Diana Liacos, MSN, CPNP

Diana Liacos, MSN, CPNP, first went to work at Boston City Hospital—the predecessor to Boston Medical Center—in 1982, where she served as a staff nurse on the Infant Toddler Unit. “From the start, I was interested in babies with neurological problems,” she recalls. “At the time, there was far less knowledge available about how to diagnose and treat many of those conditions. Fortunately, we have a lot more to offer patients today.”

As the Pediatric Neurology Division’s Nurse Practitioner and Inpatient Care Coordinator, Ms. Liacos shares that knowledge with families. “In my role, I do a fair amount of counseling,” she explains. “I provide information, emotional support and guidance to the child and their family members, which includes discussing in what ways the diagnosis may impact everyday life. Many of the discussions I have with the child and their families are related to ‘coaching’. I help them find strategies to cope and feel more comfortable with the diagnosis and treatment plan. They need to anticipate the challenges that their child will face, so I guide and advise them on how to advocate for the child.”

Ms. Liacos has a particular interest in self-management strategies. “It’s great to be able to help patients and families manage a condition themselves,” she says, noting that epilepsy and several other neurological conditions respond to self-management. “An example is when we teach a child who is experiencing migraine headaches to be aware of their own body so that they can recognize the signs of stress. By avoiding the foods that may trigger a migraine, and incorporating regular exercise, many children lessen the severity and frequency of their migraines.”

As Inpatient Care Coordinator, Ms. Liacos makes rounds with the pediatric neurology staff, and is often struck by the resilience of the children she meets. “So many of them have this amazing inner resource,” she says.

Ms. Liacos attended Boston University School of Nursing and later received her master’s degree from Northeastern University School of Nursing. She also completed a fellowship focusing on Developmental Disabilities at the Shriver’s Center.

She has a special interest in children with multiple disabilities, neuro-genetic and neuro-metabolic diseases. “I think my work experiences at Perkins School for the Blind (a residential school), Fransciscan Children’s Hospital (rehabilitation and chronic care), and in the Comprehensive Care Program here at BMC (primary care for children with complex health needs) have broadened my abilities to help families at different stages in their child’s life.

Ms. Liacos is proud to be part of the pediatric neurology division. “We have such a well-rounded practice — one that is completely up-to-date on the research and treatment options. We provide our patients with outstanding care and a lot of attention.”

Diana Liacos, MSN, CPNP Academic Credentials page