Lily Tran, MD

Lily Tran, MD, is a pediatric neurologist and director of the Yale Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program who cares for children with various forms of epilepsy, including complex and treatment-resistant cases. She emphasizes personalized treatment strategies and works closely with families to ensure they have the support and resources needed for every stage of their child’s epilepsy journey.

Dr. Tran evaluates and manages pediatric patients living with epilepsy, including intractable (hard-to-control) seizures, complex genetic epilepsy syndromes, and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies—conditions that can hinder a child’s cognitive and developmental progress. She offers treatment options such as epilepsy surgery, dietary approaches, and other advanced interventions to help reduce seizures and improve quality of life. “Epilepsy not only affects the child and adolescent, but all aspects of their lives from school to social to family dynamics,” she says. “I like to focus on maximizing each child’s quality of life so they can live it to the fullest and not be inhibited by an epilepsy diagnosis.”

As an associate professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Tran’s research centers on pediatric epilepsy, with a special emphasis on developing effective education programs, improving quality-of-life outcomes, and contributing to clinical trials aimed at advancing treatments for genetic and complex pediatric epilepsies. She finds ongoing inspiration in emerging discoveries about the developing brain and the expanding range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic options available to patients.

Dr. Tran received her medical training from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She completed her pediatric neurology residency and fellowship at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She believes that exceptional care starts with open communication, shared decision-making, and a trusting partnership between parents, children, and care teams.