Newswise — Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has been recognized by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 epilepsy center, providing the highest–level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. NAEC is a leading national organization focused on providing support to people with epilepsy.

CHLA is now one of four children’s hospitals in California – and the only children’s hospital in Greater Los Angeles – to receive this prestigious accreditation. This achievement underscores CHLA’s focus on expanding epilepsy care for children in Southern California. Led by Deborah Holder, MD, CHLA’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program Center is a major focus for the hospital’s Division of Neurology, which manages the care of hundreds of children with epilepsy from Los Angeles and beyond.

“Being distinguished as a Level 4 epilepsy Center tells patients and families that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the place to go for the highest quality of care for those children with epilepsy,” says Holder, director of the CHLA Comprehensive Epilepsy Program. “I am extremely proud of our multidisciplinary team for providing the significant expertise and best practices to achieve this recognition.”

The program’s emphasis on a comprehensive continuum of care model is underscored by the recent recruitment of pediatric epilepsy expert Douglas Nordli Jr., MD, chief of the Division of Neurology, and co-director of the Neurosciences Institute at CHLA with Mark D. Krieger, MD – Billy and Audrey Wilder Chair of the Division of Neurosurgery. By combining services and expertise from Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Neuro-psychology, Neuro-Radiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and Social Work, best practices and care are assured in the epileptic care of our young patients. CHLA, moreover, is currently ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery care in the 2016-17 U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospitals survey.

“This distinguished recognition is one of the many examples of what is amazing about Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” Nordli says. “Over the course of the last year, this multi-disciplinary team led by Dr. Holder, was able to assemble a high-quality program and receive the highest level accreditation. This is a true testament to the great work and dedication by our staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.”

About Children’s Hospital Los AngelesChildren's Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children’s hospital in California and among the top 10 in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. Children’s Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. Children’s Hospital is also one of America's premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

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