Laura L. Hayes MD, FAAP

Laura and Matt Hayes at last year's Nemour's Costume Ball - Fairy Tale Theme

Laura L. Hayes MD, FAAP
Professional Title: Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Locale: Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Orlando, Florida
Fellowships: Pediatric Radiology, Pediatric Neuroradiology
ASPNR member since 2006

ASPNR: What attracted you to pediatric neuroradiology?
Laura Hayes: I have been fascinated with neuroimaging ever since I saw my sister’s abnormal brain MRI scan while working as a file clerk in the radiology department. Radiology was natural to me because my mother was a sonographer and I practically grew up in the radiology department. While learning neuroscience in college, my interest in neuroradiology continued to grow, especially in peds neuro. Adults are so gross on the inside and kids are so much more interesting and important!

ASPNR: Do you have a colleague or mentor that inspired you in your career?
LH: Dr. Susan Palasis. Even though she was busy reading studies, she always took time to teach and make every case interesting. Her love and strong grasp of peds neuro was inspiring. She also made work fun with her great sense of humor and our daily trips to the lobby coffeeshop. As a working mom, she understood the challenges of balancing work and family and she supported me in my role as a mother. I would not be where I am today without her.

ASPNR: What is your favorite part of your job?
LH: Making the correct diagnosis and helping referring doctors treat kids appropriately.

ASPNR: What is the biggest challenge of your job?
LH: Making the correct diagnosis.

ASPNR: What is the most interesting project you are working on right now?
LH: Applications of diffusion-weighted imaging in the pediatric spine. I love spine diffusion.

ASPNR: What words of wisdom would you pass on to your junior attending self?
LH: Write up your papers before someone else does. Enjoy every moment with your kids. Don’t put up with sexism in the workplace. Don’t worry about what other people think of you. Take care of your back.

ASPNR: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
LH: I have a degree in Classical Studies. I was such a Latin nerd.

ASPNR: Will you be attending the 2020 ASPNR meeting in South Beach?
LH: Yes of course! (Insert shameless plea here for everyone to help us get vendor support.)

June 2019