This summer, Brandon Rocque, M.D., professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, presented during two sessions at the 19th Annual National Conference on Hydrocephalus, HAConnect. He was accompanied by UAB undergraduate student Mary Grace Roe. Roe, who is studying psychology, is a mentee of Elizabeth McRae, Ph.D., a pediatric clinical psychologist in the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery.
HAConnect is the largest hydrocephalus conference in the world, boasting more than 600 attendees and more than 70 distinguished speakers. The conference is open to medical practitioners, caregivers, scientists and people of all ages living with hydrocephalus. Attendees are encouraged to explore different “tracks” depending on their age and interests, with each offering unique sessions and activities. Both sessions featuring Rocque, “Navigating Transition to Adult Care for Teens” and “The Challenge: Teens vs. Neurosurgeons,” addressed teenagers with hydrocephalus, empowering them to take charge of their care and grow their knowledge through direct access to experts.
In “Navigating Transition to Adult Care for Teens," Rocque led an interactive discussion between parents, teenagers and medical professionals regarding gaining independence in their care. He did so alongside Heather Bruen, a mother of twins with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. In, “The Challenge: Teens vs. Neurosurgeons,” both Rocque and Ramin Eskandari, MS., M.D., of Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Health, led a game-show style session tackling questions from teens about safety and hydrocephalus.