Canadian neurophysiologist to receive AES 2012 J. Kiffin Penry Excellence in Epilepsy Care Award

The American Epilepsy Society (AES) has announced that Warren T. Blume. M.D., FRCP(C), Neurology Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, has been named recipient of the AES 2012 J. Kiffin Penry Excellence in Epilepsy Care Award. The award recognizes Dr. Blume for his contributions as an early founder and organizer of specialized treatment and professional education programs in Canada. He is an expert in neurophysiology, author of the first atlases on adult and pediatric electroencephalography (EEG), and organizer of the first Canadian EEG examination system.

The Penry Award was established in 1997 in memory of Dr. J. Kiffin Penry, first chief of the epilepsy branch of the Nation Institute for Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, NIH. The award recognizes individuals whose work both epitomizes excellence in the care of people with epilepsy, and has a major impact on patient care and improved quality of life for people with the disorder. This year's Penry Award will be presented December 1st during the AES 66th annual meeting and scientific conference at the San Diego Convention Center.

In 1977 Dr. Blume became the co-founder and first co-director of the first major specialized epilepsy treatment program in Ontario, the second such program in Canada. He is a founding member of the Canadian League Against Epilepsy, the professional society for physicians and scientists dedicated to the study and treatment of epilepsy, and served as its president in 1983-85. His special interests are extending epilepsy care to under-served regions in Ontario, especially its north, educating young physicians in preparation of their clinical careers, and maintaining his epilepsy patient care practice in London, Ontario.

In announcing the award, John Huguenard, Ph.D., who chairs the AES awards committee, said, "We are privileged to honor Dr. Blume's lifelong focus on and genuine concern for patients with epilepsy. His achievements as a expert neurophysiologist, educator and early advocate of quality care for patients with epilepsy are an inspiration to our community."

SOURCE American Epilepsy Society