Spina Bifida Program and Maya Evans, M.D., Receive National Recognition from Spina Bifida Association

Collaborative Care and Research Among the Best in the Nation

Maya Evans, M.D., and the Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California Spina Bifida Program were recently recognized as national leaders in spina bifida care by the Spina Bifida Association (SBA). Dr. Evans, who serves as medical director for the Spina Bifida Program, was recently appointed to the Spina Bifida Association’s Research Advisory Council. Under Dr. Evans’ leadership, the Spina Bifida Program was also named a Spina Bifida Association 2020 Clinic Care Partner. These two honors put Dr. Evans and the Spina Bifida Program in good company, among the best in the nation. 

“We applaud Dr. Evans for her leadership in advancing spina bifida quality of care and research in our region, and nationally,” said Margaret Bryan, administrator and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California. “Dr. Evans’ appointment to the SBA Research Advisory Council and our program’s recent recognition as an SBA Clinic Care Partner are important milestones for our hospital.” 

Dr. Evans will serve on the Research Advisory Council alongside other nationally-recognized leaders in spina bifida care and advocacy. The Research Advisory Council is a group of approximately 20 clinicians, adult patients, parents and caregivers who provide resources and guidance to support SBA research – all towards the mission of improving the lives of people living with spina bifida. SBA Clinic Care Partners are selected for achieving a high quality of care that meets 10 best-practice standards. The standards include proper collaboration between care teams, prenatal care coordination, gathering family feedback via Patient Advisory Committees and more. The Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California Spina Bifida Program team includes specialists from the fields of neurology, urology, orthopaedics, radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, maternal and fetal medicine, and more, who collaborate closely to provide personalized care to each patient. 

“Spina bifida is a complex medical issue,” said Dr. Evans. “It’s a condition that affects many different systems of the body, and requires a lot of medical teamwork and consistent care. Our team looks forward to collaborating with SBA to further advance spina bifida care.” 

Dr. Evans, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, has served as medical director for the Spina Bifida Program since 2015. Dr. Evans previously served as medical director of pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. She is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in brain injury medicine, pediatric rehabilitation medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. 

Find more information about the Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California Spina Bifida Program.