Spotlight
Dr. Monica S. Pearl
Children’s National Hospital
Monica S. Pearl, MD, director of Neurointerventional Radiology Program at Children’s National Hospital; Professor of Radiology and Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
What makes her an “Audrey” Dr. Monica Pearl is an ideal selection as an ‘Audrey’ for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in pediatric neurointerventional radiology. Like Dr. Audrey Evans, Dr. Pearl has defied barriers in a male-dominated field, pioneering transformative treatments for children with complex neurological conditions that have often times affected her personally but her determination to help these children have helped her persevere through some of the darkest moments.
Through her development of intra-arterial chemotherapy protocols, innovative treatments for pediatric brain tumors, and the creation of a novel approach to treating neonatal seizures, Dr. Pearl has significantly impacted cancer care and pediatric neurointervention. Her work reflects the spirit of dedication, ingenuity, and advocacy that is central to Dr. Audrey Evans’ legacy. Dr. Pearl's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children, alongside her leadership and visionary contributions to medical research and practice, places her among the exceptional women in medicine who continue to shape the future of healthcare and inspire future generations. We at Children’s National are honored to have her be a part of our team dedicated to leading the future of pediatric health through clinical excellence, transformative research, innovation and service to our pediatric community.
Notable achievements:
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: I designed, drafted and was the PI (Pearl) and FDA Sponsor for a clinical trial on IAC for retinoblastoma at Johns Hopkins. Intra-arterial Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Intraocular Retinoblastoma, NCT01293539. The trial is complete, and this therapy is now considered a standard of care option for certain children with retinoblastoma. I have established this as a standard of care treatment option at JHH and also at CNH, where I did the first case of IAC (at CNH) for retinoblastoma in 2020.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG): I designed, drafted and was the PI (Pearl) and FDA Sponsor for a clinical trial on IAC for recurrent DIPG at Johns Hopkins. Intra-arterial Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Progressive Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG), NCT01688401 I am working to develop a new protocol for blood brain barrier disruption (BBBD) and IAC for DIPG to be performed at CNH
Along with the late Dr. Taeun Chang, Dr. Pearl developed a novel treatment option for neonates and infants under three months of age with medically refractory seizures due to hemimegalencephaly.
Oluigbo C, Pearl M, Tsuchida T, Keating R, Gaillard W. Endovascular embolic hemispherectomy": a strategy for the initial management of catastrophic holohemispheric epilepsy in the neonate. Childs Nerv Syst. 2017 Mar; 33(3): 521-527. PMID: 27796549
Pearl M, Tsuchida T, Oluigbo C, Kratimenos P, Anwar T, Kousa Y, Gaillard W, Chang T. Definitive treatment of seizures due to hemimegalencephaly in neonates and young infants by transarterial embolization (TAE): Technical considerations for “endovascular embolic hemispherectomy”. J Neurointerv Surg. 2022 Oct 27: neurintsurg-2022-019049. PMID: 36302639
Toddler Thriving After Doctors Cure Her Seizures by Intentionally Inducing Strokes in Her Brain – People
Go, Bella, go! – Children's National YouTube feature
Breaking the mold of pediatric health – Washington Post
Iowa mom, doctors fight for 'life-saving' brain procedure for newborn, after insurance denies coverage – KETV
Nomination by one of her HME patients – Born Abel Doctor of the Month (see screenshot below)
Dr. Audrey Evans inspires me because she embraced her mission through perseverance and dedication, developing the field of pediatric oncology.
I want my legacy to be innovation through curiosity, compassion, and courage to improve the lives of children and their families.