Patterson joins USA Health to expand pediatric neurology, epilepsy care
Her passions include caring for infants, children, and adolescents with a broad range of neurologic conditions, both in the inpatient and critical care settings, as well as children of all ages with complex epilepsy in the outpatient setting.
By Casandra Andrews
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Children and families across the Gulf Coast will benefit from expanded access to specialized neurological care with the addition of Kelsey Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., who recently joined USA Health as director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program. She also has been appointed assistant professor of pediatrics and neurology at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.
Patterson brings a combination of advanced clinical training, scientific discovery, and a passion for education to the role. She earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in cell, developmental and integrative biology through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where her research focused on the neurological and developmental mechanisms underlying Rett syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Following medical school and graduate training, Patterson completed her residency in child neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she served as chief resident for inpatient neurology and quality improvement. She then completed a fellowship in pediatric epilepsy at the University of Colorado, gaining advanced expertise in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and complex seizure disorders in children.
In her new role, Patterson will lead the continued growth of comprehensive pediatric epilepsy services at USA Health by helping expand access to specialized neurologic care for children throughout the Gulf Coast region. She will also contribute to the academic mission through teaching and mentorship of medical students and residents. Her passions include caring for infants, children, and adolescents with a broad range of neurologic conditions, both in the inpatient and critical care settings, as well as children of all ages with complex epilepsy in the outpatient setting.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Patterson to USA Health and the Whiddon College of Medicine,” said Benjamin Estrada, M.D., FAAP, FPIDS, professor and chair of pediatrics. “Her advanced training in child neurology and pediatric epilepsy, combined with her outstanding background as a physician-scientist, will strengthen our growing pediatric neurosciences program and expand access to highly specialized care for children across the Gulf Coast. We look forward to the many contributions she will make to the care of children and families in our region, as well as to our educational and research missions.”
Patterson's scholarly work reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing the understanding of neurological disease. Her research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Human Molecular Genetics, Glia, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Acta Neuropathologica, and Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. She has presented her work at national meetings of the American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, and the Society for Neuroscience.
In addition to her clinical and research accomplishments, Patterson is recognized as a gifted educator. She received the 2022 University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics Medical Student Teaching Award and has actively participated in mentoring, teaching, and community outreach throughout her career.
