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Children's National Epilepsy Program Recognized by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers

Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children's National Named a Level 4 Epilepsy Center

Washington, DC – The Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s National Health System has been named a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Level 4 epilepsy centers are reserved for those programs that are fully comprehensive in the services that they provide.

“This is the second year in a row that we have applied and received this distinction and we aim to continue providing this kind of best-quality services and care to meet the needs of our patients,” said William D. Gaillard, MD, Director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program.
The Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program works with patients with a full range of seizure disorders (epilepsy) – including new onset seizures, infantile spasms, chronic epilepsy, epileptic encephalopathies, and intractable (hard-to-control) epilepsy. Dedicated specialists take a comprehensive approach to patients, focusing on all aspects of care including cognitive, behavioral, dietary, and psychiatric evaluation and support. The team works with patients and families to address the complications that are associated with difficult-to-control epilepsy, including the social, educational and emotional issues that sometimes arise in addition to conducting world-class patient oriented research in pediatric epilepsy.

The team encompasses child neurologists, clinical neurophysiologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuropsychiatrists, neuroradiologists, social work, clinical nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers and therapists, and an epilepsy coordinator.

In those instances where surgery may be recommended, Children’s neurosurgeons are specially trained in, and dedicated to, pediatric epilepsy surgery. The team emphasizes advanced imaging techniques to ensure that this is one of the most technically sophisticated operating programs for children. The neurosurgical operating suite at Children’s National was redesigned a few years ago with the family in mind. The state-of-the-art facility offers patients and their families a dedicated neuroscience care unit with all private suites, neuro-pediatric intensive care rooms and a neuro-newborn intensive unit.

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) provides Level 3 and 4 distinctions through an annual and voluntary self-designation process. NAEC looks at different distinctions to help providers and patient families understand the appropriateness and quality of care at programs around the country. What distinguishes Level 4 programs are unique programs such as specialized neuroimaging, clinical experiences of the program’s neurosurgeon and neurologist, ability to resection epileptogenic tissue, and the placement of intracranial electrodes.

Contact:  Emily Hartman or Caitlyn Camacho, 202-476-4500.

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