Institute At Hoag Earns Level 4 Epilepsy Center Designation

From Hoag: On April 1, 2019, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) designated the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute’s Epilepsy Program at Hoag as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, the highest level of accreditation.

This prestigious accreditation recognizes the Institute’s Epilepsy Program for having the professional expertise and resources necessary to provide the most advanced and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. Epilepsy programs are assessed for accreditation based on numerous factors including volume of patients treated, capacity for advanced epilepsy-related neuroimaging, video-EEG monitoring, neuropsychological and psychosocial treatment, and neurosurgeons with expertise in a variety of epilepsy-related surgical procedures.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized nationally as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center,” said David Millett, M.D., Ph.D., the Epilepsy Program’s director. “Achieving this designation is a testament to our Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute team and the comprehensive approach they take when it comes to improving our patients’ overall quality of life.”

As a level 4 center, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute provides comprehensive treatment through a patient-centered, integrated approach with a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Utilizing the best in evidence-based practice, state-of-the-art technology and advanced research, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag is a leading resource for epilepsy patients and their caregivers in Southern California.

With support from the Nancy & Bill Thompson Neurosciences Excellence Fund, the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute’s Epilepsy Program has recently expanded to provide comprehensive epilepsy services for under- and uninsured Orange County residents who have limited or no access to advanced epilepsy care. Collaborating with Lestonnac Free Clinic in Orange, Dr. Millett and the team from the Institute provide medical consultations and access to services such as epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation treatment (VNS), clinical research studies and other definitive treatments to address a population with limited access to advanced care.

“Epilepsy is the fourth-most common neurological problem, affecting more than 3 million Americans,” Dr. Millett explained. “Our goal is to provide more individuals access to quality care that is tailored to their individual needs, which is critical to the management of this condition.”