Dr. Lewis W Harris JR., MD

I would leave zero stars if I could. Dr. Harris cared for our daughter when she was born with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. He had just move to Knoxville and everyone was so happy to have a pediatric neurosurgeon in Knoxville. I trusted him. When my daughters head kept growing he said it was normal, even though her head was huge when she was born. He also said her ventricles were paper thin but when the neurologist looked the CT he said it was a bone scan and didn't show the ventricles well, which were not paper thin. When she was diagnosed, by an ophthalmologist, with 6th nerve palsy due to pressure in her brain, he said she was fine and refused to do an MRI. So, I decided to get a second opinion. I took her to neurosurgeon out of state and her shunt was changed out. She was an entirely different baby. At 6 months she had barely smiled, once. Within hours of the shunt with the new surgeon she was belly laughing, smiling and responding more than ever. I found out that the notes… that Dr. Harris dictated at the last visit with him when he refused to do the MRI, he implied that I was overanxious and always asked too many questions, to sway the new neurosurgeons' opinion of me. I also found out later that he was asked to leave his previous hospital. Don't trust anyone you love, or hate, with this man.

My Daughter was in a car accident got hit with an air bag in 2005. I took her to a Chiropractor cuz she was complaining of severe neck pain and headaches that made it worse took her to the ER they did an X-ray but didn’t see anything. The Nurse said she needs an MRI but u need a PCP to get one of those. So, I had to wait for a new pt appt unfortunately while all this was going on. I just knew I needed to get her some answers.. but nothing.. Anyway finally got in the Dr was puzzled by all the steps we had taken and nothing worked, so she requested the MRI. Results are in, she called us into the office, never good when that happens.. She told us My daughter had Chiari Malformation I with a Synrix and she needed to see a NeuroSurgeon. Wait What!!! What just Happened Here.. she told us all about and My mouth just dropped to the floor.. Ok I said So I looked for Drs that knew about this Condition because it was very rare back then. I call this one Dr office asked the front office gal… does he know anything about this condition oh yes!!!! Ok really? R u sure cuz it’s rare and I need a good Dr, oh yeah she said!! So I set up an appt. We get there 15 mins later the Dr comes into the room as my daughter and I are thinking maybe he doesn’t know about it and he’s looking it up on the Internet, that’s why it’s taking him so long in coming in here. He comes in says ok so u have this and we need to do a decompression and drain the syrynix by putting in a shunt! Ok and.... well that’s it, humm we read all that online.. ok my daughter and I looked at each other and were like uh No way he isn’t doing it, so we said ty and left. Then I did some reseRch found Dr Lewis Harris, took the MRI to him met with him he was very detailed very informative answered all of our questions was very passionate about the life of my daughter as he knew I was clearly concerned for her and he left no stone unturned to make us both feel comfortable and understand the surgery the recovery how long she had this and what to expect. My daughter is not 100% but No Chiarian before or after Decompression surgery is but I have to say she is better than she was and He Saved Her Life! Even she will tell u that. At that time she was 17 now she is going to be 32. Wishing he could continue to be her surgeon again as that is how much faith we have in him for a totally different issue now. Ty Dr Lewis and God Bless

Dr. Harris has been my daughters Neurologist since 92. We drove from Athens, Alabama every year sometimes 2 or 3 times to see him. In my book he is the BEST.

Our son had a case of advanced hydrocephalus at 4.5 months old, Dr Lewis highly recommenced an ETV stating our son was a good candidate. Long story short, 1.5 years latter we find out (from another doc) the ETV was ultimately unsuccessful (our son still had increased CSF pressure). ETVs are inappropriate for advanced cases of hydrocephalus due to the extreme distortion of the ventricles and the urgency to restore normal CSF pressure. Also the 6 month post-opp radiology report noted an INCREASE in ventricle size, yet we were told he had improved. As a parents be cautious of this Dr's advice and do your research. If you have any question about this doctor or hydrocephalus...

He saved my daughter's life. She is perfect and her scar is tiny. 20 stars ++

I would recommend this doctor to any child. My daughter had hydrocephalus and he has been our hero ever since. He went to very detail about what the situation was and what he'd do for the surgery. He likes to check up on his patients and he'll answer any questions you have.

My husband and I were told by this doctor that if he didn't do chiari decompression surgery our son would be paralyzed in 4 to 5 years. He did NOT correctly explain the surgery to us. He only told us about half of what the surgery truly entailed. We found out after our only son died, that the surgery was not near as immediate as he led us to believe. Our son was a candidate for the surgery, but it was not an immediate situation as Dr. Harris said. Our son was in the PICU for three weeks before he died. PLEASE do NOT blindly trust Dr. Lewis Harris with your child's life. Because of him, my husband and I buried our only child.

He doesnt specialize in rare or serious diseases hes all about gettin paid not worried about his patients!

Dr. Harris was more than professional. He was caring and sympathetic unlike so many others I have seen. He even visited me in the hospital after my surgery justto see how I was andling it all. Thank You Dr. Harris for all you have done for every one of your patients. :)

Dr. Harris saved my daughters life over 16 years ago. Had it not been for the God given talent, knowledge, love and passion of this man, I truly believe that I would not get to see my daughter graduate this month. The love and care this man showed me and my family goes beyond the "bed side manner" of any doctor I've ever come to know. May God continue to bless his skilled hands and his loving heart for many more children that may come his way. Thank you Dr. Harris for keeping our family whole. With all our love and graditude