Wilson Disease Centers of Excellence

Expert Diagnosis, Comprehensive Care and Ongoing Support

Wilson Disease Centers of Excellence (WD COEs) are specialized medical centers dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of Wilson disease—a rare genetic disorder that causes harmful copper accumulation in the body, particularly in the liver and brain.

Whether you’re seeking a first-time diagnosis or need help managing ongoing care, a Wilson disease COE offers patients and their families the expertise and support they need.

How a COE Can Help:

  • Accurate Diagnosis from experts who understand the complex symptoms of Wilson disease
  • Multidisciplinary Care Teams including liver specialists, neurologists, dietitians, and more
  • Access to Advanced Treatments and clinical research opportunities
  • Long-Term Support for medication management, monitoring, and lifestyle guidance
  • Education and Resources to empower patients and families
Wilson Disease Centers of Excellence (WD COEs) are located across the United States, Europe, and India, forming a global network of expert care providers. A full list of current WD COEs, including contact information, is provided below. Medical centers interested in applying for WD COE designation can review the criteria and contact President Rhonda Rowland at Rhonda.Rowland@wilsonsdisease.org for more details.

Baylor College of Medicine-Texas Children’s Hospital
University of California, Davis
University of California at Los Angeles
University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems
University of Michigan Hospital
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Northwestern University
Ochsner Medical Center
Seattle Children’s Hospital
North Carolina Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Yale University Medical Center

Great Britain
Germany
India

When you call or e-mail to inquire about an appointment, be sure to mention that you are a Wilson disease patient.

United States Centers of Excellence

Baylor College of Medicine-Texas Children’s Hospital

Prasun Jalal, MD

Prasun Jalal, MD, Director
Assistant Professor
Abdominal Transplant & Liver Disease (Clinic)
Baylor Clinic
6620 Main Street, Suite 1450
Houston, TX 77030
E-mail: jalal@bcm.edu

Appointments: BSLMC clinic (832- 355-1471; fax: 713-610-2482; say you are a Wilson disease patient)

Sanjiv Harpavat, MD, PhD

Sanjiv Harpavat, MD, PhD, Director
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Texas Children’s Hospital (Clinic)
6621 Fannin St
Clinical Care Center Suite 1100
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 832-822-3671
E-mail: Harpavat@bcm.edu

Hepatology: Prasun Jalal, MD; Rise Stribling, MD; Saira Khaderi, MD

Hepatic Transplantation: John Goss, MD

Movement Disorders: Joseph Jankovic, MD

Neurology: Joseph Jankovic, MD

Research Coordinator: Youseph Karouni

University of California, Davis

Valentina Medici, MD

Valentina Medici, MD, Director
Professor
Vice Chief for Academic Affairs
Vice Chair for Research
Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
3160 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, California
Phone number for referrals: 800-482-3284
Fax number: 916-703-6048
Email: vmedici@health.ucdavis.edu

Appointments: phone (800-482-3284); fax (916-703-6048)
To check if a referral is received, call
1-916-734-8616 option #1 (hepatology)
1-916-734-3588 (neurology)
For additional questions regarding the Wilson disease Center of Excellence, please contact:
Richard 1-916-734-1907 (hepatology clinic)
Colleen 1-916- 734 3588 (neurology clinic)

Lin Zhang, MD, PhD

Lin Zhang, MD, PhD, Co-director
Professor
Department of Neurology
Director, the PF COE for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration
Chief, Movement Disorder Section
Phone number for referrals: 916-734-3588 or 800-482-3284
Fax number: 916-703-7911 or 916-734-6525
Email: mdzhang@health.ucdavis.edu

Hepatology: Valentina Medici, MD; Christopher Bowlus, MD; Vikrant Rachakonda, MD

Transplant Hepatology: Lydia Aye, MD

Liver Transplant and hepatobiliary surgery: Sophoclis P Alexopoulos, MD; Lea Matsuoka, MD

Neurology, Movement Disorders: Lin Zhang, MD, PhD; Kristina Hart, MD; Christopher Campos, MD; Jon Snider, MD

Psychiatry: Debrah Kahn, MD; Christina Lee, MD, MPH

APPs: Laura Sperry, RN, MSN, ANP-C; Teri Swanson, RN, MSN, ANP-C

Nutrition: Elaine Souza, RD

Otorinolaryngology: Arnaud F. Bewley, MD

Clinical Research Supervisor: Sandeep Dhaliwal, MD, CCRP, CCRC

Clinical Research Coordinator: Lara Rivera Ocumen, CCRC

For clinical trials, please contact:
Sandeep Dhaliwal MD, CCRP, CCRC 916-734-8696; sandhaliwal@ucdavis.edu)

University of California, Los Angeles

Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD

Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD, Director
UCLA Neurology Department
710 Westwood Plaza, Suite C128
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1769
E-mail: jbronste@mednet.ucla.edu

Appointments: Register at 310-794-1195, and then contact Elizabeth Ross (310-206-9799; emross@mednet.ucla.edu; fax: 310-206-9819)

Hepatology: Sammy Saab, MD

Hepatic Transplantation: Sammy Saab, MD

Movement Disorders: Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD

Neurology: Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD

Ophthalmology: Joseph Demer, MD, PhD

Nutrition: Erika Der Sarkissian

Research Coordinator: Diane Yang

Speech Therapy: Lisa Bolden

University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems (Miami, Florida)

Jason Margolesky, MD, FAAN

Jason Margolesky, MD, FAAN, Director
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology
Director, Neurology Residency Program
Vice Chair for Education, Department of Neurology
Movement Disorders Division
Email: jhmargolesky@med.miami.edu

Appointments: Neurology (305-243-3100, ask for Roxanna); Hepatology (305-243-4000)

Cynthia Levy, MD, FAASLD

Cynthia Levy, MD, FAASLD, Co-director
Professor of Medicine
Arthur Hertz Chair in Liver Diseases
Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases
Associate Director, Schiff Center for Liver Diseases
Email: clevy@med.miami.edu

Adult liver transplantation: Eric Martin, MD

Pediatric liver transplantation: Jenn Garcia, MD

Child Neurology: Roberto Lopez Alberola, MD

Ophthalmology: Jaime D Martinez, MD

Pediatric Ophthalmology: Angela Y Zhu, MD

Physical Therapy: Gemayaret Alvarez-Gonzalez, MD

Neuropsychology: Marina Sarno, PsyD

Speech Therapy: Tin Wai (Tiffany) Sui, MS

Nutrition: Christy Figueredo, MS, RD, CSP

Social Work: Floribeth M Arraut, MSW, LCSW

Research Coordinator: Maria Lourdes Olsen

University of Michigan Hospital

Fred Askari, MD, PhD

Fred Askari, MD, PhD, Director
Associate Professor
Liver Clinic
1st floor Taubman Center Area G
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Phone: 800-333-9013
Fax: 734-763-4574
E-mail: faskari@umich.edu

Appointments: 800-333-9013

Hepatology: Fred Askari, MD, PhD

Hepatic Transplantation: Fred Askari, MD, PhD

Movement Disorders: Matthew Lorincz, MD, PhD (adult); Martha Carlson, MD, PhD (pediatric)

Neurology: Matthew Lorincz, MD, PhD (adult); Martha Carlson, MD, PhD (pediatric)

Ophthalmology: Jonathon Trobe, MD

Pediatrics: Martha Carlson, MD, PhD

Psychiatry: Scot Winder, MD

Nutrition: Kelly Shehan, MS

Research Coordinator: Elizabeth Kovan

Speech Therapy: Karen Kluin, MS

Genetic Counselor: Jeffrey Innis, MD, PhD

Northwestern Medicine, Chicago

Danny Bega, MD, MSCI

Danny Bega, MD, MSCI, Director
Associate Professor of Neurology
Division of Movement Disorders
Feinberg School of Medicine
259 E Erie St., Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60611

Appointments: 312-695-7950 (Say you want to be treated for Wilson disease)

Amanda Cheung, MD

Amanda Cheung, MD, Co-director
Assistant Professor, Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
Feinberg School of Medicine
259 E Erie St., Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60611

Hepatology: Amanda Cheung, MD

Movement Disorders: Danny Bega, MD

Neurology: Danny Bega, MD

Pediatrics: Joanna Blackburn, MD (Lurie Children’s Hospital)

Psychiatry: Reuben Heyman-Kantor, MD

Nutrition: Laura Wargo, RD, LDN

Research Coordinator: ZsaZsa Brown (312-503-4121)

Social Work: Emily Zivin, MSW, LCSW

Genetic Counselor: Lisa Kinsley, MS, CGC

Ochsner Medical Center

Ryan Himes, MD, Director

Ryan Himes, MD, Director
Medical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant
Section Head, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Associate System Chair, Pediatric Subspecialties
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans
Email: Ryan.himes@Ochsner.org

Appointments: Adult Hepatology – Shelley Camardelle, RN, CCTC (Phone: 504-842-3925, Fax: 504-703-2310); Pediatric – Kayla Howard, RN (504-703-4898, Fax: 504-842-0160)

Hrishikesh Samant, MD, FACG, Co-director

Hrishikesh Samant, MD, FACG, Co-director
Associate Professor of Gastroenterology
Medical Director, Department of Hepatology
Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge
Program Director, Transplant Hepatology Fellowship
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans
Email: Hrishikesh.samant@Ochsner.org

Steven Young, MD, Co-director

Steven Young, MD, Co-director
Program Director, Gastroenterology Fellowship
Transplant Hepatologist
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans
Email: Steven.young@ochsner.org

Hepatology: Hrishikesh Samant, MD (Adult); Steven Young, MD (Adult); Ryan Himes, MD (Pediatric)

Hepatic Transplantation: George Therapondos, MD, Medical Director (Adult); Ari Cohen, MD, Surgical Director (Adult); John Seal, MD (Pediatric)

Movement Disorders: David Houghton, MD; Rachel B Rhinehart, PA-C, MPAS

Neurology: Sarah Breaux, MD (Adult); Kyle Paulk, MD (Adult); Pamela Rapiti (Pediatric)

Ophthalmology: Sidharth Puri, MD (Adult)

Pediatrics: Ryan Himes, MD (Hepatology); John Seal, MD (Liver transplantation); Pamela Rapiti (Neurology)

Psychiatry: Jennifer M Archie, MD

Nutrition: Megan Parker, RD LDN; Leslic Cenac

Physical Therapy: Abigail Hebert

Research Coordinator: Ashunti Pearson (senior clinical research coordinator)

Social Work: Tuba Villani, MSW, LCSW

Speech Therapy: Stephanie Currie

Genetic Counselor: Meredith Allain, MD

Pediatric Optometrist: Kefla Brown

University of Pittsburgh

Valerie Suski, DO

Valerie Suski, DO, Director
Associate Professor of Neurology
Division Chief, Movement Disorders Division
Director, Movement Disorders Fellowship
Director, UPMC HDSA Center of Excellence
3471 5th Avenue
Room 810
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: suskivr@upmc.edu

Appointments: 412-692-2286

Fei-Pi (Phoebe) Lin, MD (Co-Director)

Fei-Pi (Phoebe) Lin, MD, Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
UPMC Center for Liver Care
UPMC Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute
3459 5th Avenue
Montefiore, 7 South
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: linf3@upmc.edu

Hepatic Transplantation: Phoebe Lin, MD

Movement Disorders: Valerie Suski, DO; Jessica Kappel, PA-c

Ophthalmology: Islam Zaydan, MD (neuro-ophthalmology)

Pediatrics: Simon Horslen, MDMBChB, FRCPCH (hepatology/transplant); Robyn Filipink, MD (movement)

Psychiatry: Morgan Faeder, MD, PhD (neuropsychiatry)

Nutrition: Alexandra Peworchik, RDN, LDN, CDCES

Physical Therapy: Darcy Bo

Research Coordinators: Patty Conlon; Sherri Mosovsky, MPH, CPH; Deena Ratner, MPPM

Speech Therapy: Kirra Mediate, CCC-SLP

Women’s Neurology/Pregnancy: Denise Li, MD

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Sihoun Hahn, M.D., Ph.D., Director

Sihoun Hahn, MD, PhD, Director
Director, Pediatrics
Director, Biochemical Genetics Program
4800 Sand Point Way NE, Mailstop: OC.6.820
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: 206-987-7610
E-Mail: sihahn@u.washington.edu

Appointments: Olivia Moore, MBA, BSN, RN, CPN (206-987-3012; olivia.moore@seattlechildrens.org)

Pamela L. Valentino, M.D., M.Sc., Co-Director

Pamela L. Valentino, M.D., M.Sc., Co-Director
Liver & Intestinal Failure Clinical Center Director
Medical Director, Liver Transplantation Program
4800 Sand Point Way NE, Mails
Seattle, WA 98105

Hepatology: Pamela Valentino, MD

Hepatic Transplantation: Pamela Valentino, MD

Movement Disorders: Pam Mingbunjerdsuk, MD

Neurology: Pam Mingbunjerdsuk, MD

Pediatrics: Sihoun Hahn, MD; Pamela Valentino, MD

Psychiatry: Nina DeLacy, MD

Nutrition: Holly Stevens, MS, RDN, CD

Research Coordinator: Phi Duong, BS

Social Work: Gailon Wixon, MSW, LICW

Genetic Counselor: Erika Beekman, MS, CGC

North Carolina Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Sean R. Rudnick, MD

Sean Rudnick, MD, Director
Department of Internal Medicine
Section on Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Medical Center Boulevard Winston-Salem, NC 27157
E-Mail: Sean.Rudnick@advocatehealth.org

Appointments: Kyndall Brim (336-713-7777;  HepatologyAHWFB@advocatehealth.org

Hepatology: Bryan Badal, MD: Sarah Edmonds, PA; Michelle More, PA; Mark Russo, MD; Phillippe Zamor, MD; Paul Schmeltzer, MD; Andrew deLemos, MD; Steven Zacks, MD; Natasha Adlaka, MD

Hepatic Transplantation: David Levi, MD; Vincent Casingal, MD; Jose R Soto, MD; Lon Eskind, MD

Movement Disorders: Jessica Tate, MD; Ha Vo Green, MHS, MPH, PA; Jennifer Wood, PA

Neurology: Clark Pinyan, MD; James Crisp, MD

Ophthalmology: Michael Evans, MD

Pediatrics: Vanni Gopalareddy, MD (Hepatology)

Psychiatry: Sahil Munjal, MD

Nutrition: Kelli Davidson, MS, RD, LDN

Physical Therapy: Sarah Strahm; Kelly Lambeth

Research Coordinator: Dee Faust

Social Work: Abby C Waters, MSW (Charlotte); Emily Owen (Winston-Salem)

Speech Therapy: Rosemarie Hayes

Yale University

Michael Schilsky, MD

Michael Schilsky, MD, Director
Yale University School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street/1080 LMP
P.O. Box 208019
New Haven, CT 06520-8019
E-Mail: Michael.schilsky@yale.edu

Fed Ex Address:
One Gilbert Street FMP Bldg.,
Room FMP 408
New Haven, CT 06519

Appointments: Bryan Pierce (203-737-1592)

Hepatology: Michael Schilsky, MD (adult); Rima Fawaz (pediatric)

Movement Disorders: Amar Patel, MD (adult); Nigel Bamford, MD (pediatric)

Neurology: Amar Patel, MD (adult), Nigel Bamford, MD (pediatric)

Pediatrics: Rima Fawaz, MD

Psychiatry: Paula Zimbrean, MD

Psychology: Susan Rubman, PhD

Nutrition: Ann Marie Rivard

Research Coordinators: Asim Ulcay; Sefa Keserci; Cameron Groshek

Social Work: Lenore Hammers

UK/Europe Centers of Excellence

Heidelberg, Germany

Isabelle Mohr, MD, Director
Internal Medicine IV
Im Neuenheimer Feld 410
69120 Heidelberg Germany

Appointments: Isabelle Mohr, MD (MorbusWilson.MED4@med.uni-heidelberg.de)

Movement Disorders and Neurology: Markus Weiler, MD, PhD; Heike Jacobi, MD

Ophthalmology: Gerd U. Auffarth, MD

Pediatrics: G.F. Hoffmann, MD; Alexander Fichtner, MD

Psychiatry: Sabine Herpertz, MD

Nutrition: Ulrike Zech, MD

Physical Therapy: Silke Günther

Research Coordinators:  Andrea Langel; Jessica Langel

Social Workers: Catrin Bauer; Regine Remmert; Sandra Wendland

Speech Therapy: Silke Ruf

Royal Surrey Wilson Disease NHS Centre of Excellence

Aftab Ala, MD, PhD

Aftab Ala, MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCP, Director
Consultant Hepatologist
National Institute of Health and Research
Lead Hepatology
South East England

Appointments: aftab.ala1@nhs.net

Hepatology: Aftab Ala, MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCP

Hepatic Transplantation: Varuna Aluvihare, MD; Claire Kelly, MD

Movement Disorders: Jan Coebergh, MD

Neurology: Jan Coebergh, MD

Ophthalmology: Simon Taylor, MD

Pediatrics: Ozan Hansi, MD

Psychiatry: David Okai, MD

Nutrition: Charmian Banks, MD

Research Coordinator: Laura Gordon

India Centers of Excellence

Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, India

Aabha Nagral, MD

Aabha Nagral, MD, Director
Consultant Adult and Pediatric Hepatologist
O-18, Bhavna Building 2nd floor
Veer Savarkar Road
Prabhadevi Clinic
Mumbai-400025
India

Appointments: Kalyan Jadhav (932 114 1607; jaslokdirector@gmail.com)

Hepatology: Aabha Nagral, MD

Hepatic Transplantation: Aabha Nagral, MD

Movement Disorders: Pettarusp Wadra, MD

Neurology: Pettarusp Wadra, MD

Ophthalmology: Atril Ursekar, MD

Pediatrics: Aabha Nagral, MD: Fazal Nabi, MD

Psychiatry: Nirmee Shah, MD

Nutrition: Safala Mahadrk

Physical Therapy: Reena Javkar, MD

Research Coordinator: Sukhada Thorat

Social Work: Ruchita Msurkar

Speech Therapy: Shehuar Shaikh

KEM Hospital, India

Ashish Bavdekar, MBBS, DNB, DCH

Ashish Bavdekar, MD, Director
Associate Professor
Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Liver and Gastroenterology Unit
Department of Pediatrics
T.D.H. Building, Ground Floor
K.E.M. Hospital, Rasta Peth
Pune 411011
India
Phone: 91-20-66037342
Mobile: 98220 56174
Fax: 91-020-26125603
E-mail: peds@kemhrcpune.org or a.bavdekar@kemhrcpune.org

 Appointments: Mahendra Hoge (+91 98816 78152; peds@kemhrcpune.org; ashish.bavdekar1@gmail.com)

Hepatology: Ashish Bavdekar, MD (Pediatric); Sheetal Mahajani, MD (Adult)

Hepatic Transplantation: Snehavardhan Pandey, MD (Pediatric); Bipin Vibhute, MD (Adult)

Movement Disorders: Dhairyashil Saste, MD

Neurology: Abhijeet Botre, MD (Pediatric), Dhairyashil Saste, MD (Adult)

Pediatrics: Ashish Bavdekar, MD

Psychiatry: Vasudeo Paralikar, MD

Nutrition: Smita Kokitkar

Physical Therapy: Shilpa Saste

Research Coordinator: Shruti Inamdar, MD

Social Work: Mahendra Hoge

Speech Therapy: Krutika Gajane

Pediatric Nephrologist – Jyoti Sharma, MD

Clinical Geneticist – Chaitanya Datar, MD

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon – Sameer Desai, MD

Clinical Psychologist – Madhavi Deshpande

Updated August 2025

Wilson Disease Centers of Excellence Policy

The WDA is a national 501 (c)(3) organization, with global presence in over fifty other countries, serving as an advocate and resource for individuals and families dealing with Wilson´s disease. It disseminates scientific, clinical and adaptive information to its members and the treating community through direct communications, printed materials and its excellent web site (https://www.wilsondisease.org). It has an active membership, regular board and membership meetings, and adequate finances to meet its organizational objectives.

Designation as a Wilson Disease Center of Excellence would likely result in the referral of approximately five new pediatric/adult patients annually. They would be patients with acute and chronic illnesses. Wilson Disease patient will require care form hepatologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, dieticians, physical and rehabilitation therapist, social workers, speech therapist and a hepatic transplantation program. Since the United States´ Wilson disease population reflects the general population, a significant number will be adequately insured.

As a Wilson Disease Center of Excellence, a medial institution would have:
• Access to patients with fascinating and challenging genetic disease who will benefit from, and live normal lives with, first quality medical care
• an opportunity for research in cooper metabolism and its genetic links
• benefit of the WDA´s efforts to support educational outreach to healthcare professionals

While Wilson disease has become a subject of media attention, it is not likely that designation as a Center of Excellence will significantly enhance the institution´s reputation. However, it will augment its educational mission.

In designating an academic medical center as a Center of Excellence, the WDA seeks to identify a medical center which will render the highest quality care to acutely presenting and chronically ill Wilson disease patients involving hepatology, neurology, nutritional consultation, psychiatry, ENT, physical and rehabilitative medicine and speech therapy. As a Center of Excellence, an institution must provide a site where:
• One or more health care professionals will enthusiastically commit to the care of Wilson disease patients and will coordinate every facet of their care
• Physicians are well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Wilson Disease
• Education of the nest generation of physicians to care for these patients will occur
• Clinical diagnostic laboratory studies for metal analysis and related testing are performed
• Basic research into the underlying pathophysiology of disorders of cooper metabolism is conducted, and new experimental therapies for this disorder can be evaluated
• Patient, family, public and continuing medical education are promoted.

In addition, the medical center, through its designated faculty, must be willing to act as an educational and consultative resource to patients, physicians and other health care professional concerning the diagnosis, treatment and management of Wilson disease. It is also of great importance that communications between the institution and the Wilson Disease Association be easily facilitated as appropriate. The Center of Excellence will be willing to participate and support WDA initiatives (e.g. Tissue Banking, New Born Screening).

In order to be considered for the designation, the interested partly should submit a proposal to the WDA President outlining the institution´s plan to meet the above criteria. Names, qualifications, and prior experience with treating Wilson disease of each team member should be included. The actual selection of the Center of Excellence will be done by the WDA Beard of Directors, with the advice of its Professional Affairs Committee and input from the Medical Advisory Committee. In order to remain a Center of Excellence, WDA will recertify at least once every three years by questionnaire and will keep Website updated. Completion of the questionnaire is required and failure to comply many result in revocation of the Center of Excellence status.

WILSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION

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