CHOC Children’s has the only Level 4 pediatric epilepsy center in Orange County, accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Level 4 is the highest rating available. A Multidisciplinary Team
Our pediatric epileptologists are more qualified to treat seizures than anyone else in Orange County, with board certification in both child neurology and clinical neurophysiology and additional training in epilepsy. The team is led by Dr. Mary Zupanc, who is quadruple board-certified and one of an elite group of specialists in the country who has board certification in epilepsy.
Our dedicated team is here to coordinate care with families through every stage of care, from diagnosing seizures to finding the right medication or treatment, and managing the condition over time. At every clinic visit, families have access to a multidisciplinary team including:
- Pediatric epileptologists who are board certified in child neurology and clinical neurophysiology
- Nurse practitioners to help manage a child’s care
- Pharmacists, who work directly with patients and families to discuss anti-epileptic medications and potential side effects, monitor dosages and effectiveness of medications, and assist with orphan drug procurement and clinical drug trials
- Neurosurgeons, who perform surgery and consult with families before and after a procedure
- Registered dietitians, who assist families in adapting to the ketogenic diet
- Neuropsychologists, who conduct cognitive testing with patients and work with schools to modify a child’s academic programs; and
- Social workers, who help families with financial and insurance concerns.
Our Approach to Seizure Management
Seizures and epilepsy affect children at different ages and in different ways. For some, it will be a temporary problem, easily controlled with medication and outgrown within years. For others, it may be an ongoing challenge that affects many areas of life. No matter a patient’s epilepsy type or stage of treatment, we offer the expert care and support that families need.
The CHOC Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is organized so that patients and families have easy access to our services at every stage of the process, from the first seizure through diagnosis and management, until it’s time to transition a patient into adult care. A pediatric-trained neuroscience nurse coordinator serves as an advocate for patients and their families throughout their epilepsy treatment by facilitating appointments, coordinating care between inpatient and outpatient areas, and assisting with discharge planning.
