Our Pediatric Team

Our highly collaborative Neurosugery team works closely with many other experts representing a variety of disciplines including neuroradiology, pediatric medicine, pediatric plastic surgery, pediatric neuro-oncology, pediatric otolaryngology, pediatric neurology and epilepsy, and more.

Meet Our Experts

Scott Elton, MD, FAAP

Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Professor of Neurosurgery

Dr. Elton is available to see patients for new and return appointments at four locations across the state. Dr. Elton received a BA degree from Brandeis University and an MS degree from Georgetown University before earning his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Elton completed an internship in general surgery, a residency in neurosurgery at Ohio State University Medical Center and a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Board certified in both neurosurgery and pediatric neurosurgery, Dr. Elton is currently a Clinical Professor and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at UNC Chapel Hill

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Carolyn Quinsey, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Quinsey is a board-eligible pediatric neurosurgeon who specializes in minimally invasive and shuntless surgery. She received her BS and MD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She then completed her residency in neurological surgery from UNC Chapel Hill and her fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery from Oregon Health Science University. Dr. Quinsey is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at UNC Chapel Hill. 

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Melody Watral, CPNP-PC

Neurosurgery Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Ms. Watral is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and pediatric oncology nurse. She earned a BS degree in biology from Pacific University and a BS degree in nursing from the University of Miami before receiving a master’s degree in nursing and a post-master’s certificate as a pediatric nurse practitioner from UNC Chapel Hill. She completed a post-master’s fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Texas Children’s Hospital. Melody is currently a pediatric nurse practitioner and Clinical Instructor of Pediatric Neurosurgery at UNC Chapel Hill.

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Kristi Hildebrand, MSN, CPNP-AC

Neurosurgery Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Instructor

Ms. Hildebrand is a certified acute care pediatric nurse practitioner. She earned a BS degree in nursing from UNC Chapel Hill before receiving her master’s degree in acute care pediatric nursing from Duke University. She is certified in pediatric advanced life support and is currently a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner and Clinical Instructor of Pediatric Neurosurgery at UNC Chapel Hill.

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