Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce the selection of Christina Gurnett, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized expert in pediatric and developmental neurology, as its new Chief of the Division of Neurology and Co-Director of the Neuroscience Center. Gurnett began her new role at CHOP on September 1, 2025.
A clinician-scientist with extensive leadership experience at Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Gurnett has led an accomplished career dedicated to advancing care and research for childhood neurological disorders.
“I am honored to join Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” said Gurnett. “I am deeply committed to the neurology community, working alongside CHOP’s dedicated staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.”
CHOP has one of the largest neurology programs globally, treating more than 25,000 children annually for nervous system disorders. The program provides comprehensive clinical care and support services, ensuring that families receive assistance throughout their healthcare journey. The Neuroscience Center features specialized programs such as the Leukodystrophy Center of Excellence, Chiari Malformation Clinic, Movement Disorders and Spasticity, and the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGIN), among others. Conditions treated include 4H leukodystrophy, acute flaccid myelitis, Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, and many more, demonstrating CHOP's expertise in a wide array of neurological issues.
Prior to joining CHOP, Gurnett was Neurologist-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Director of the Division of Pediatric and Developmental Neurology, Department of Neurology, at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), where she also served as the Co-Director of the Precision Medicine Pathway for Graduate Students in the Division of Biology and Biological Sciences. She received an MD, PhD at the University of Iowa, followed by Neurology and Neurophysiology fellowship training at WUSM.
She has been active in neurogenetics research, focusing her efforts on gene discovery for pediatric musculoskeletal disorders, which has resulted in the identification of new genes for clubfoot, arthrogryposis and scoliosis. She also co-led research to evaluate and deliver weekly SARS-CoV-2 surveillance testing to staff and students in schools for children with disabilities in St. Louis County and Baltimore. More recently, Dr. Gurnett has led the multicenter effort of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers to understand rare disease through the National Brain Gene Registry.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Gurnett join CHOP," said Joseph W. St. Geme III, MD, Physician-in-Chief at CHOP. "Dr. Gurnett offers outstanding expertise as a physician and scientist. Her commitment to enhancing patient care and scientific exploration will greatly benefit our patients and our community, helping us push the boundaries of innovation further."
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Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce the selection of Christina Gurnett, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized expert in pediatric and developmental neurology, as its new Chief of the Division of Neurology and Co-Director of the Neuroscience Center. Gurnett began her new role at CHOP on September 1, 2025.
A clinician-scientist with extensive leadership experience at Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Gurnett has led an accomplished career dedicated to advancing care and research for childhood neurological disorders.
“I am honored to join Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” said Gurnett. “I am deeply committed to the neurology community, working alongside CHOP’s dedicated staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.”
CHOP has one of the largest neurology programs globally, treating more than 25,000 children annually for nervous system disorders. The program provides comprehensive clinical care and support services, ensuring that families receive assistance throughout their healthcare journey. The Neuroscience Center features specialized programs such as the Leukodystrophy Center of Excellence, Chiari Malformation Clinic, Movement Disorders and Spasticity, and the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGIN), among others. Conditions treated include 4H leukodystrophy, acute flaccid myelitis, Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, and many more, demonstrating CHOP's expertise in a wide array of neurological issues.
Prior to joining CHOP, Gurnett was Neurologist-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Director of the Division of Pediatric and Developmental Neurology, Department of Neurology, at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), where she also served as the Co-Director of the Precision Medicine Pathway for Graduate Students in the Division of Biology and Biological Sciences. She received an MD, PhD at the University of Iowa, followed by Neurology and Neurophysiology fellowship training at WUSM.
She has been active in neurogenetics research, focusing her efforts on gene discovery for pediatric musculoskeletal disorders, which has resulted in the identification of new genes for clubfoot, arthrogryposis and scoliosis. She also co-led research to evaluate and deliver weekly SARS-CoV-2 surveillance testing to staff and students in schools for children with disabilities in St. Louis County and Baltimore. More recently, Dr. Gurnett has led the multicenter effort of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers to understand rare disease through the National Brain Gene Registry.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Gurnett join CHOP," said Joseph W. St. Geme III, MD, Physician-in-Chief at CHOP. "Dr. Gurnett offers outstanding expertise as a physician and scientist. Her commitment to enhancing patient care and scientific exploration will greatly benefit our patients and our community, helping us push the boundaries of innovation further."
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Jennifer Lee
Division of Neurology