A critical mission of the Neurology department at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is to provide highly skilled diagnostic services and personalized, comprehensive care for neurological disorders, at a level of expertise typically only available at academic tertiary medical centers. The following list of clinics were developed to support those living with epilepsy and their caregivers.

Epilepsy Pregnancy Clinic

Goal: To provide patients with epilepsy who are pregnant with anti-seizure medication monitoring, peripartum counseling and breastfeeding recommendations to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery for the mother and baby.

This clinic is supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising epilepsy experts and maternal fetal medicine specialists. We work together to monitor anti-seizure medication serum levels on a monthly basis, provide trimester-specific peripartum counseling and offer folic acid recommendations. Additionally, we have extensive discussions on breastfeeding recommendations, common postpartum seizure triggers and general postpartum safety. We see patients one time during each trimester and at a three-month postpartum visit. After this period of time, the patient returns to their original epilepsy provider or neurologist for their long-term care.

Lead Physician: Sarita Maturu, DO
Additional team members of the clinic: Danielle Becker, MD

Epilepsy Transition Clinic

Goal: To successfully transition and transfer care of the young adult and adolescent epilepsy population from pediatric care to an adult-focused center.

Adolescents and young adults often have a difficult time transitioning and transferring care from pediatric facilities to an adult-focused center. Pediatric epileptologists and neurologists assess for transition “readiness” and, when appropriate, patients are referred to the adult epileptologist for transfer of care. Both the pediatric and adult epileptologist are present during this initial appointment, which takes place at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, to ensure a smooth transition.

Our initial appointment also includes a social worker, pharmacist, neuropsychologist and nutritionist. This clinic is for Nationwide Children’s Hospital referrals only.

Lead Physician: Sarita Maturu, DO
Additional providers in this clinic: Nabil Khandker, MD, Jaime Twanow

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Event (PNEE) Clinic

Goal: To help patients diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic events identify triggers and learn compensatory strategies to manage their signs and symptoms.

This clinic is led by a licensed social worker dedicated to teaching patients with psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) compensatory behavioral therapies to ultimately decrease and ideally stop these spells from occurring. The social worker enrolls a patient in a six- to eight-week therapy process to help identify symptom triggers and learn both cognitive and behavioral strategies. If the patient requires more targeted therapy after this period of time, then they’ll be referred for further individual counseling. These visits are held virtually.

Lead Physician: Sarita Maturu, DO
Lead Social Worker: Emily Webster, LISW