Saving the CP Hip: The Case for Early Surveillance and Integrated Care
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:
- Orthopedic Overview of Cerebral Palsy
- Importance of hip surveillance, understanding when to refer
- Treatments options for Neuromuscular Hips
- Importance of multidisciplinary approach
About this presenter:
Monica Payares-Lizano, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Director of Neuromuscular Orthopedics
Phoenix Children's
Monica Payares-Lizano, MD, FAAOS, FAAP, is the Director of Neuromuscular Orthopedics at Phoenix Children’s, where she leads the development of the hospital’s comprehensive neuromuscular and cerebral palsy program. Her clinical and academic focus includes cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders, gait analysis, hip surveillance, neuromotor upper extremity reconstruction, and multidisciplinary care coordination. She is working closely with PM&R, neurology, plastic surgery, Neurosurgery, and rehabilitation partners to implement advanced care pathways, including integrated gait assessment and surgical planning protocols.
Prior to joining Phoenix Children’s, Dr. Payares-Lizano spent ten years at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where she served as Surgical Director of the Cerebral Palsy Center of Excellence and as treasurer of the Medical Executive Committee. During her tenure, she helped develop standardized neuromuscular clinical pathways, coordinated multidisciplinary clinics, and participated in major institutional initiatives improving access and quality of care for children with special needs.
Dr. Payares-Lizano received her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completed residency training in orthopedic surgery at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center, and pursued fellowship training in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. She is board certified in orthopedic surgery. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters, and numerous national and international presentations.
She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has previously served on the AAOS Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. She holds leadership and committee roles in POSNA, AACPDM, RJOS, and AALOS. She is recognized nationally for her work in mentorship and workforce diversity, including Congressional recognition as a “Hispanic Woman of Excellence” for community service.
Dr. Payares-Lizano is co-founder of the Fundación Juan José Payares Bustos, which provides education, vocational training, and medical outreach in rural Colombia and coordinates multidisciplinary medical missions. She remains actively engaged in community partnerships, global health initiatives, and mentorship across the educational pipeline.