Bringing CNS Members Together to Make Children’s Lives Better

CONNECTING TO...

Dear Colleagues,

In May, the United States celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month. This month celebrates the vibrant culture and history of the AAPI community and recognizes the influence, contributions, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the United States. The Child Neurology Society is committed to highlighting the contributions and commitments of our diverse membership and fostering positive connections between our members.

This year’s AAPI Heritage Month theme, “Advancing Leaders through Collaboration”, acknowledges that collaboration among diverse individuals within an organization can improve communication, innovation, membership connections, and overall success. In line with this year’s theme, we are pleased and privileged to share this panel interview of Drs. Susan Koh, Dararat “Pam Ming” Mingbunjerdsuk, and Radha Giridharan. Dr. Koh is Chair of the CNS Membership Committee and Dr. Mingbunjerdsuk is a CNS Leadership, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (LDEI) committee member. Expanded biographies of each of the speakers are provided below. The interview is facilitated by Dr. Rujuta B. Wilson, Chair of the CNS LDEI Committee. We highlight the experiences and contributions of Drs. Koh, Mingbunjerdsuk, and Giridharan to the field of child neurology and welcome their perspective on how the CNS can help foster diverse representation in child neurology and support future leaders in the field.

With Regards,

Rujuta B. Wilson, MD, MS
Chair, CNS LDEI Committee

About the Speakers

Rujuta Wilson, MD


Susan Koh, MD

Susan Koh, MD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology
University of Colorado School of Medicine

Susan Koh, MD is currently a pediatric neurology/epileptologist at Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Dr. Koh completed her undergraduate degree at Oberlin College, her medical doctorate at University of Southern California, and her residency training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles/Los Angeles County-University of Southern California. She completed a pediatric epilepsy fellowship at Miami Children’s Hospital. She was an assistant professor at University of California Los Angeles in Pediatrics and Neurology and then became a clinical professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Children’s Hospital of Colorado/University of Colorado Medical School. She is currently the Associate Chief of Inpatient Services at Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Section of Pediatric Neurology as well as the Epilepsy Program Director for Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She also is currently the medical director of the multidisciplinary Tuberous Sclerosis clinic and has been the Epilepsy Fellowship Program Director in the past. Dr. Koh’s main research interests is in pediatric epilepsy and Tuberous Sclerosis.


Dararat Mingbunjerdsuk, MD

Dararat Mingbunjerdsuk, MD

Assistant Professor in Neurology and Pediatrics
Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington

Dr. Mingbunjerdsuk is a pediatric movement disorder neurologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She runs pediatric movement disorders clinic where she serves as a key regional resource for children with complex movement disorders in the Pacific Northwest and WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho). Dr. Mingbunjerdsuk came to the United States for residency training in 2003 after completion of medical school from Thailand. Her academic focuses are in 1. Pediatric Movement Disorders 2. Teaching innovation and 3. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.


Radha Giridharan, MD

Radha Giridharan, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Dr. Giridharan is a general child neurologist. Her passion is taking care of patients and families with Neurological Disorders especially ASD, teaching, Medical Students, Residents and Fellows, and helping them understand beauty of the developing Brain. She also enjoys traveling and botanical gardens.