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    Laura L. Hayes, MD

    Medical Imaging
    (407) 650-7715
    Researcher Profile

    Primary Office

    Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida 6535 Nemours Parkway Orlando, FL 32827
    Get Directions
    Appointment: (407) 650-7715

    Other Offices

    Get to Know Me

    Dr. Laura Hayes is board certified in Diagnostic Radiology and Pediatric Radiology, with additional fellowship training in Pediatric Neuroradiology. After working at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for over a decade, Dr. Hayes relocated to her husband’s hometown of Pensacola where she reads locally and remotely for Nemours Children’s Healthcare System and serves as an assistant professor for the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine. Dr. Hayes has authored numerous publications, regularly speaks at annual meetings, chairs the Committee that creates the American Board of Radiology’s certifying examination for pediatric radiology, peer reviews for top pediatric radiology and neuroradiology journals, and is very active in the Society for Pediatric Neuroradiology.    

    Why I Treat Children

    Early life experiences focused my attention on sick children — a sister with epilepsy, a friend with leukemia, and a cousin with hip dysplasia. I was also a patient during my childhood. It always seemed like that was what medicine was all about — making kids feel better so they could just go out and play. For me, pediatric radiology is the most interesting arm of medicine. As a pediatric radiologist, I interpret imaging of fetuses, neonates, infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents. During each of these stages, children’s bodies appear different inside and out and are affected by age-specific diseases. The variety and complexity of each exam is challenging to decipher and makes my job very satisfying. Children, in general, get better and heal quickly. They usually complain a lot less than adults, don’t bring the illnesses on themselves and have a long life ahead of them. I want to help kids get back to their normal childhood. As a parent, I am also very in tune with helping parents and other caregivers.

    What I'm Passionate About

    Doing things the right way, from the start. My mom was a sonographer, and she always spent time with the patient and the radiologist making sure the right diagnosis was made. No cutting corners. If you are going to do it, please do it right.  I’m also passionate about treating people as equals. I was a file clerk in radiology in high school. I had the opportunity to see radiology from many different standpoints. Each person that is involved — patients, caregivers, radiologists, technologists, nurses, secretaries, transporters and janitors. We are a team. It is important to work together.   I’m passionate about staying focused on each patient. Healthcare is difficult to maneuver as a patient, a caregiver and a physician. As a radiologist, I strive to image the patient with the optimal study for the indication; perform the scan the proper way with the least radiation, contrast and anesthesia necessary; interpret the study accurately; and guide the ordering physician to the proper treatment and necessary imaging follow-up. Finally, imaging itself — quality and safety are imperative. I am very passionate about using proper technique and advanced technology when indicated. It bothers me when people say, “But we have always done it this way.” Areas in which I have special medical interest include: Child abuse imaging Pediatric brain and spine tumors Pediatric epilepsy imaging

    How I Try to Make A Difference

    I work hard and treat each child like they are my own.  I’m a life-long learner, and enjoy staying up to date on imaging techniques and the ever-changing and expanding body of medical knowledge. I perform research and author publications. These are some of the most powerful ways to make a difference, as they can affect such a great number of children.   I’m involved in medical societies. For instance, I am the chair of the social media committee for the American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology (ASPNR). We strive to disseminate information and education about pediatric neuroimaging, thus making a global impact. I help in my community. For instance, I work with a local hospital to enrich their pediatric imaging — recently starting a fetal MRI program there so that pregnant mothers don’t have to travel so far for their scans. I also assist with imaging of child abuse for the Gulf Coast Kids House.

    Education & Training

    Fellowship

    • Pediatric Neuroradiology - Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta ScottishRite Campu, 2008
    • Pediatric Radiology - Emory University School of Medicine Program, 2007

    Residency

    • Diagnostic Radiology - Emory University School of Medicine Program, 2006
    • Internal Medicine - Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida Program, 2002

    Medical/Dental School

    • MD - University of Miami, 2001

    Board Certifications

    • American Board of Radiology/Pediatric Radiology
    • American Board of Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology

    Awards & Recognition

    • 2019 Quality & Safety Star Award, Nemours Department of Radiology
    • 2019 Volunteer Service Award, American Board of Radiology
    • 2019 Cum Laude Award, Radiological Society of North America

    Insurance Accepted

    • Aetna Better Health FL Medicaid and Healthy Kids
    • Aetna Better Health PA Kids HMO
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna HMO/POS/PPO/EPO
    • Aetna PPO/EPO/POS
    • Aetna PPO/POS/EPO
    • Alabama Medicaid/Patient First
    • AmeriGroup GA MCAID HMO JAX/GA
    • AmeriGroup GA PeachCare For Kids Jax/GA
    • Amerihealth Caritas DE - PENNSYLVANIA SPECIALISTS ONLY
    • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware
    • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware NJ
    • AmeriHealth Caritas Florida (FKA Prestige Health Choice)
    • AvMed
    • Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO
    • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Non HMO
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Blue Select
    • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS Open Access
    • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS/EPO
    • Cigna & Great West PPO
    • Cigna & Great West PPO/EPO
    • Cigna Lifesource Transplant
    • Cigna/Great West HMO EPO POS
    • Cigna/Great West PPO
    • Community Care Plan Medicaid
    • Delaware First Health
    • Delaware Medicaid/Diamond State
    • Delaware Medicare
    • Devon Health Services
    • Employers Health Network PPO
    • Evolutions Healthcare
    • Fidelis Care NJ Medicaid HMO
    • First Health Aetna PPO/EPO
    • First Health/Affordable PPO
    • Florida Medicaid
    • Florida Medicare
    • Geisinger Health Plan Commercial
    • Georgia Medicaid/Georgia Better Health/Peachcare
    • Global Medical Managment DE/PA
    • Global Medical Mangment NJ
    • Health First Health Plans
    • Health Partners Medicaid/Kidz Partner HMO
    • HealthSmart Health Plans PPO
    • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware
    • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware *PA Loc Contiguous to DE*
    • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware *PA Loc NONContiguous to DE*
    • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pennsylvania
    • Highmark Medicaid Health Options
    • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
    • HUMANA HEALTHY HORIZONS (FKA HUMANA MEDICAID)
    • Humana HMO/POS
    • Humana PPO/EPO
    • Independance Blue Cross/Amerihealth/Keystone Health Plan
    • Insurance Administrators of America
    • INTEGRA Administrative Group (ClaimsBridge)
    • Keystone First Medicaid HMO
    • Lifetrac Transplant
    • Maryland Medicaid
    • Molina Healthcare Medicaid
    • Multiplan PPO
    • National Transplant (Humana)
    • New Jersey Medicaid
    • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO DE/PA
    • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO ORL
    • Pennsylvania Medicaid
    • Plan Vista/NPPN PPO
    • Preferred Healthcare PPO
    • Prime Health Services PPO Specialty Florida
    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)
    • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
    • Qualcare HMO/POS/PPO
    • Seminole Tribe of Florida
    • Simply Healthcare Healthy Kids
    • Simply Healthcare Medicaid HMO
    • Star Healthcare Network
    • Star Healthcare Network
    • Sunshine SMI/CMS 19 & 21
    • Sunshine State Health Plan Medicaid
    • Three Rivers Provider Network
    • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services
    • Truli For Health Pensacola Florida
    • United Healthcare Commercial Products
    • United Healthcare Community Plan Medicaid
    • United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic
    • UPMC MCAID/CHIP PA DE
    • UPMC Medicaid
    • US Family Health Plan
    • Volusia Health Network PPO/EPO
    • Wellpoint Maryland Medcaid

    Research Activities

    My areas of interest in research include:

     

    • Diffusion-weighted imaging of the spine
    • Using new MRI techniques to decrease scan time while retaining quality
    • Improving radiology education in medical school
    • Deciphering true tumor progression from pseudo-progression in patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) (also known as midline glioma)  

    • Krabbe disease; Consultant; (2021).

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    • Pediatric septal dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (sDNT): case-based update; Child's Nervous System; (2020).

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    • Pediatric fibrocartilaginous embolism inducing paralysis; Child's Nervous System; (2020).

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    • ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Scoliosis-Child; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2019).

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    • ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Headache-Child; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2018).

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    • ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Suspected Physical Abuse--Child; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2017).

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    • ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Back Pain--Child; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2017).

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    • The etiology and significance of fractures in infants and young children: a critical multidisciplinary review; Pediatric Radiology; (2016).

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    • Successful Retreatment of a Child with a Refractory Brainstem Ganglioglioma with Vemurafenib; Pediatric Blood and Cancer; (2016).

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    • Diffusion-weighted Imaging Using Readout-segmented EPI Reveals Bony Metastases from Neuroblastoma; Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; (2016).

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    • Acquired pathology of the pediatric spine and spinal cord; Pediatric Radiology; (2015).

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    • ACR appropriateness criteria vomiting in infants up to 3 months of age; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2015).

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    • Opioid overdose in a child: Case report and discussion with emphasis on neurosurgical implications; Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics; (2015).

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    • Neurocognitive improvements following endovascular repair of vein of Galen malformation in a child; Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics; (2015).

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    • The central role of community-practicing pediatricians in contemporary concussion care; Clinical Pediatrics; (2015).

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    • ACR appropriateness criteria head trauma - Child; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2014).

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    • Response of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with spinal cord metastasis to everolimus; Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; (2014).

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    • SPR Child Abuse Committee response regarding classic metaphyseal lesion; American Journal of Roentgenology; (2014).

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    • Prolonged survival after treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma with radiation, temozolamide, and bevacizumab: Report of 2 cases; Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; (2013).

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    • Age association of language task induced deactivation induced in a pediatric population; NeuroImage; (2013).

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    • Neurotoxicant effects on white matter; Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology; (2013).

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    • Response to bevacizumab, irinotecan, and temozolomide in children with relapsed medulloblastoma: A multi-institutional experience; Child's Nervous System; (2013).

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    • Drop metastases to the pediatric spine revealed with diffusion-weighted MR imaging; Pediatric Radiology; (2012).

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    • ACR appropriateness criteria® limping child - Ages 0 to 5 years; Journal of the American College of Radiology; (2012).

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    • White matter damage in asymptomatic patients with sickle cell anemia: Screening with diffusion tensor imaging; American Journal of Neuroradiology; (2012).

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    • Laryngeal and tracheal anomalies in an infant with oral-facial-digital syndrome type VI (Ví¡radi-Papp): Report of a transitional type; Pediatric Radiology; (2008).

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    • Congenital immature teratoma of the central nervous system: Three case reports with literature review; Fetal and Pediatric Pathology; (2007).

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