About NAEC
NAEC is a non-profit association with a membership of more than 300 specialized epilepsy centers in the United States. The Association develops standards of care and promotes their adoption by epilepsy centers through its accreditation program. NAEC pursues an active agenda, educating public and private insurers, policymakers, and government officials about the complexities of and need for patient access to specialized epilepsy services.
NAEC was founded in 1987 by physicians committed to setting a national agenda for quality epilepsy care. NAEC is indebted to Robert J. Gumnit, M.D. for his stewardship of the organization from 1987 – 2010.
NAEC accomplishes its mission by:
NAEC Guidance Documents
- Bylaws (Adopted August 2019)
- Guidelines for Specialized Epilepsy Centers: Report of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers Guideline Panel (Published February 2024)
- NAEC 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (Published April 2022)
- Board Policy: Surveying NAEC Members and Release of NAEC Data (Adopted April 2014)
- Board Policy: NAEC Rural Centers Policy (Adopted September 2012)
Membership Benefits
NAEC membership provides level 3 and level 4 specialized epilepsy centers a unified voice for high quality epilepsy care. As a member, NAEC will advocate on behalf of your center; provide access to best practices and standards of care; and review your center for level 3 or 4 accreditation. We represent your interests, along with more than 300 epilepsy centers in the United States.
NAEC works for you, and with you.
- We define and support the development of the highest standards of specialized epilepsy care.
- We engage in continuous quality improvement of our standards through our accreditation process.
- We advocate for access to specialized epilepsy care for individuals seeking accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- We initiate positive changes in public and private reimbursement policies, legislation, and regulations that govern the way specialized epilepsy care is delivered in the U.S.
- We continually seek opportunities to improve coding, coverage and payment for epilepsy services by public and private payors.
- We collaborate with other epilepsy organizations to promote public health programs to encourage early intervention, accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for patients with epilepsy.
- We provide comprehensive resources to support the operations of epilepsy centers.
- We annually collect data from epilepsy centers to inform our operations and advocacy agenda.
- We help educate the public and other healthcare providers about the critical role that epilepsy centers play in caring for people with epilepsy across the country.
Get Started
The first step toward accreditation is to become a member of NAEC. As a member, NAEC will advocate on behalf of your center, provide access to best practices and standards of care, and review your center for level 3 or 4 accreditation. We represent your interests, along with more than 230 other epilepsy centers in the United States.
Board of Directors & Staff
The NAEC Board of Directors is comprised of physician leaders, all of whom are directly involved in the management of their epilepsy centers. From this perspective, the NAEC Board carries out the mission of the Association to enhance quality epilepsy care by supporting specialized epilepsy centers by setting standards of care, advocating for access to high quality epilepsy services, and providing centers the tools and resources to better serve their patients.
NAEC Board for 2023
Fred Lado, M.D., PhD
President
Hofstra Northwell Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Great Neck, NY
Stephan Schuele, M.D.
Vice President
Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Chicago, IL
Dave Clarke, M.D.
Secretary/Treasurer
UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program
Austin, TX
Ahmed Abdelmoity, M.D.
Children’s Mercy Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
Kansas City, MO
Kathryn Davis, M.D.
Penn Epilepsy Center
Philadelphia, PA
Jennifer Hopp, M.D.
University of Maryland Epilepsy Center
Baltimore, MD
Mohamad Koubeissi, M.D.
The Epilepsy Center at George Washington University Hospital
Washington, DC
Susan T. Herman, M.D.
Past President
Barrow Neurological Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Phoenix, AZ
NAEC Staff
Ellen Riker, MHA, Executive Director
Johanna Gray, MPA, Deputy Director
Barbara Small, Programs Manager