Epilepsy Workshop, Social to be Held in September

LOMA LINDA>> Individuals and families who have been affected by epilepsy are invited to attend the Epilepsy Workshop & Social event Sept. 18, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Loma Linda University Health Drayson Center, located at 25040 Stewart Street, Loma Linda. Co-sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and Loma Linda University Health, the event is intended to connect patients and their families to information and resources about epilepsy. “We are excited to be a part of this event which we expect will benefit many lives,” said Dr. Travis Losey, medical director of Loma Linda University Health Comprehensive Epilepsy Program. “Epilepsy is more common than most people realize – one in 26 will be diagnosed during their lifetime, which equates to about 55,000 people in the Inland Empire.” Losey, along with a team of physicians from the department of neurology, neurosurgery and pediatrics, will lead the event. Dr. Warren Boling, chair of neurosurgery of Loma Linda University Health and a nationally recognized epilepsy surgeon with expertise in cutting-edge techniques for surgical evaluation and treatment of epilepsy, will also be participating. Those who attend the event can expect to learn about exciting new treatments that are now available for epilepsy; meet and learn from the experts, as well as participate in a Q & A session and meet and connect with other families. “About one in three people with epilepsy experience seizures that are not controlled by their current treatments,” Losey added, emphasizing that alternative treatments will be discussed during the event. Representatives from the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles will also be part of the program. “My wife and I have seen first-hand the powerful impact when individuals and families affected by epilepsy come together at our Epilepsy Foundation's workshops, conferences, camps and other social events and have a chance to meet others who understand,” said Steve Baum, board president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. “Invariably everyone leaves feeling more empowered, better equipped and less alone in their fight against epilepsy.” Additionally, there will be a social component for adults and children with epilepsy and their loved ones, including an art therapy activity and games led by an art therapist. “The Sunday event is unique by way of its robust experts, social time for children, families and adults and the diversity of topics to be addressed,” Losey said. Loma Linda University Health is home to the largest epilepsy program in the Inland Empire. The comprehensive epilepsy program now includes three adult epileptologists and two pediatric epileptologists with clinics in Loma Linda, Riverside and San Bernardino. It is the only epilepsy center in the Inland Empire with the highest designation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, a Level 4 designation. “We are proud to partner with epilepsy specialists and the specialty epilepsy programs such as the comprehensive epilepsy program at Loma Linda University Health, in our region,” said Susan Pietsch-Escueta, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. “Through quality care, specialists like Dr. Losey and the other physicians and team members at Loma Linda, partner with us and our community in our shared quest for freedom from seizures." Registration for the workshop is $10, although scholarships are available for the event. Registration information is available online at endepilepsy.org/2016Events or by phone at 800-564-0445. For more information about the comprehensive epilepsy program at Loma Linda University, call 909-558-2880