MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, a joint program with the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, has been designated a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers for 2026-28.
The recognition places the center among an elite group of programs in the United States equipped to deliver the most advanced diagnostic and surgical evaluation and treatment for children with complex or drug-resistant epilepsy.
“This is the highest designation that can be awarded and reflects an exceptional level of proficiency and skill in caring for children with epilepsy by the providers, nurses, technologists and support staff of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program,” P. David Adelson, M.D., chair of Children’s Neurosciences, said. “This particularly shows the capability of caring for the most complicated children with drug-resistant epilepsy.”
The WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center became a standalone National Association of Epilepsy Centers member, separate from the existing RNI Adult Epilepsy Center, in 2024. In its first year, the center earned Level 3 designation. In just its second year of independent operation, it advanced to Level 4.
“This could only happen in coordination with the Children’s Neuroscience Center of the RNI and with the wonderful collaboration from our neurophysiology technologists, nursing, social work, ketogenic dietician and administrative team, as well as all the other team members,” Adelson said.
The National Association of Epilepsy Centers is a nonprofit organization that sets national standards and supports specialized epilepsy centers across the United States.
A Level 4 center is designed to serve patients whose seizures do not respond adequately to medication, offering advanced diagnostic monitoring, multidisciplinary care, neuropsychological and psychosocial services and evaluation for epilepsy surgery and other specialized treatments. These centers serve as regional referral hubs for the most complex epilepsy cases.
“In the last few years, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized that children have specific and unique needs compared to adult patients and has required pediatric programs to be able to provide this high level of care independently,” Lawrence D. Morton, M.D., chief of Pediatric Neurology, said. “No longer can health systems just have a pediatric provider and then be designated as a shared adult and pediatric program.”
For families in West Virginia and the surrounding region, the Level 4 designation means access to the full spectrum of advanced epilepsy care, including surgical evaluation and treatment. For children living with drug-resistant epilepsy, access can be life changing.
