific Officer. “Additionally, in 2012, he chaired the development of a new section of TSC clinical consensus guidelines focused on the importance of integration of care to treat the ‘whole person’ living with TSC.”
 
The Steven Sparagana Legacy Fund will provide an ongoing source of revenue in support of the Natural History Database and Biosample Repository as a tribute to his contributions to the creation and ongoing success of these invaluable tools. Supporters can easily contribute online.
 
“I am grateful to the TSC Alliance for this honor. It has been a privilege to serve children, families and the community affected by tuberous sclerosis complex,” said Dr. Sparagana. “The Natural History Database and Biosample Repository have provided substantial contributions to TSC basic science and clinical research, and I wholeheartedly support these important endeavors. I am also thankful to Scottish Rite for Children, which has generously supported the hospital’s TSC Clinic for more than 30 years.”

Pediatric Neurology at Scottish Rite for Children

Pediatric Neurology at Scottish Rite for Children

by | Mar 22, 2023 | Neurology

As an institution dedicated to giving children back their childhood, our experts provide a full spectrum of care to make sure all aspects of a condition are treated. Whether common or complex, many of the orthopedic diagnoses seen by our team have other associated conditions which require treatment.

Experts from our Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine department see children who have various neurological disorders and neuromuscular diseases. Although each condition varies when it comes to its severity, every child seen by this team receives world-renowned care with the ultimate goal of helping them live a more independent life. Learn more about pediatric neurology below.

What is pediatric neurology? 
Pediatric neurology is the treatment of conditions that affect the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. This can include disorders such as migraines, epilepsy, developmental delay and neuromuscular conditions.

Meet the Experts
Michelle R. Christie, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist  
Christie sees all neurologic conditions with a focus on Charcot Marie Tooth, holoprosencephaly and hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Fabiola I. Reyes, M.D.
Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician
Reyes provides care to patients who have trouble with motor control.

Common Conditions Treated by the Team

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Epilepsy
  • Migraines
  • Developmental delay
  • Congenital birth defects of the nervous system
  • Genetic diseases of the nervous system
  • Neuromuscular disorders including myopathies, Charcot Marie tooth, brachial plexopathies and traumatic nerve injury
  • Tuberous sclerosis
  • Holoprosencephaly
  • Hereditary spastic paraplegia

Multidisciplinary Approach to Care
The Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine department includes staff from various areas of specialty. This helps to ensure that no matter what a child may need, we have an expert to provide the best treatment options for any aspect of the condition. Patients seen by our Neurology experts may also interact with advanced practice providers (APP), nurses, pediatric psychologists, recreational therapists, orthotics, and physical and occupational therapy.

Get to Know our Staff: Steven Sparagana, M.D.

Get to Know our Staff: Steven Sparagana, M.D.

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Neurology

Where did you go to college? Medical school? 
I spent two years at Georgetown University in Washington, DC prior to trekking to Texas to attend Texas A&M University. For medical school, I trained at UT Health San Antonio. Given that I attended both A&M (thumb up sign) and UT (hook ‘em horns sign), I have comfortably joined them, and now use the hang loose sign!  One could also easily argue that I also have the right to use the “I love you sign”!

What role does the Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine department play at Scottish Rite for Children?  
Many of the children with orthopedic problems have underlying neurological causes or complications. Our team is involved in diagnosing and treating these neurological and neuromuscular conditions.  

What are your specialties?
I serve as the director of neurophysiology, director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Clinic and medical director of neurology and rehabilitation medicine. Some of my specialties include child neurology with subspecialty certification in clinical neurophysiology and in neurodevelopmental disabilities. I have a special interest in epilepsy, neurogenetic disorders (for example, tuberous sclerosis complex) and in clinical neurophysiology (EEG, nerve conduction studies with electromyography, and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring).

Why did you want to become a doctor? Have you always wanted to work in pediatrics?  
As a youth, I was intrigued by the brain and human behavior, and this interest persisted in college where I managed to study a lot of philosophy before becoming interested in neuroscience. Prior to medical school, I also took an interest in developmental biology (think metamorphosis of insects), which ultimately led me to pediatric neurology—merging development, the brain and kids.

What led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you been here?  
I first came to Scottish Rite as a child neurology resident during my training at Children’s Health (then known as Children’s Medical Center) and UT Southwestern. I have been employed here 26 year(s), 8 month(s), 0 day(s) —but who is counting when you’re having so much fun!

Is there a special referral process for patients to be seen by our experts in the Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine department?
The vast majority of our patients are referred from the numerous orthopedists, and a few are referred from our colleagues in Pediatric Developmental Disabilities and Rheumatology. There are a couple of diagnoses where children come in by direct referral (for example, tuberous sclerosis complex, holoprosencephaly and hereditary spastic paraparesis).

How do you help your patients feel comfortable and confident?
Smiles, humor, being NICE to them and setting the parents/caregivers at ease.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?  
The culture of kid and family-centered care, and the “can do/will do” attitude of everyone from the medical teams, to all the support teams, to Mr. Bob Walker and his super team! 

What was your first job?
Slinging ice cream at Friendly’s in Webster, NY (Where Life is Worth Living!). 

What’s your favorite place to eat around here? 
In the Dallas area, my favorite restaurant is Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill along with sister restaurant, Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House—both in Addison. Wonderful food and service (for example, Copper River Salmon—when in season)! My family often celebrates major life events there.