Leadership and Faculty
Daphne M Hasbani, MD, PhD
Program Director, Child Neurology Residency, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, Drexel University College of MedicineDr. Hasbani is a child neurologist at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. She completed a combined MD and PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis through the Medical Scientist Training Program. She then completed her pediatrics and child neurology residencies as well as her epilepsy fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia before joining St. Christopher’s Hospital in 2013. Dr. Hasbani is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM) and serves as the Program Director for the Child Neurology Residency at Tower Health/St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Her interests include general neurology, epilepsy, and the care of patients with complex medical needs. Dr. Hasbani is also actively engaged in resident and medical student education and has been honored to be the recipient of several teaching awards.
Sameh S Morkous, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, Drexel University College of MedicineDr. Morkous is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Drexel University and Board certified in Child Neurology, Sleep, and Epilepsy Medicine through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). An active advocate, author, and researcher, he possesses comprehensive experience in outpatient, inpatient and administrative work with specified enthusiasm about executive and philanthropic work. Dr. Morkous has performed at national and international presentations and is a cognoscente medical expert consultant. His scholarly works include Institutional Review Board (IRB) Research; Peer Reviewed Publications in top tier medical journals; Quality Peer Reviewer for prestigious medical journals, Position Statements Author; and service within multiple prestigious professional societies in areas of Neurology, Sleep, and Epilepsy Medicine. He serves as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Political Action Committee (PAC) Northeastern Region (US States) Ambassador and Vice Chair and attended multiple AASM, and American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Sleep, and Neurology on the Hill annual nationwide advocacy meetings. He also currently serves on the AASM Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Awareness Provider Education Work Group and American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Division Chief Subcommittee. He previously was a member of the Child Neurology Society (CNS) Legislative Affairs Committee and participated in the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, serving as an Advocate in 2017, and as an Advisor in 2021. Dr. Morkous's background incorporates multiple leadership administrative experiences in Child Neurology, Sleep and Epilepsy, and is enthusiastic about opportunities and challenges that significantly impact the medical field and passionate about building long-lasting peer and patient relationships.
Joseph J Melvin, DO
Child Neurologist Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, Drexel University College of MedicineDr. Melvin completed his DO internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital followed by pediatrics residency at the former Hahnemann Hospital, child neurology residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and neurophysiology fellowship at Temple University Hospital. He has been a practicing child neurologist since 1997, most of which has been here at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. His interests include inpatient neurology, neuromuscular disorders, and metabolic diseases.
Elise Mercier, MD
Child NeurologistDr. Mercier earned her medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed her pediatrics and child neurology residencies at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Dr. Mercier further specialized in epilepsy through a combined fellowship at Jefferson University Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital. For her commitment to the care of children with epilepsy, Dr. Mercier was honored with the John M. Pellock Clinical Fellow Award at the Child Neurology Society’s 51st annual meeting.
Lauren C Morris, DO
Child NeurologistDr. Morris completed her medical school training at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and her residencies in pediatrics and child neurology at Duke University Hospital. She completed additional training in epilepsy at Johns Hopkins prior to joining the faculty at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Her interests include general child neurology, epilepsy – including epilepsy surgery – and other therapies such as the ketogenic diet and neuromodulating devices.