About Us
Our Mission
The Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond, PLLC exists to provide progressive, medically advanced, unique and quality care to Virginia’s headache sufferers, as well as to support the patients and their families on the journey of living with headaches. We also hope to educate the public, other healthcare providers, and families regarding prevention and treatment of migraines.
ABOUT: ALISON ALFORD, MD, FAAN, FAHS
Dr. Alford hails from the birthplace of American democracy, the famous Liberty Bell, and the state that gives us the origin of Hershey’s chocolate, Pennsylvania! Born and raised alongside her older sister and brother, it was no surprise when she pursued her undergraduate work in Psychobiology at the University of Miami (GO HURRICANES). For as much as she loves Miami, she opted to go north to Philadelphia to attend medical school at Jefferson Medical College (Thomas Jefferson University). Following long days and nights being in medical school, Dr. Alford was matched (a system through which medical students get placed into a residency program) for residency and fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University. Today, she has earned even more titles to follow her name (FAAN – Fellow American Academy of Neurology & FAHS – Fellow of the American Headache Society). Her hard work does not stop there. Dr. Alford is the Owner and Medical Director of Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond; Board Member of the Southern Headache Society; Diplomate of the ABPN with Child Neurology; Diplomate of the UCNS.
What makes her unique to her patients? She does not just treat migraines, she is a migraine sufferer herself. This gives her a very special understanding, and devoted passion to help those who also suffer from this chronic condition. Dr. Alford’s aspiration to help children, specifically, was fostered during her rotations in medical school, and when she first began practicing in the Richmond area. It was also during this time her interest cultivated into supporting and caring for children with sports concussions and their recovery. As a former athlete (ask her about this), the care and recovery of concussions, especially in children, became imperative to her.
It was early 2016 when Dr. Alford made it her mission to focus on caring for the kids of the community the way she feels medical care should be! It was this aspiration that led her to open the doors to Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond. The shift to private practice allowed Dr. Alford to provide Richmond, and the surrounding areas, world class care for headache and concussion patients, by having all the best resources under one roof. Since opening Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond, Dr. Alford has cared for over 5,000 patients, providing quality care, understanding, and compassion while able to most of all, improve the lives of her patients suffering from migraines.
But wait…there is more. She is married to her college sweetheart, and together they are raising two kids, and two Golden Retrievers. As she and her husband are active with their kids’ sports, when not in the office, she’s can be seen out and about at a variety of activites. Say hello if you see her.
What is Headache Medicine?
Headache Medicine is its own specialty within Neurology, requiring its own separate Board Certification (recognition of additional training) i.e. neurologist does not always mean the physician is a headache specialist. It’s more than just the additional education and training. Headache Specialists are experts on all the different, past and present medication, non-medication, and procedure treatment options available to aid headache sufferers in frequency and/or severity. Because no two headache sufferers are the same, it is important to have an experienced doctor who understands migraines and their subtleties. Patients can only get this type of care from a Headache Specialist, meaning someone who is a Board-Certified Neurologist in headache medicine.
Is it right for me?
Patients are welcome to seek help for their headaches on their own. Many patients are recommended to seek the care of a headache specialists by other providers. Headache specialists focus on migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and other facial pain. Coming to a headache specialist is coming to an experienced doctor who understands migraines and the subtleties. A Headache Specialist can offer many options to create a treatment plan specific for your headache journey.
At the Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond, we believe in taking a comprehensive, and customized approach to tailor our treatment plans to each person’s individual needs. We specialize in treating the mind-body connection of headache pain with a wide range of migraine treatment options. From the initial diagnosis, to a personalized treatment plan, and follow up appointments, all are with the experienced touch only a headache specialist can bring to your care.