Children with seizure disorders should be evaluated by a pediatric epileptologist, who is a neurologist specializing in epilepsy in children. The best place to be evaluated is at a major center for pediatric epilepsy, where a full range of treatment options are available. The Weill Cornell Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is nationally known for its comprehensive treatment and ground-breaking research into epilepsy in both adults and children. At the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center's Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program, pediatric epileptologists work closely with pediatric neurological surgeons in determining which children are candidates for surgery for a pediatric seizure disorder.
Caitlin Hoffman, M.D., is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in pediatric neurosurgery as well as pediatric and adult epilepsy surgery. She has completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery with a focus on surgical epilepsy. Dr. Hoffman is a member of the Weill Cornell Medicine Laser Surgery Program and is specially trained in new laser surgery techniques for epilepsy. Dr. Hoffman has been named to the list of New York SuperDoctors in neurosurgery every year since 2020. More about Dr. Hoffman
Theodore H. Schwartz, MD, specializes in the surgical treatment of epilepsy, brain tumors, and pituitary tumors using the latest techniques in computer-guided surgical navigation, minimally invasive endoscopy, and microsurgery. Dr. Schwartz has been named to the lists of New York's Super Doctors, Best Doctors in New York, America's Top Surgeons, America's Best Doctors, and America's Best Doctors for Cancer. More about Dr. Schwartz
Dr. Heidi A. Bender is an award-winning, board-certified neuropsychologist and the director of neuropsychological services at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center. Dr. Bender has expertise in evaluating patients to determine if they are candidates for epilepsy surgery, in special procedures such as the intraoperative testing of patients during awake craniotomies, and in cognitive remediation therapies appropriate for patients with a wide variety of cognitive challenges (i.e., after neurological surgery, cerebrovascular accidents, and other events). Dr. Bender has a special interest in the neuropsychological needs of non-native English speakers and patients born outside of the United States, and is active in professional groups working to reduce disparities in healthcare. More about Dr. Bender
