Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Program

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is recognized as one of the leading centers for pediatric epilepsy treatment in the United States. The program stands out due to its accreditation as a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, a designation that is reserved for hospitals capable of treating the most complex seizure disorders. This ensures that children with epilepsy receive expert and comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.

One of the core missions of the program is to improve the quality of life for children experiencing seizures. The multidisciplinary team includes pediatric neurologists, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, genetic counselors, social workers, and dietitians. This collaborative approach allows the creation of personalized treatment plans that address not only the medical management of seizures but also the emotional, developmental, and educational needs of the child and their family 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The program emphasizes an integrated training curriculum that encompasses a wide range of epilepsy-related medical practices. Trainees participate in rotations that incorporate hands-on experience in various settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and specialized epilepsy monitoring units. This experiential learning is designed to ensure that participants acquire in-depth knowledge of seizure disorders and the latest treatment modalities.

Treatments and Services

Cincinnati Children's offers a plethora of treatment options to manage epilepsy effectively. These services include:

• Medication Management: Patients receive individual evaluations from clinical pharmacists who are experts in pediatric epilepsy medications 8.
• Ketogenic and Modified Atkins Diets: These diets serve as effective alternatives for some children whose seizures are resistant to traditional medications.
• Surgical Interventions: The Epilepsy Surgery Program focuses on children whose seizures have not responded adequately to two or more anti-epileptic medications. More than 2,500 surgical patients have been treated since the program's inception, emphasizing its extensive surgical expertise.

Moreover, cutting-edge technologies, such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) for brain mapping and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are employed to identify seizure origins and ensure precision in surgical interventions 1.

Research Opportunities

A hallmark of the program is its commitment to research. Physicians are actively engaged in clinical studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at discovering new treatment options and improving care for patients with epilepsy. Research efforts investigate various innovative strategies, including personalized medicine and gene therapy 1.

Training Sites

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center operates in multiple locations, all easily accessible for families. Notable facilities include:

• Burnet Campus
• Green Township
• Mason Campus
• Liberty Campus
• Fort Wayne at Parkview Regional Medical Center

These locations are strategically designed to provide convenient access to specialized care across the Cincinnati area 4.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

The program is open to international medical graduates (IMGs) and is considered friendly towards DO and IMG applicants, creating a diverse environment for training. The program offers visa sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types, facilitating the acceptance of international trainees.

Specific application requirements exist for candidates, including a limit on the number of failed STEP exams and a year of graduation stipulation. The program’s selection process is highly competitive, reflecting its reputation and quality of training.

Patient-Centered Care

The program adopts a family-centered approach where family members are involved in treatment decisions. Additionally, resources such as the Family Resource Center offer support services for families navigating the challenges associated with chronic seizure disorders 9.

In summary, the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital embodies a holistic approach to managing and treating childhood epilepsy, underscored by state-of-the-art technology, extensive treatment options, and a commitment to research and family-centered care.