Pediatric Neurology Expert
Dr. Cathleen Marshall
Pediatric Developmental Neurologist
Dr. Cathleen Marshall is a pediatric neurologist with subspecialty training in neurodevelopmental disorders and over 25 years of experience working with children with complex neurological needs.
Dr. Marshall is the only Pediatric Neurologist specialty trained in neurodevelopmental and neurogenetics in the state.
She sees patients across Alaska at Northern Neurology's multiple locations.
Clinical Experience
Her clinical expertise spans cerebral palsy, spasticity and dystonia, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, neurogenetic disorders and testing, ADHD, and complex care including palliative and hospice medicine. But ask her what she actually does, and she's been known to tell her teenage patients: "I have the best job ever. I help your school and other doctors know how awesome you are. My job is to make you look great."
Dr. Marshall's approach starts the same way every time: with the child. Before the chart, before the diagnosis list, before the long medical words that even doctors trip over, she wants to know who's in front of her. What makes them laugh. What makes them roll their eyes. Whether they want to play soccer, and if so, how the team can adapt things to make that happen. The list of diagnoses matters, but it's not the first thing she sees.
From there, it's about building a team. Dr. Marshall works closely with families, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, infant learning programs, schools, and every other specialist involved in a child's care. She believes in checking egos at the door because children with complex needs don't have single-system problems, and no one provider has all the answers. The goal is a comprehensive plan where everyone communicates, not a collection of silos.
For parents, she knows that walking through the door for a first appointment can be one of the hardest things they've ever done. Her philosophy is simple: just by bringing their child in for a neurodevelopmental evaluation, families are already changing their child's trajectory. Early intervention is crucial, and she wants parents to feel empowered to ask questions, bring ideas to the table, and trust their instincts. As she puts it, mom's always right.
Dr. Marshall's patients and their families describe her as the glue that holds their care teams together. When a parent can't get the ER to listen, she's the one who picks up the phone. When a child needs someone to fight for them, she shows up. Her kids, as she calls them, don't just survive under her care. They thrive.