Dr. D.J. Bernat joined WVU Medicine in 2022 after completing a two-year fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to this, he completed an internship at the Fraser Child and Family Center in Minneapolis. He earned his Ph.D. in School Psychology with a focus in Neuropsychology from Ball State University and also completed a specialist degree in School Psychology at The College of Saint Rose.

Dr. Bernat specializes in evaluation of epilepsy patients, including those being considered for neurosurgery. He serves as a member of the multidisciplinary Neuromuscular, Cerebral Palsy, and Myelomeningocele clinics, and was recently appointed the Associate Director of the Pediatric Neuropsychology Fellowship at WVU Medicine as well as frequently supervising and teaching additional trainees such as interns, fellows, and medical students. His research interests include multidisciplinary care for patients with complex medical conditions, transition planning for patients transitioning from pediatric to adult care, and the relationship between autism and neurological conditions such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy. In 2023, Dr. Bernat was invited to contribute to the updated Specific Learning Disabilities Evaluation and Eligibility Guidance document by the West Virginia Department of Education. He serves as a member of the Neuropsychology Spina Bifida Work Group, a national organization of neuropsychologists who specialize in research and clinical care for patients with Spina Bifida and related disorders.