Innovative Minds: Pediatric Research in Epilepsy Surgery (IMPRES) Conference
The Lurie Children’s Epilepsy Center is proud to present the second annual IMPRES Conference in collaboration with the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center at UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s.
IMPRES: Improving Access & Health Equity in Epilepsy is designed to provide evidence-based research on pediatric epilepsy surgery as well as highlight collaboration between pediatric epilepsy centers and programs.
The conference will take place June 20-22, 2025, in downtown Chicago, Illinois on the campus of Northwestern University. The event will start on Friday with a welcome reception. Saturday will be a full day of presentations with a dinner that will allow for networking and collaboration. The conference will conclude at noon on Sunday.
Details and registration information to come.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
Friday, June 20, 2025
Welcome Reception
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Breakfast
Intro to Session: History: Anthropology of Epilepsy, Sandi Lam, MD, MBA, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Addressing Epilepsy Surgery in Different Health Systems: Lessons Learned, O. Carter Snead III, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children
Historical and Cultural Issues That Influence Epilepsy Care, Dave Clarke, MD, Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin
Addressing Stigma and Discrimination in Education, Gabi Conecker, MPH, SCN8A
Historical Barriers to Epilepsy Surgery: A Surgeon’s Perspective, Dennis Spencer, MD, Yale University School of Medicine
Moderated Panel Discussion With Q&A, Sandi Lam, MD, MBA, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Intro to Session: Management: Managing Epilepsy & Epilepsy Syndromes With Appropriate Antiseizure Medications & More, James Riviello, MD, Texas Children's Hospital
Needling Through Mechanisms of Action, Raman Sankar, MD, PhD, UCLA Health
Different Strokes for Targeted Folks: Precision Therapy in Epilepsy, Kristen Arredondo, MD, Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin
Epilepsy Care With No Neurological Specialists in Sight: Extending a Helping Hand to International Colleagues, Jorge Vidaurre, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Moderated Panel Discussion With Q&A
Intro to Session: Presurgical Investigative Studies: Neurophysiological and Functional Investigative Studies, Tao Song, PhD, Clifford Calley, MD, Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin
Tails of a Tangled Web: Evaluating the Cingulate and Insula, Ammar Kheder, MD, Corewell Health, Emory
I Spy a Magnetic Field: Promises and Pitfalls of the MEG, Tao Song, PhD, Clifford Calley, MD, Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin
Neuroradiology Findings That Can Help Address Confusing Results From Conference, Elysa Widjaja, MD, MPH, PhD, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Topic TBD, Meghan Keeler, LSW, MPH, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Moderated Panel Discussion With Q&A
The Imposters: Not Truly Generalized Epilepsy, Sarah Weatherspoon, MD, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Reaching to the Sidelines: When Should We Still Consider Subdural Grids?, Howard Weiner, MD, Texas Children's Hospital
Surgical Nuances in Phase 2 Intracranial Technologies and Techniques, Jeffrey Raskin, MS, MD, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Moderated Panel Discussion With Q&A
Concluding Remarks for the Day
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Breakfast
Intro to Session: Surgical Techniques, Kevin Kumar, MD, PhD, Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin
VNS Versus DBS Versus RNS: Clinical Implications, Sean M. Lew, MD, Children's Wisconsin
Results to Give You Pause: Neuropsychological Findings That Should Lead to Tailoring Surgical Techniques, Rosalia Costello, PsyD, Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin
Topic TBD, Robert Bollo, MD, MS, University of Utah Health
Moderated Panel Discussion With Q&A
Intro to Session: Quality of Life & Psychosocial Outcomes, Daniel Arndt, MD, Beaumont Health
Optimizing Delivery of Epilepsy Care, Ahmed T. Abdelmoity, MD, MBA, MS, Children's Mercy Kansas City
Technology Improving Care in LMIC, Daniel San Juan, MD, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico
What Should I Expect in Life: Psychological and Psychosocial Outcomes in Epilepsy, Mary Lou Smith, PhD, CPsych, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Topic TBD, Sandi Lam, MD, MBA, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Moderated Panel Discussion With Q&A
Closing Remarks