What is an epileptologist?
An epileptologist is a doctor who specializes in caring for people with epilepsy. Epileptologists are neurologists with specialized training and education in diagnosing and managing various kinds of seizures. Denver Health’s Level-4 Epilepsy Center has three adult epileptologists who work in our epilepsy clinic, manage the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, and conduct surgical workups for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Our Epileptologist Team
Dr. Archana Shrestha
Dr. Shrestha completed her medical degree, Neurology Residency and Research and Clinical Epilepsy Fellowships at the University of Colorado. She specializes in epilepsy, and EEG studies. She sees patients with seizures and interprets EEGs, MEG’s, video-EEG recordings and performs bedside and intra-operative cortical mapping. She manages seizure patients with anti-seizure medications, and neuro-modulatory devices such as Vagal Nerve Stimulators (VNS), Responsive Neuro-Stimulators (RNS) and Deep Brain Stimulators (DBS). She evaluates patients with refractory epilepsy/Drug-resistant epilepsy for surgical options and treatments. She has special interest in patients with intractable epilepsy, epilepsy surgery evaluation and seeing women with epilepsy especially regarding pregnancy counseling and prenatal epilepsy care.
Dr. Chad K. Bush
Dr. Bush is a graduate of the University of New Orleans. He obtained his medical degree and Master of Public Health at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed his neurology residency followed by an epilepsy fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He holds board certification through ABPN in Neurology and Epilepsy. He works as a neurologist and epileptologist, serving as Medical Co-director for the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, while serving on faculty as Assistant Professor of Neurology within the Department of Neurology at University of Colorado School of Medicine. While much of his clinical focus and research interests are surrounding surgical treatments for refractory epilepsy, he also enjoys education, spending time on teaching rounds with residents and medical students while covering inpatient general neurology services and engaging in other teaching opportunities for trainees. In his spare time, he really enjoys going to the mountains to ski and hike.
Dr. Michael Kolesnik
Dr. Kolesnik graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship year at St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, NY before going on to complete his neurology residency at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Hospital in Manhasset, NY where he served as chief resident in his final year. He completed his epilepsy fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He is dedicated towards his clinical practice, particularly interested in managing refractory epilepsy and addressing the social determinants of health for his patients. Additionally, he has a great interest in working with residents and medical students in educating the next generation of providers. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, watching hockey, and attending live music shows.
Dr. Danielle McDermott
Dr. Danielle McDermott is a dedicated and highly skilled, board-certified neurologist and epileptologist with 10+ years of patient care experience. Dr. McDermott is a Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society. Dr. McDermott combines extensive experience as an academic-based physician with expertise in surgical and clinical epilepsy, guiding invasive epilepsy surgeries in the epilepsy monitoring unit and providing complex medical and alternative options for people living with refractory seizures. Dr. McDermott has also translated her academic experience in neuroscience and rare disease to Clinical Development in the biotech industry, conceiving study designs, protocols, and interacting with regulatory agencies. Dr. McDermott is a professional and immensely knowledgeable senior healthcare leader. Prior to working at Denver Health, Dr. McDermott was at University of Colorado School of Medicine, holding the title of Associate Professor and Medical and Surgical Director of the EMU, leading program and project management, clinical trial investigation and evidence-based strategy. Prior to this, Dr. McDermott conceived the first epilepsy program at Kaiser Permanente at Saint Joseph Hospital, which gained NAEC Level 4 accreditation in 3 years of inception, earing the Kaiser Permanente Award for Resource Stewardship. Dr. McDermott serves as a mentor to medical students, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers in clinical preceptorships and through their career development. She is a strong advocate for people with epilepsy, through volunteer and non for profit and legislative advocacy, with a mission of creating better health and quality of life for others.