Marissa M. Vawter-Lee, MD

I’m a pediatric neurologist who cares for children in the hospital. I divide my time between our inpatient unit, consulting in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) and caring for patients in outpatient clinics that focus on children under age 2. My nurses and I work together to provide the best care possible for our families.

As a child, I spent a lot of time at doctor’s appointments, which helped me understand the impact a kind doctor can have on a child and family. I was drawn to child neurology by the longitudinal nature of the specialty and the ability to form long-term relationships with families, which led to my fellowship year in fetal and neonatal neurology. I love meeting families of fetal patients or newborns and being part of their journey with a disease or brain malformation. It's an honor to help families and to watch children grow up.

I enjoy sitting with families in clinic and listening to parents, who I truly believe are a child's best advocate. I try to focus on what parents' concerns are, to make sure I address them and to fully understand their child's issues.

I was honored to receive the 2019 M. Harold Fogelson, MD, Teaching Award given from the graduating child neurology residents to the person they voted as the best resident teacher.

When I’m not helping patients, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, watching movies and reading books. I'm an avid science fiction fan with a deep love for Star Wars.