Jacqueline A. French, M.D. Receives the Epilepsy Foundation's 2013 Hero of Epilepsy
The Hero of Epilepsy Award honors individuals and organizations that have made a deep impact on the epilepsy community. Recipients of the Hero Award exemplify the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission to stop seizures, SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies.
In announcing the award, Philip M. Gattone, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, said, “Jackie’s extensive research and clinical contributions, as well as her commitment to improving the lives of those in the epilepsy community, makes her an obvious choice for this year’s award. As a pioneer in the clinical care of seizures, her research has led to ground-breaking treatments in epilepsy.”
Dr. French’s research focuses on finding new therapeutic interventions for people with epilepsy, and on clinical trial methodology. She has written many articles, editorials and chapters, and has edited two books on the subject of epilepsy. Dr. French’s work has been featured in Lancet Neurology and The New England Journal of Medicine, among other respected publications. Dr. French has also worked with the US Food and Drug Administration to develop new trial designs for antiepileptic drug approval. She has been a key leader in the global conversation on epilepsy and seizure conditions, lecturing around the world on topics related to antiepileptic drug therapeutics.
Dr. French works closely with the Epilepsy Foundation to build the annual AED Pipeline Conference, which focuses on bringing together industry and experts to present the latest information and innovations in epilepsy therapies. The AED XII Conference will be held this year in Miami from May 15-17, and includes the second annual Epilepsy Foundation Shark Tank Event which awards a grant to the best new idea in epilepsy treatment and care. The winning entry will be selected by live voting at the conference by an expert panel of judges and audience members representing industry, patient advocacy, investment, research and medical communities. The project deemed most innovative will be announced at the conclusion of the conference, and the winner will receive a $100,000 grant to help accelerate the idea from concept to people with epilepsy.
About Epilepsy
When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they have epilepsy, which affects nearly three million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. This year, another 200,000 people in our country will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, 30 to 40 percent of people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.
About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation’s goals are to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and research, so not another moment is lost to seizures.
To learn more about epilepsy, visit www.epilepsy.com. ‘Like’ the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/epilepsyfdn