
Overview
Rifali Patel, MD, specializes in pediatric neurological disorders with a major focus on pediatric epilepsy, including new-onset seizures, drug-resistant childhood epilepsy- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Doose syndrome, epilepsy surgery and status epilepticus.She treats all types of epilepsy in children of all ages by using diagnostic tools, such as video EEG monitoring and routine EEGs, and genetic testing and neuroimaging. Dr. Patel offers anti-epileptic medications and surgical and dietary treatments to control seizures and reduce those risks so your child can live a safer, healthier life.Dr. Patel has training in pediatric neurology and pediatric neurophysiology, with a pediatric epilepsy-focused fellowship at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. She also completed pediatric residency at Woodhull Hospital at NYU Langone School of Medicine in New York.Dr. Patel also has expertise in diagnosing developmental delays, cerebral palsy, pediatric stroke, headache disorders, tic disorders, autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disorders, pediatric neuromuscular disease, psychological non-epileptic events, traumatic brain injury and genetic conditions affecting brain development.She has experience in diagnosing and managing dizziness, POTS, dysautonomia, headaches, somatic and functional disorders, developmental delay, concussion and neurovascular disorders.
Dr. Patel is highly rated in 97 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, Seizures, Dravet Syndrome, and Memory Loss.
She is actively involved in clinical research, co-authoring 3 peer reviewed articles. Dr. Patel is currently accepting new patients.
Specialties
Licenses
Languages Spoken
Gender
Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- PPO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- OTHER MEDICAID
- STATE MEDICAID
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE PDP
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- PPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- POS
Locations
330 Laurel St., Suite 1200, Des Moines, IA 50314
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
MercyOne Ruan Neurology Care
Heike Schmolck, MD, specializes in neurology at MercyOne Ruan Neurology Care in Des Moines, Iowa. I am a behavioral neurologist, which means I have special training in the treatment of memory disorders and dementing illnesses, but I also see general neurology patients for headaches, stroke, seizures etc. I grew up in the Rhine River Valley in Germany, with the Black Forest on one side and France on the other.I went to Medical School in Freiburg, Germany, graduating in 1994. I spent several months doing clinical electives in the US in 1992 and 1994. I started a medical dissertation on memory disorders while in medical school, and finished it in 1996. I worked in inpatient neurology for three years, but also ran the memory clinic with a colleague during that time. In 1998, I started a postdoctoral fellowship at UCSD in California, doing work with human amnesia patients for two years. Following this, I decided to continue my career in the US, and had to redo a medical internship which I did in Iowa City, and then a neurology residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. I stayed on for a two year fellowship in Behavioral Neurology/Neuropsychiatry.I am married with three boys, and enjoy gardening, hiking and photography. We have a flock of funny chickens, two cats, two bunnies and many fish. As neurologists we don't usually cure our patients, so my passion is for achieving the highest possible quality of life for them, build a relationship and walk the walk together, wherever it may lead. Dr. Schmolck is highly rated in 41 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Cerebellar Degeneration, and Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Schmolck is currently accepting new patients.
Children's Eye Clinic PC
Lynn Struck is a Neurologist practicing medicine in West Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Struck is highly rated in 21 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorders, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, and Essential Tremor.
MercyOne Ruan Neurology Care
Paul Babikian, MD, specializes in neurology at MercyOne Ruan Neurology Care in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Babikian is highly rated in 29 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Seizures, Epilepsy, Memory Loss, and Lafora Disease. Dr. Babikian is currently accepting new patients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. Rifali Patel
How do I make an appointment with Dr. Rifali Patel?
You can book an appointment with Dr. Rifali Patel by calling their office at 515-643-6290. MediFind provides direct contact information so you can schedule visits, second opinions, or consultations without navigating third-party calendars.
Is Dr. Rifali Patel a top-rated expert for Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure?
MediFind is an objective health platform that identifies experts based on real-world data. Dr. Rifali Patel is classified as an Advanced expert for Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, meaning they are among the top experts in the country for this condition. This ranking is based on their volume of patients, published research, and peer connections.
What conditions does Dr. Rifali Patel specialize in?
While Dr. Rifali Patel is a Pediatric Neurology, they have specific expertise in Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, Seizures, and Dravet Syndrome. MediFind analyzes a doctor's articles and referral patterns to identify their specific areas of focus within Pediatric Neurology.
Does Dr. Rifali Patel participate in research or clinical trials?
Yes. Dr. Rifali Patel has published 3 articles and abstracts on conditions like Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure. You can view a list of Dr. Rifali Patel's latest peer-reviewed publications and clinical trial participation on their profile to see if they are active in new treatments.
Does Dr. Rifali Patel accept my insurance?
Dr. Rifali Patel accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna and Anthem BCBS. We recommend calling the office directly at 515-643-6290 to verify that your specific plan is currently accepted before your visit.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Advanced
- 2q37 Deletion SyndromeDr. Patel isAdvanced. Learn about 2q37 Deletion Syndrome.
- 47 XYY SyndromeDr. Patel isAdvanced. Learn about 47 XYY Syndrome.
- Aase SyndromeDr. Patel isAdvanced. Learn about Aase Syndrome.
- Abruzzo-Erickson SyndromeDr. Patel isAdvanced. Learn about Abruzzo-Erickson Syndrome.
- Absence SeizureDr. Patel isAdvanced. Learn about Absence Seizure.
- Acrodermatitis EnteropathicaDr. Patel isAdvanced. Learn about Acrodermatitis Enteropathica.
- Experienced
- 15q11.2 MicrodeletionDr. Patel isExperienced. Learn about 15q11.2 Microdeletion.
- Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)Dr. Patel isExperienced. Learn about Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM).
- Agyria Pachygyria PolymicrogyriaDr. Patel isExperienced. Learn about Agyria Pachygyria Polymicrogyria.
- AphantasiaDr. Patel isExperienced. Learn about Aphantasia.
- Arachnoid CystsDr. Patel isExperienced. Learn about Arachnoid Cysts.
- Autism Spectrum DisorderDr. Patel isExperienced. Learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

