Epilepsy

The MetroHealth Hospital System Epilepsy program provides the MetroHealth community with specialized multidisciplinary, interprofessional epilepsy care.

The program offers:

• Expert management of patients with all types of epilepsy
• Access to the newest anti-seizure medications
• Specialized pregnancy and epilepsy clinic
• Pathway to surgical evaluation
• Neurostimulation programing of the Responsive Neurostimulation System (RNS), Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS), and Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS)
• Access to social work and mental health resources for patients with epilepsy
• Collaboration with the Epilepsy Association and Empowering Epilepsy and help navigating the associated resources
• Support staff to enable timely response to patient concerns
• Multiple clinic locations for expanded access

Call 216-778-3958 for an appointment.

Epilepsy Team-Based Care

In order to improve access to high-quality specialized epilepsy care, our practice uses a team-based care model with both an epilepsy specialist physician and two nurse practitioners.

When patients come to their appointments, they will be seen by either the nurse practitioner or physician, who will work collaboratively to manage the patient’s condition. By utilizing team-based care with a joint physician and nurse practitioner provider model, we can offer timely appointments for all patients. 

Epilepsy Team-Based Care

In order to improve access to high-quality specialized epilepsy care, our practice uses a team-based care model with both an epilepsy specialist physician and two nurse practitioners.

When patients come to the appointments, they will be seen by either the nurse practitioner or physician, who will work collaboratively to manage the patient’s condition. By utilizing team-based care with a joint physician and nurse practitioner provider model, we can offer timely appointments for all patients. 

Ebru Erbayat, MD is a Staff Physician, Neurologist and Epileptologist in the Department of Neurology.
Dr. Erbayat was appointed in March 2023 after 10 years of working as an epileptologist and a director of adult epilepsy Center at Medipol University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. 

She completed her Neurology residency and clinical fellowship in epilepsy and neurophysiology at Cleveland Clinic between 2007-2012.  She previously spent 6 years of epilepsy research, both clinical and experimental side at Washington University in St. Louis. Her specialty interests include clinical neurophysiology, neuroimaging, translational research and epilepsy surgery. 

Dr. Erbayat received her medical degree from Ankara University School of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey. She also completed her Neurology residency in Turkey and worked as a neurologist for few years before she came to the United States.

Virginia Edwards, APRN-CNP holds a Master's Degree in Nursing from the Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with many years of experience helping neurology patients achieve a state of health and independence. She has a special interest in working with people with epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Virginia has provided care to patients at MetroHealth since 2004 when she began as a registered nurse in the Neurosurgical and Spine Intensive Care Unit.  Virginia joined the neurology team as an Advanced Practice Nurse in 2007.  Virginia believes that enhanced communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are paramount in delivering quality care.

Get Involved

Empowering Epilepsy is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of free, monthly age-based support groups, resources, and free or low-cost family-friendly events for people living with epilepsy in Northeast Ohio. 

Join us to: 

• Meet others who understand epilepsy
• Learn strategies to better manage your seizures
• Discover ways to take charge of your life while living with seizures
• Make friends

The organization was created by people in Cleveland, Ohio directly affected by epilepsy.

Our goal is to create a caring community that allows people with epilepsy and their families to find active ways to manage their seizures and take charge of their lives. 

Visit Empoweringepilepsy.org to learn more about:

• Educational sessions
• Social events
• Virtual monthly Age Based Support Groups
• Yoga classes

Contact Information Leigh Goldie, M.Ed., Executive Director at [email protected] or 216-342-4167 or visit empoweringepilepsy.org. 

The Epilepsy Association is a local, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Cleveland, OH, that assists adults, children and families dealing with the challenges of epilepsy since 1953.

The Epilepsy Association offers a wide range of services, including adult mental health case management, individualized support for children & families to increase quality of life, and community education to promote awareness.

Professionally trained staff are skilled in epilepsy and mental health management and recognize the unique needs of individuals living with epilepsy. The agency provides epilepsy specific community-based services in Northeast Ohio. The Epilepsy Association is nationally accredited and incorporates evidence based practices into programming.

Contact Nicole Richter at 216-579-1330, extension 17 or at www.epilepsyinfo.org.