Primary Office

Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware 1600 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19803 Appointment: (800) 416-4441

Other Offices

Get to Know Me

Dr. Joseph Piatt is the chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, and a current professor of neurological surgery and pediatrics at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Born in Pittsburgh, Dr. Piatt obtained his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College. He went to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania; residency at Duke University in North Carolina; and fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto while he was on active duty for the U.S. Army. After 2 more years in uniform at Madigan Army Medical Center, Dr. Piatt took his first academic position at the Oregon Health Science University in Portland, Oregon. At the end of the millennium, he returned to the East to work at St. Christopher’s in Philadelphia and then at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. He has been at Nemours for 14 years.

Why I Treat Children

I enjoy working with the family dynamics of children and their parents/guardians. I love being able to help children and bring joy to their families. 

What I'm Passionate About

I am passionate about providing clarity and understanding in issues surrounding a child’s health. My goals are to employ all the resources of medical science and my own personal experience to provide the best quality care to children with neurological conditions that require surgical intervention. I strive to continue to help advance the medical science of pediatric neurosurgery for all patients and families.

How I Try to Make A Difference

I take advantage of 35 years of experience in finding the right word to communicate with patients and parents with respect and clarity.

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery - The Hospital for Sick Children, 1987

Internship

  • Surgery - Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, 1980

Residency

  • Neurology - Oregon Health and Sciences University, 1983
  • Neurosurgery - Duke University Medical Center, 1986

Medical/Dental School

  • MD - University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 1979

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Neurological Surgery

Awards & Recognition

  • 2014–2024 Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors
  • 2014 Best Doctors in America
  • 2013 Best Doctors in America
  • 2011 Best Doctors in America
  • 2009 Anthony E Gallo Lectureship, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
  • 1996 Department of Surgery Teaching Award Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Better Health PA Kids HMO
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna PPO/EPO/POS
  • Aetna PPO/POS/EPO
  • Amerihealth Caritas DE - PENNSYLVANIA SPECIALISTS ONLY
  • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware
  • Carefirst MD Community Health Plan Mcaid
  • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS/EPO
  • Cigna & Great West PPO
  • Cigna/Great West HMO EPO POS
  • Cigna/Great West PPO
  • Delaware First Health
  • Delaware Medicaid/Diamond State
  • Delaware Medicare
  • Devon Health Services
  • Fidelis Care NJ Medicaid HMO
  • First Health PPO
  • First Health/Affordable PPO
  • Geisinger Health Plan Commercial
  • Global Medical Managment DE/PA
  • Global Medical Mangment NJ
  • Health Partners Medicaid/Kidz Partner HMO
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pennsylvania
  • Highmark Medicaid Health Options
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • Independance Blue Cross/Amerihealth/Keystone Health Plan
  • Insurance Administrators of America
  • INTEGRA Administrative Group (ClaimsBridge)
  • Keystone First Medicaid HMO
  • Lifetrac Transplant
  • Maryland Medicaid
  • Multiplan PPO
  • New Jersey Medicaid
  • Pennsylvania Medicaid
  • Plan Vista/NPPN PPO
  • Preferred Healthcare PPO
  • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Qualcare HMO/POS/PPO
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services/CHAMPVA
  • United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic
  • UPMC MCAID/CHIP PA DE
  • UPMC Medicaid
  • US Family Health Plan
  • Wellpoint Maryland Medcaid

  • Brachial Plexus Birth Injury
  • Chiari Malformation
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Spina Bifida
  • Syringomyelia

Research Activities

My research activities include topics such as:

  • Epidemiology of pediatric neurosurgical conditions
  • Healthcare outcome disparities in pediatric neurosurgery
  • Quality measurement in the management of hydrocephalus

Medical Interests

My areas of specialization and medical expertise include:

  • Brain tumors
  • Craniospinal trauma
  • Craniosynostosis and other skull deformities
  • Chiari malformation
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Spina bifida and spinal cord tethering
  • Syringomyelia
  • Spasticity
  • Epilepsy

  • English