Lowcountry Epilepsy Meeting
On May 8th from 6-8 pm the MUSC Comprehensive Epilepsy Team is sponsoring an informal meeting for persons with epilepsy and their families. Come meet the Epilepsy Team and representatives from the Epilepsy Foundation of SC. We will be talking about resources for persons with epilepsy in the Lowcountry and would like your input. The meeting will be held at the MUSC College of Nursing Room 215, and parking is available in the Jonathan Lucas Street Garage. Refreshments will be served.
MUSC is a Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
MUSC is a LEVEL 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, meeting or exceeding all guidelines set by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers for level 4 status. Level 4 is the highest category, indicating extensive expertise and truly comprehensive care in the medical, social, psychological and surgical treatment of epilepsy.
Depression Screening in Youth with Epilepsy Grant
Children with epilepsy are more likely to have depressive symptoms and thoughts of suicide. However, depressive symptoms are often overlooked, and these children do not receive appropriate mental health treatment. Thus, Janelle Wagner, Ph.D., Gigi Smith CPNP, and Pam Ferguson, PhD were recently awarded a two year $75,000 grant “Depression Screening in Youth with Epilepsy” funded by the Partnership for Pediatric Epilepsy (American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation, Parents Against Childhood Epilepsy) to examine depressive symptoms in youth with epilepsy. This study will involve revision and validation of the NDDI-E for use with youth ages 12-17. Questionnaires will be completed during epilepsy clinic visits, and youth identified with depressive symptoms will be referred for mental health services.
SC Epilepsy Bill
On May 30, 2007, the South Carolina (SC) General Assembly passed Epilepsy Bill H 3135, and Governor Mark Sanford signed the bill on June 6, 2007. This bill was written by Braxton Wannamaker, MD, and John Holladay. It was sponsored by Representatives James E. Smith, Laurie S. Funderburk, and William F. Cotty, and Senators Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie. The bill establishes a study committee to develop a statewide comprehensive service delivery system for persons with epilepsy in SC. The committee will review both public and private resources to develop a specific plan for a coordinated approach to service delivery for people with epilepsy. Issues such as education, employment, healthcare, transportation, as well as healthcare funding will be reviewed. The committee includes representatives from the SC legislature, persons who have epilepsy or are family members, education specialists, disability specialists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, a physician and an advanced practice nurse. MUSC's Pediatric Neurology Nurse Practitioner, Gigi Smith, was appointed by the Governor as the advanced practice nurse serving on the committee. Dr. Braxton Wannamaker, who authored the bill and is an MUSC Neurosciences Faculty member, was appointed by the Governor to serve as a committee member also. Both Dr. Wannamaker and Ms. Smith have participated in the SC Epidemiological Studies of Seizure and Epilepsy Disorders study and the SC Health Outcome Project for persons with epilepsy study. These studies will provide much information for the study group about persons with epilepsy in SC. This is an exciting opportunity to assist in improving outcomes and quality of life for the more than 90,000 persons in SC who live with epilepsy. Stay tuned for more information!