About Kara S. Lewis, MD
Kara S. Lewis, MD, is a pediatric neurologist and medical director of Fetal Neurology at the Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's. Dr. Lewis has extensive training in the field of pediatric and fetal neurology. She is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of neurologic conditions that affect children, including headaches and migraines, as well as cerebral palsy and other conditions that develop before and after birth. Dr. Lewis is regularly honored as a Top Doctor by PHOENIXMagazine.
A native of the Phoenix area, Dr. Lewis has called Arizona home since returning for medical school. She joined the Phoenix Children's team when a joint program was developed with Barrow Neurological Institute in June 2011. She is proud of the clinical care, education, research and advocacy services that she and her colleagues provide for their patients. Dr. Lewis enjoys the puzzle-solving challenge of managing each patient's neurological condition.
Dr. Lewis earned her undergraduate degree from Pomona College in Claremont, California, and her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. She completed her postgraduate training in Phoenix, Arizona, including her residency in pediatrics at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, along with a fellowship in child neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Lewis is board certified in neurology, with a special qualification in child neurology, in addition to subspecialty board certification in headache medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society, as well as a member of Professors of Child Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, the Southern Pediatric Neurology Society and CACTI (Consortium of Arizona Cephalalogists, Teachers and Investigators). She is a national speaker, and her research has appeared in peer-reviewed publications including Current Pain and Headache Reports, Pediatrics in Review, Frontiers in Neurology and Neurology Genetics.
Dr. Lewis's approach to patient care is led by her belief in listening to and respecting her patients and their caregivers, as well as continuous learning. She fosters the intellectual curiosity that has guided her career and the empathy needed to care for children with complex conditions. Dr. Lewis is a member of the national Make-A-Wish America medical advisory board, which has given her the chance to travel and meet people from a wide range of medical fields with the goal of caring for children with life-threatening conditions.
When she isn't at work, Dr. Lewis enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, enjoying the beach, hiking, golfing, watching live theater, reading and cheering on her favorite college basketball teams.
Medical School / Education
University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Residency
(Pediatrics) St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
Fellowship
(Pediatric Neurology) Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
Headache Medicine, United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
Pediatric Neurology
Top Doctor Recipient, PHOENIX magazine
Academic Affiliations
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Professional Affiliations
Fellow, American Headache Society
Fellow, American Academy of Neurology
Member, Child Neurology Society
Member, Professors of Child Neurology
Member, Southern Pediatric Neurology Society
Member, Consortium of Arizona Cephalalogists, Teachers and Investigators (CACTI)
Rastogi RG, Evans R, Hastriter EV, Hickman C, Karnik KT, Lewis KS, Little RD. Advances in the Acute and Preventative Treatment of Pediatric Migraines. Current Pain and Headache Reports. (Accepted July 17, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01157-8.
Rastogi RG, Arnold TL, Borrero-Mejias C, Hastriter EV, Hickman C, Karnik KT, Lewis KS, Little RD. Non-pharmacologic and Mindful-based Approaches for Pediatric Headache Disorders: A Review. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2021 Dec 11;25(12):78. doi: 10.1007/s11916-021-00993-w. PMID: 34894314.
Sukhina AS, Oatman OJ, Lewis KS, Thomas TC, Brown D, Rowe RK, Adelson PD, Lifshitz J. Failure to Thrive in a 15-month-old with a History of Head Trauma. Pediatr Rev. 2021 Jan;42(Suppl 1):S55-S59. doi: 10.1542/pir.2018-0069. PMID: 33386363.
Ortiz JB, Sukhina A, Balkan B, Harootunian G, Adelson PD, Lewis KS, Oatman O, Subbian V, Rowe RK and Lifshitz J (2020) Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury and Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorders in Arizona. Front. Neurol. 10:1410. PubMed ID 32038466.
Gauquelin L, Cayami FK, Sztriha L, Lewis K, Bernard K, et al. Clinical spectrum of POLR3-related leukodystrophy caused by biallelic POLR1C pathogenic variants. Neurol Genet 2019;5. PubMed ID 32042905.
Rating & Reviews
Dr. Kara Lewis is the best doctor ever! We have had nothing but great things to say since our visit. We loved receiving the summary notes from our visit. Thank you Dr. Kara Lewis for a positive and wonderful doctor appointment for our little guy!
Dr Lewis is absolutely wonderful. Very caring and patient. I never feel rushed. I always feel heard and that my questions are answered.
I appreciate how Dr. Lewis and Ms. Alicia explained to me what they found in my MRI results and suggestions.
Dr. Lewis is top notch! I wish she could be a general pediatrician to help us more often. We are thankful for her attentive care as the neurologist!
Dr. Lewis is the absolute best and we appreciate her beyond words.
Dr. Lewis was kind and caring. She spent time with us and seemed genuinely supportive of our needs. I look forward to checking in with her again.
I think Dr. Karen Lewis was amazing. She really got my stress about the baby, gave me all the information I needed. She was very helpful. She was the best. Thank you.
De. Lewis has been amazing and always makes the time to connect with my daughter.
Great experience with the convenience and comfort of a virtual visit. Dr. Lewis engaged patient in conversation and listened to what we had to say. She was informative in a way I could understand. I'd recommend her to any patient needing a doctor in her specialty.
Dr Lewis is so great at talking to teens and getting the relevant info out of them. She takes time to read charts before the appointment and asks about events she recalls were coming up. It's very nice to have a doctor that cares and listens. She's a top doc in my opinion. I would recommend her a thousand times over
Dr Lewis is so wonderful! She is amazing with the kids and parents! I don't think there is a better provider at PCH!!
Dr Lewis is amazing! We love the time and care she gives to our family. She has helped our daughters with their migraines. They are doing so much better. When our daughter she is currently seeing needs a little more help, or a medication change, Dr Lewis is very knowledgeable, and helpful in finding different ways to improve her health. Thank you Dr Lewis! We love you!
Dr Lewis is amazing. Thank you
Dr Lewis was excelling!
My DR. was amazing, very thorough, friendly, and made my child feel comfortable.
Dr. Lewis is great! she explains everything very well and listens to my concerns.
Dr. Lewis was wonderful and we are so grateful for her time and support.
Thank you so much for always treating us like family! Thank you for showing so much care and concern for my child!
Dr Lewis is the Best!
Dr. Lewis is a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring professional. She is encouraging to both parent and patient.