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Spine and Scoliosis Center
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Patient Stories
Meet a few of our inspiring patients with spinal deformities.
About Spine and Scoliosis Center
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 | Get Map & Directions »
Alicia McCarthy, CPNP-AC, the Spine and Scoliosis Center’s certified pediatric nurse practitioner, examines twins Danielle and Sydney.
We know that spinal deformities (curvatures and problems of the spine) can have a major impact on children’s quality of life — how they function and feel, both inside and out. Conditions like scoliosis can be scary, overwhelming and upsetting for you and your child. We understand — that’s why we’ve devoted our careers to helping kids, like yours, achieve their dreams, whatever they might be.*
When you bring your child to the Spine and Scoliosis Center at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, you can rest assured that you’ll get top-notch care for your child’s spinal deformity. We’re part of one of the largest and most widely respected pediatric orthopedic practices in the country — and the world.
Dr. Peter Gabos and Samantha view her spine images three months after spinal fusion surgery to correct her severe curvature.
Our Team of Experts
Here at duPont Hospital for Children, we have a legacy of excellence in providing general and subspecialty pediatric orthopedic care. Families like yours come from all around the country and the globe to get the very best care for their kids with spinal deformities. In fact, our physicians have been named among the "Best Doctors in America®."
Suken A. Shah, MD
Division Chief, Spine and Scoliosis Center
Specialties: Orthopedics, Orthopedic Surgery, Kyphosis, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease), Scoliosis, Spinal Deformities, Spinal Dysfunction, Spondylolisthesis
Make an Appointment: (302) 651-5913 option 2
Learn More About Dr. Shah »
Peter G. Gabos, MD
Co-Director, Spine and Scoliosis Center
Specialties: Scoliosis, Spina Bifida, Spinal Deformities, Cerebral Palsy, Kyphosis, Orthopedics, Spondylolisthesis
Make an Appointment: (302) 651-5913, option 2
Learn More About Dr. Gabos »
William G. Mackenzie, MD
Department Chair, Department of Orthopedics
Specialties: Skeletal Dysplasia, Kyphosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Neuromuscular Disorders, Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedics, Orthotics, Scoliosis, Spinal Deformities, Limb Length Discrepancy, Spondylolisthesis
Make an Appointment: (302) 651-5913, option 2
Learn More About Dr. Mackenzie »
The Advanced Practice Nurse coordinates all of the appointments and is the point of contact for families and sees all the patients.
Alicia McCarthy
CPNP-AC (certified pediatric nurse practitioner, acute care), RN (registered nurse)
Alicia McCarthy is an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, which means she cares for patients with severe injuries or illnesses, or recovering from surgery. She works closely with other members of the Spine and Scoliosis Center team to help children with spinal deformities throughout their treatment process. Alicia is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the Pediatric Orthopedic Practitioners Society. Her research interests include the effects of scoliosis treatment on activities of daily living, and the impacts of chronic illness on children’s quality of life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of Virginia and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gina Hennessy, CPNP-PC
CPNP-PC (primary care certified pediatric nurse practitioner)
Gina Hennessy is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, which means that she is a nurse with advanced training in caring for children. She works closely with the spine specialists to care for children with spinal deformities throughout their treatment and recovery process. Gina is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Her interests include the adolescent population and effects of spinal deformities and back pain on quality of life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the Villanova University and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from the Thomas Jefferson University.
In addition to our renowned surgeons, our collaborative approach to care offers the combined expertise of our:
- rehabilitation physicians
- physical therapists
- radiologists
- nurses
- orthotists (who fabricate and fit braces and other supports)
- neurophysiologists (who monitor brain activity and nervous system function)
- neurosurgeons
Our Location
Along with expert spinal deformity care, one of the things parents appreciate most is our location at the duPont Hospital for Children with its:
- beautiful campus setting in a park of huge oaks and inviting green lawns
- free parking
- little red wagons available for escorting young children in style
- playground
- gift shop
- cafeteria and café
- on-site pharmacy
- access to every specialist and subspecialist your child might need — all in one place
If your child needs surgical or overnight care in the hospital, we’ll help make your family's experience as easy and stress-free as possible.
Our Research & Education
In addition to offering top-notch patient care, our Spine and Scoliosis Center surgeons are experts in spinal deformity who also:
- Train tomorrow’s surgeons (residents, fellows and visiting surgeons) in advanced spinal deformity correction and instrumentation techniques.
- Actively participate in national and international faculty lectures, presentations and prospective outcomes research aimed at improving care for kids everywhere with spinal deformities. We’re part of the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation, Scoliosis Research Society and the Children's Spine Foundation.
- Work with our Center for Orthopedics Research and Development (CORD) to develop devices and methods that directly impact children all over the world. The Center's efforts are focused within the Pediatric Engineering Research Laboratory (PERL), where we work with biomedical engineers and students to research new devices that can assist and rehabilitate children with neuromuscular disabilities and orthopedic disorders.
* Each child’s surgery is different, and some patients may not be able to perform complex movements or participate in all sporting activities after their procedure. Discuss with your doctor what activities may or may not be permitted after your individual procedure.
Comprehensive Spinal Care for Kids
At the Spine and Scoliosis Center, we're experts in spinal surgery, but we’re also a leader in the non-operative treatment of scoliosis, often using special bracing techniques (including the Wilmington brace, developed right here at the hospital) to help keep spinal curves from getting worse as kids grow.
We offer groundbreaking ultra-low-dose 3-D X-ray techniques to monitor scoliosis and plan for surgery, if necessary. Those are just a few of the reasons why U.S. News & World Report named us one of the “Best Children’s Hospitals” for pediatric orthopedics.
Watch This!
Excellence in Orthopedics
See why families from around the country and the world come to Nemours for their kids' orthopedic care. Watch Video »