L to R: Professor Ingrid Scheffer, Amy Schneider, Lachie the Purple Wiggle, and Brialie Forster

26 November 2024

We are thrilled to share the remarkable achievements of some of our dedicated Epilepsy clinicians, who have recently been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the field.

Professor Piero Perucca, Director of the Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Austin Health, has been elected President of the Epilepsy Society of Australia for the 2024-2027 term.

Piero shared his excitement, stating, “I am honoured to have been elected as President of the Epilepsy Society of Australia (ESA) for the 2024-2027 term. I look forward to building on the outstanding work of the previous ESA leadership. These are exciting times for the epilepsy community in view of the recent approval by the World Health Assembly of the IGAP (Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders). In line with the IGAP goals, our country has an unprecedented opportunity to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to bridge gaps in epilepsy care, education and research.”

Laureate Professor Ingrid Scheffer, Director of our Children’s Epilepsy Program, was awarded the prestigious Peter Bladin Award and Lecture at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Epilepsy Society of Australia earlier this month. This award, named after the founder of the Epilepsy Society of Australia, is the Society’s highest honour.

Ingrid expressed her gratitude, “I am thrilled to receive the Epilepsy Society of Australia’s award named after the Austin Epilepsy Program’s founder and the founder of the Epilepsy Society of Australia, Peter Bladin. Peter was an outstanding clinician-scientist and mentor. My work has grown from Peter’s vision and goal to improve the lives of people with epilepsy. I am so grateful to Peter, Sam Berkovic, and our entire multidisciplinary team from the EEG technologists, nurses, neuropsychologists, doctors, to our imaging and genetic specialists and, of course, our outstanding research team.”

L to R: Professors Sam Berkovic, Ingrid Scheffer and Piero Perucca

Brialie Forster, Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies Clinical Nurse Consultant, has been elected Chair of the Epilepsy Nurse Special Interest Group of Australasia (ENSIGA).

Brialie shares, “Being elected Chair of the Epilepsy Nurses Special Interest Group of Australia (ENSIGA) is both an honour and privilege. We have nurses from Australia and New Zealand across all aspects of epilepsy care, including acute and community settings. I am committed to fostering education and connection among our members as we work together to enhance care and support for those with epilepsy.”

These achievements highlight the exceptional dedication and expertise of our Epilepsy team. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued contributions to the epilepsy community.

Congratulations to Piero, Ingrid, and Brialie on these well-deserved recognitions! 👏