Epilepsy is a condition that can have a strong effect on your quality of life. That’s why Norton Neuroscience Institute is committed to improving epilepsy care for all of our patients through a comprehensive epilepsy center.

Our patients have access to epilepsy specialists and a network of providers with expertise in many specialties, so the epilepsy center is truly a one-stop shop for epilepsy care.

Epilepsy is a brain condition. In people with epilepsy, abnormal brain activity causes repeated seizures (SEE-zjurs). Some patients stop having seizures after getting treatment, and some patients need ongoing care from a team of epilepsy specialists who are working with other kinds of specialists.

Norton Neuroscience Institute as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center. The designation means we provide the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. Our expertise includes:

• Evaluating the brain and how well it is working (complex, intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring)
• Extensive medical, neuropsychological and psychosocial treatment – these treatments include not only your physical health but your mental well-being
• Complete evaluation for epilepsy surgery, including evaluation for intracranial electrodes
• A broad range of surgical procedures for epilepsy

Team Approach

Norton Neuroscience Institute epilepsy specialists work to achieve the best possible health outcomes for you. Our neurologists (noo-RAH-luh-jists), neurosurgeons and other specialist providers collaborate to tailor a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. This multidisciplinary approach means your care plan is created especially for you.

Our epilepsy care teams include:

• Seizure specialists (providers who have a background and training in seizure disorders)
• Neurologists (doctors who focus on brain disorders and who have special expertise in epilepsy)
• Neurosurgeons (doctors who perform surgeries that relate to epilepsy)
• Patient navigators (usually nurses who help patients find education and support resources)

Advanced Treatment Facilities

We provide the most advanced treatment for patients at our state-of-the-art epilepsy clinics, including the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Norton Brownsboro Hospital in northeastern Louisville. Norton Neuroscience Institute also offers a First Seizure Clinic to provide rapid and accurate diagnosis after the onset of seizure symptoms.

Comprehensive Care at Norton Neuroscience Institute

The comprehensive epilepsy center at Norton Neuroscience Institute offers patients in Louisville and Southern Indiana the personalized support you need at every step. We listen to you and develop a plan for your unique condition. You will work with the same team of epilepsy experts from diagnosis throughout treatment, so we can get to know you and your needs.

Norton Neuroscience Institute offers comprehensive care for epilepsy, which means we see patients across the full spectrum of the disorder. Our comprehensive epilepsy care program includes:

• First Seizure Clinic, where you can see a doctor within the week to receive a basic evaluation after your first seizure
• Treatment options ranging from medication and diet management to surgical therapies
• Comprehensive pre-surgical evaluations for patients with refractory epilepsy (a condition where medications are not effectively controlling epilepsy)
• Typically, a less than two-week waiting period to get into the epilepsy monitoring unit; neurosurgery appointments in less than two days
• Therapy individualized for you and directed by a multidisciplinary team of epilepsy care physicians
• Patient support services, including psychiatry and physical, occupational and cognitive therapies
• Free educational seminars for you, your family and for providers in our community who care for patients with epilepsy

Patient Navigators

Patient navigators are nurses designated to support patients through their epilepsy care journey at Norton Healthcare. Patient navigators consult with you and your caregivers about medical and personal matters. Their services are free and available as often as you need them.

For epilepsy patients:

Stacy Olliges, R.N.
Epilepsy Nurse Navigator
stacy.olliges@nortonhealthcare.org

A patient navigator can:

• Educate you and your family members about your epilepsy diagnosis, available treatments, and managing disease
• Help you take full advantage of a multidisciplinary team of health care providers who can offer their specialized insights as part of a coordinated approach to care
• Assist with accurate and timely communication between you, your primary caregivers, and your health care providers
• Connect you and your family members with appropriate resources at Norton Healthcare and in Louisville and Southern Indiana
• Identify and address any barriers to make sure you have access to high-quality care.

Care That’s Focused on You

It’s part of Norton Neuroscience Institute’s goal to care for the whole person, not just the condition.

• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers offer ways to improve your access to care, provide valuable information on managing your disease and address your quality of life issues. The Norton Healthcare Foundation funds this important service, so patients don’t need to pay.
• Dedicated patient navigators can help schedule follow-up appointments, coordinate prescription assistance, create customized diet plans and provide guidance on disability benefits, housing, financial and employment concerns and more.
• Patients can access support groups, exercise classes and other educational events to connect with others and learn how to make the most of life while managing a neurological condition. 
• Access an on-demand video library of educational content across a variety of condition-related topics is available.
• We want to help prevent illness. Get help quitting smoking and learn the signs of stroke.
• Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a computer or mobile device with a free Norton MyChart account.

A Louisville Leader in Neurological Care

More patients from Louisville and Southern Indiana seek their neurology and neurosurgery care from Norton Neuroscience Institute’s nationally recognized specialists than any other providers in the area.

Your Norton Neuroscience Institute medical provider has the expertise, experience, diagnostic tools and sophisticated treatments to provide care tailored to your needs.

• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists are dedicated to providing innovative care to those with brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgery equipment can speed your recovery and minimize pain.
• Multidisciplinary clinics provide easy access to care in one convenient appointment for your neurological condition, with specialists in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and behavioral health.

• Norton Healthcare was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as high performing for stroke care, exceeding national averages.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville each were awarded a 2023 American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines – Stroke designation for stroke care. Norton Brownsboro Hospital received the highest possible award — Gold Plus.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville are certified by DNV.
  • Norton Brownsboro Hospital is recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, representing the highest level of stroke care.
  • Norton Audubon Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.
  • Norton Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.
  • Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has been designated a Center for Comprehensive MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a level 4 epilepsy center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit is recognized with a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.
• We are listed by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 100 great neurosurgery and spine programs.