CHOC is excited to welcome pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Suresh Magge as co-medical director of the CHOC Neuroscience Institute and neurosurgery medical director for CHOC, bringing a wealth of expertise that will continue to advance the institute as a leading destination for care.
Dr. Magge will bring clinical experience, innovation and the latest techniques to CHOC, following an 11-year tenure at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he started the medical center’s neurosurgery fellowship training program and was the director of medical student education in pediatric neurosurgery.
“My approach is to meld the latest in clinical medicine and research to find the best treatment for each child,” Dr. Magge says. “I always try to use a patient-centered approach, using precision medicine to perform the most minimally-invasive surgery possible.”
While Dr. Magge has a wide-ranging clinical practice, his special clinical and research interests include brain and spinal tumors, especially diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas; minimally invasive craniosynostosis surgery; and pediatric neurovascular disease, including arteriovenous malformation and Moyamoya disease.
Craniosynostosis refers to the premature fusion of the skull, causing problems with skull growth. During his time at Children’s National Hospital, Dr. Magge started the region’s first minimally invasive craniosynostosis program – something he is looking forward to expanding at CHOC.
“This condition used to require a large surgery in which the surgeon would take apart the skull and put it back together,” Dr. Magge says. “Kids generally do well after the surgery, but it is quite invasive. Now we can do a less invasive surgery that uses minimally invasive techniques that is shorter, involves less blood loss, and quicker surgical recovery. This is an alternative that I’m excited to expand here.”
He also looks forward to contributing to the growth of CHOC’s brain tumor program, neurovascular program, epilepsy program, robotic surgeries and more.
Even as a child, Dr. Magge was fascinated with science. He loved everything from chemistry to biology, but it was ultimately the concept of using science to help people that drew him to medicine.
After graduating from Harvard Medical School, during which he completed the Howard Hughes Research Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Magge completed his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania.
He found that pediatric neurosurgery was his life’s calling, and he then completed a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Boston Children’s Hospital. He has since been in practice at Children’s National Hospital before coming to CHOC.
“Neurosurgery has advanced tremendously over the years through research and innovation,” he says. “Through surgery, we can alleviate suffering and have a significant impact on the lives of children.”
Pediatric neurosurgery allows Dr. Magge to combine his love of science with helping children and families through their toughest times.
“When parents hear that their child needs neurosurgery, it’s a very traumatic time,” he says. “We try to take a personalized approach and take parents through this process in the most compassionate way possible.”
Dr. Magge is excited about the growth of CHOC’s neurosurgery division and neuroscience institute. He says that the strength of the Neuroscience Institute comes from the collaboration of different neurological providers within one institute.
He joins an expert team of neurosurgeons, including Dr. Michael Muhonen, former co-medical director of the Neuroscience and former neurosurgery medical director, whose numerous contributions in the role made an invaluable impact on children and families. Dr. Muhonen will remain in active clinical practice at CHOC, with an increased focus on hydrocephalus clinical care, research and new technology design.
The neurosurgery division also includes Dr. William Loudon, who has years of experience in pediatric neurosurgery and brain tumor research, and Dr. Joffre Olaya, who specializes in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery.
“We have four highly trained, highly respected pediatric neurosurgeons with many years of experience,” Dr. Magge says. “Each surgeon brings a wealth of experience and a personalized approach.”
Dr. Magge plans to advance the path of the Neuroscience Institute toward becoming a world-class destination for neurological care. He plans to expand neuroscience research programs, saying that the ultimate goal is to cure neurologic disease through research, as well as to educate future pediatric neurosurgeons in partnership with UC Irvine.
Further, Dr. Magge’s appointment coincides with significant infrastructure changes underway at the Neuroscience Institute: CHOC recently opened its new state-of-the-art outpatient center, establishing a clinical hub for caregivers to serve patients and families in a centralized location. Additionally, plans are underway to expand the hospital’s inpatient neuroscience unit.
Throughout Dr. Magge’s years of neurosurgery, he has learned about resiliency from his patients. “I am constantly inspired by the strength and perseverance that patients and families show in the face of adversity.”
A parent himself, Dr. Magge enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons. Together, they ride bikes, play sports, hike and travel – especially to national parks. A competitive tennis player growing up, he still likes to play tennis when he can and also enjoys dabbling in photography.
