The Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital announced its latest advisory board members, who work to provide world-class, innovative neurological care for children in Arizona. 

The BNI at PCH Advisory Board is a group of professionals, and community influencers, representing a variety of key sectors including business, education, finance, health, media, technology and nonprofit organizations, a press release explained.

The advisory board consists of Neil Friedman, MBChB, Brian Cates, Nicole Cates, Vince Fasso, Shauna Gliss, Aviva Gorny, Ciara Hickey, Erika Miller, Shelby Miller, Rory Murphy, MD, Kathleen Norton, Anica Parker, Blair Polachek, Katherine Polachek and Michael Polachek.

Phoenix Children's is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, with the ability to provide dedicated, around-the-clock, neurocritical care to patients with acute brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders, the release explained. 

According to BNI at Phoenix Children’s Director Dr. Neil Friedman, neuroscience advancements have dramatically improved the group’s understanding of brain and nervous system disorders, providing new treatment options.

“Through visionary and sustained philanthropic support, we can transform these breakthroughs and scientific discoveries into groundbreaking therapies poised to profoundly enhance the well-being of our children and their families,” Friedman stated in the release.

With the assistance of the advisory board, which raised $1.7 million in its inaugural year, BNI at Phoenix Children’s remains at the forefront of many of the advancements in pediatric neuroscience. 

Examples of the board's excellence include using gene therapy to treat spinal muscular atrophy and other neurogenetic disorders, providing new hope for survival and pioneering minimally invasive treatment options for epilepsy.

“Being able to assemble this incredible group of people, from so many different areas, including philanthropists, professional athletes, patient families, physicians and activists, has energized our philanthropy in a number of different ways,” Jana Earnest, senior philanthropy officer at Phoenix Children’s Foundation stated in the release. 

To learn about the investment in the future of pediatric neuroscience in Arizona or to donate, visit GiveToPCH.org/BNI.