About Us

Child Neurology at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

The Child Neurology Program at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento is collaboration between the Sutter Neuroscience Institute and the Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento. Through these programs we are able to provide our patients with comprehensive pediatric neurological care - allowing us to identify a specific treatment plan for each child and family.

We treat an extensive range of pediatric neurological conditions, including: seizure disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, motor and speech delays, childhood headaches, genetic disorders with neurologic impairment, learning disorders, co-existing disorders, and a variety of general neurological conditions such as brain tumors, hydrocephalus, and spina bifida. Our team is on the cutting-edge of research and known internationally for providing the most innovative care available.

The Team

Michael G. Chez, M.D., Director of Pediatric Neurology, has almost 20 years' experience in epilepsy research and treatment, epilepsy surgery monitoring, and the innovative use of drug and immunological therapies for refractory autism. Dr. Chez received his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and served his internship and residency in Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He performed his fellowship in Pediatric Neurology at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, and subsequently received his fellowship training in epilepsy at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Chez has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with special competence in Child Neurology. Dr. Chez is the author of numerous articles and an upcoming book entitled, "The Medical Management of Autism: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. To learn more about Dr. Chez or to make an appointment please call (916) 454-6667.

Amer Khan, M.D., is a child neurologist with special interests in pediatric sleep medicine and general child neurology including epilepsy and headaches. Dr. Khan has been certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with special competence in Child Neurology. Dr. Khan received his medical degree from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Cook County Childrens Hospital, Chicago, and fellowship in child neurology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis. With each new patient, Dr. Khan collaborates with the child and family to explore all their concerns and neurological symptoms. He works with them in creating an individualized plan of treatment with the goal of improving their quality of life. Dr. Khan also offers many cutting-edge treatment options, including ones for headaches, epilepsy and spasticity. Dr. Khan is an active member of the Child Neurology Society, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He has been a Sacramento resident for more than eight years. To learn more about Dr. Khan or to make an appointment please call (916) 454-6667.

Ashutosh Raina, M.D., is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with special qualification in Child Neurology. Dr. Raina completed a Residency in Pediatrics at Brookdale Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, and a Residency in Pediatric Neurology at Wayne State University; Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI. He is Fellowship-trained in Clinical Neurophysiology with special interest in refractory epilepsy. Dr. Raina is a member of the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Raina believes the key to a successful relationship with his patients and their families is to see each new case through the patient’s eyes. His practice philosophy is to care more for the individual patient than for the special features of the disease, and he goes above and beyond by offering kind words, a cheerful greeting, or sympathetic look to better connect with his patients.

Nalini Chandra, M.D., Child Neurologist

Nalini Chandra, M.D., board certified child neurologist and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology. While her practice focuses on all aspects of child neurology, Dr. Chandra has a special interest in neurodevelopmental/cognitive disorders, autism and headaches. Dr. Chandra received her medical degree from the State University of New York, Brooklyn. She completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles, Mattel Children’s Hospital, and a residency in pediatric neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, Association of California Neurologists, Child Neurology Society and Autism Society of America. She is a Sacramento native and is excited to return and give back to the "community that raised her" after spending the last 15 years training and working with underprivileged urban communities. To learn more about Dr. Chandra or to make an appointment please call (916) 454-6667.

Shailesh M. Asaikar, M.D., Child Neurologist

Shailesh M. Asaikar, M.D., child neurologist, received his medical degree from the University of Bombay, India. He completed his residency at New York Medical Center Lincoln Health & Mental Health Center and his Fellowship in Pediatric Neurology at the University of Minnesota. He is board certified in Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Neurology (subspecialty in Clinical Neurophysiology and special qualifications in Child Neurology). Dr. Asaikar accepts patients for a wide range of diagnostic procedures and treatments. To learn more about Dr. Asaikar or to make an appointment please call (916) 649-9800.

Paul M. Chretien, M.D., Child Neurologist

Paul M. Chretien, M.D., child neurologist, received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He completed his residency at Kaiser Foundation Hospital, San Francisco and his Fellowship in Pediatric Neurology at Harbor University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. Dr. Chretien accepts patients for a wide range of diagnostic procedures and treatments. To learn more about Dr. Chretien or to make an appointment please call (916) 649-9800.

Our child neurologists coordinate care with Sutter Neuroscience Institute's experts and our pediatric specialists, case managers and Child-Life counselors.

Affiliations

The Pediatric Neurology Program is part of the Sutter Neuroscience Institute and Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento. SNI is a regional program of Sutter Health, located within Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, and has received accreditation from JCAHO, is a Hospital Quality Alliance Participant, and is designated as a Neuroscience Center of Excellence.

Children's Center is a comprehensive pediatric medical center within Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. The center adheres to a policy of family-centered care that ensures each child and family receives care and comfort throughout his or her hospital experience. Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento is recognized by the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) as an associate member. In addition, Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento is the only non-teaching facility in California granted associate membership with the California Children's Hospital Association (CCHA).

Our partnership offers an interdisciplinary approach to each child's care, combining the skills of pediatric neurologists, neurosurgeons, and oncologists with other pediatric specialists. Our goal is to provide each child with access to the most advanced treatments, using our research in pediatric neurological and surgical care.