| Staff Directory |
Richard Adams, M.D.
Pediatric Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Adams is the medical director of Pediatric Developmental Disabilities at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and clinical associate professor of pediatrics at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport, completed his pediatric residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and a clinical fellowship in developmental disabilities at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. Dr. Adams is board certified through the American Board of Pediatrics in two sub-specialties: neurodevelopmental disabilities and developmental-behavioral pediatrics. He is a governor-appointed member of both the Texas Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention and the Texas Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Dr. Adams is a member of the Camp John Marc Advisory Board, and for 18 years, he has served as the medical director of “Camp TLC,” an annual camp for 100 youth with spina bifida. Having served as chairman of the Committee on Children with Disabilities for the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Texas Pediatric Society) for a decade, he was recently named “Chair Emeritus” of the committee and continues to work with Texas state agencies on behalf of children with special needs. He was named 2002 “Child Advocate of the Year” by the Greater Texas Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Adams was the 2009 recipient of a Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics for his work on behalf of quality outcome measures for children with special needs across the State of Texas. In addition to clinical and teaching activities, Dr. Adams has published widely in the field of developmental disabilities based on his clinical research efforts at TSRHC.
Office: (214) 559-7855 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7855
Nurse Coordinator: (214) 559-7536 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7536
Jeffrey Black, M.D.
Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders
Dr. Jeffrey Black is the medical director of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He has held faculty positions with the departments of pediatrics at the University of Maryland, the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of California at San Diego. He practiced general pediatrics part time in Baltimore and taught ambulatory pediatrics at MUSC. While at UCSD, he was director of pediatric primary care and director of the Learning Evaluation Center. He has been a member of the editorial board of the Journal of School Health and is a reviewer of publications for Pediatrics and the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. His publications cover topics ranging from children’s reaction to divorce, AIDS education, pediatric residency training, learning disorders, academic achievement, school readiness, subtypes of arithmetic disabilities and efficacy of dyslexia intervention. He has been the recipient of the Outstanding MSLE Professional Award from the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council and has been recognized by D Magazine as one of the best pediatric subspecialists.
Office: (214) 559-7817 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7817
Mauricio Delgado, M.D.
Neurology
Dr. Mauricio R. Delgado is director of neurology at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and professor of neurology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He received his medical degree from the University of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. He did his internship in pediatrics and neurology at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. He received certification in neurology with special competence in child neurology and neurophysiology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Delgado is a Fellow in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. As a clinician, he specializes in neurorehabilitation of children with motor disorders of central origin and neurogenetic disorders such as holoprosencephaly and tuberous sclerosis complex.
Office: (214) 559-7831 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7831
Molly Dempsey-Robertson, M.D.
Radiology
Dr. Molly Dempsey-Robertson is the medical director of Radiology at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. She received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University, and her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Dempsey-Robertson completed her internal medicine internship at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California, and her residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of California Los Angeles – Harbor Medical Center. She was a pediatric radiology fellow at Children’s Hospital Boston and junior faculty at Harvard Medical School. She is board certified in diagnostic radiology and maintains a certificate of added qualification in pediatric radiology by the American Board of Radiology. She has a volunteer faculty appointment at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She is a member of the American Roentgen Ray Society, the American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology, the Radiological Society of North America, Society of Chairmen of Radiology at Children’s Hospitals, the Society for Pediatric Radiology and the Society of Skeletal Radiology.
Office: (214) 559-8489 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 8489
Departmental Secretary: (214) 559-7450 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7450
Marilynn Punaro, M.D.
Rheumatology
Dr. Lynn Punaro is the medical director of the pediatric rheumatology service at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. She received her medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. She completed her fellowship training in pediatric rheumatology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Punaro is a professor of pediatrics, division director for pediatric rheumatology and program director for the pediatric rheumatology training program at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She is board certified in pediatric rheumatology and a fellow of the American College of Rheumatology. She has been listed in the Best Doctors in America.
Office: (214) 559-7857 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7857
Nurse Coordinator: (214) 559-7538 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7538
Fay Safavi, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Fay Safavi has served as the director of anesthesiology and pain management at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 1993. She received her medical education from Guy's Hospital Medical School, The University of London, and is a board-certified equivalent Fellow, Faculty of Anaesthetists, The Royal College of Surgeons of England. Dr. Safavi serves as a professor in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Her professional memberships include the Society of Pediatric Anesthesiologists; American Society of Anesthesiology; Texas Society of Anesthesiologists; American Medical Association; Texas Medical Association; and the International Anesthesia Research Society.
Office: (214) 559-7520 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7520
Marsha Carpenter, M.D., F.A.A.P
Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders
Dr. Marsha Carpenter is a staff developmental pediatrician at the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at TSRHC where she serves on the multidisciplinary team that provides evaluation and consultation for children with learning disorders. She directs an annual physicians’ conference “Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics for Primary Care” and coordinates the pediatric resident rotations in the Center for Dyslexia. Dr. Carpenter is a clinical instructor of pediatrics at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and associate staff at Children's Medical Center Dallas. She earned her medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Michigan. Dr. Carpenter is board certified in pediatrics and subspecialty board certified in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, both by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a member of the Society for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Texas Pediatric Society Committees on Children’s Mental Health and Children with Disabilities.
Office: (214) 559-7815 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7815
Magda Girgis, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Magda Girgis is a staff anesthesiologist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 1996. Dr. Girgis is an associate professor in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She received her medical degree and completed a residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Girgis also completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Her professional memberships include the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiologists and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Office: (214) 559-7520 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7520
Gail Hackney, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Gail Hackney is a staff anesthesiologist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 1996. Dr. Hackney is an assistant professor in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She received her medical degree from University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed residencies in anesthesiology at Vanderbilt School of Medicine and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her professional memberships include the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiologists and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Office: (214) 559-7520 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7520
Vennecia Jackson, M.D.
Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders
Dr. Vennecia Jackson is director of diagnostic services at the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and staff developmental pediatrician since 1994. She received her medical degree from the East Carolina University School of Medicine and completed a pediatric residency and developmental pediatrics fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia. She is a member of the Dallas County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, International Dyslexia Association, Learning Disabilities Association of Texas and Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Office: (214) 559-7815 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7815
Cindy Kelly, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Cindy Kelly is a staff anesthesiologist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 1997. Dr. Kelly is an associate professor in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She received her medical degree and completed a residency in anesthesiology from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. Her professional memberships include the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiologists and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Office: (214) 559-7520 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7520
Steven Sparagana, M.D.
Neurology
Dr. Steven Sparagana is director of neurophysiology, director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Clinic and staff pediatric neurologist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 1994. He is an assistant professor in the department of neurology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Sparagana received his medical education from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, completed a pediatric residency at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, a pediatric neurology fellowship at Children’s Medical Center Dallas and a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at UT Southwestern. He has board certification in neurology with special qualification in child neurology, a clinical neurophysiology subspecialty and neurodevelopmental disabilities subspecialty from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. His professional memberships include the American Academy of Neurology, Child Neurology Society and Epilepsy Foundation, and he is on the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation Dallas/Fort Worth and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. Dr. Sparagana is also on the editorial board of the Journal of Child Neurology and Pediatric Neurology.
Office: (214) 559-7828 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7828
Tanisha Toaston, D.O.
Pediatric Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Tanisha Toaston is an attending physician in Pediatric Developmental Disabilities at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she received her undergraduate biology degree Magna Cum Laude at Prairie View A & M University and attended medical school at Michigan State University-College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSU-COM). Dr. Toaston completed her residency in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor University Medical Center Dallas and completed a fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Dallas Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Toaston is board certified in the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation, and she is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, National Osteopathic Medical Association, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Medical Association, Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
Office: (214) 559-7857 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7857
Nurse Coordinator: (214) 559-7536 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7536
Jean Wall, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Jean Wall is a staff anesthesiologist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 2006. Dr. Wall is an assistant professor in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She received her medical degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio and completed a clinical research fellowship and residency in anesthesiology at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Her professional memberships include the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiologists and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Office: (214) 559-7520 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7520
David Wilkes, M.D.
Radiology
Dr. David Wilkes is a staff radiologist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 1997. He is a clinical assistant professor in the department of radiology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Wilkes received his medical degree from Duke University and completed a residency in diagnostic radiology from The University of Texas Health Science Center and a fellowship in pediatric radiology at Children’s Hospital Boston. His professional memberships include the Radiological Society of North America, American Roentgen Ray Society and the Society of Pediatric Radiology.
Office: (214) 559-7540 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7540
Cynthia Woerz, M.D.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Cynthia Woerz is a staff anesthesiologist and director of the acute pain management service at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children since 2001. Dr. Woerz is an assistant professor in the department of anesthesiology and pain management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She received her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed a residency in pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital at Greenville Memorial and a residency in anesthesiology at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. Dr. Woerz is board certified by both the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Anesthesiologists. Her professional memberships include the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Society for Pediatric Anesthesia and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Office: (214) 559-7520 or (800) 421-1121, ext. 7520