Dr. Andrea Andrade, Neurologist and Epileptologist Director of Paediatric Epilepsy Program and pediatric epilepsy fellowship training
Areas of interest: Drug-resistant epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, invasive monitoring (sub-durals and SEEG), and neuromodulation in epilepsy.
Epileptologist
An Epileptologist is a neurologist who has specialized training and experience in the management of paediatric epilepsy
Our Epileptologists have clinical expertise in EEG interpretation, diagnosing epilepsy, and creating various treatment plans (including medications, ketogenic diet, and epilepsy surgery)
After an initial consultation with you and your child, an individual plan of care is established
Follow-up appointments are individualized to best meet your child's health needs
Dr. Andrea Andrade
Dr. Maryam Nouri, Neurologist and Epileptologist, Director of Paediatric Epilepsy Program and pediatric epilepsy fellowship training
Areas of interest: Drug-resistant epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, invasive monitoring (sub-durals and SEEG), and neuromodulation in epilepsy.
Areas of interest: Epilepsy associated with genetic and metabolic disorders, epileptic encephalopathies, co-morbid conditions and outcomes of epilepsy, and ketogenic diet.
Dr. Prasad consults on specific cases for our paediatric epilepsy program such as:
Areas of interest: Rare disease research, gene discovery and disease modeling, part of Care4Rare Canada project, with a focus on neurological conditions, especially epilepsy.
Medical Geneticist
A medical geneticist is a doctor who specializes in genetic/inherited conditions. They use and interpret genetic information for the diagnosis and management of rare genetic diseases in individuals and provides counseling to their families about prognosis, implications for other members, recurrence risks, family planning, etc.
Our medical geneticist is engaged with research involving gene discovery and novel ways to diagnose undiagnosed rare genetic diseases.
After an initial consultation with you and your child, we will decide together on the most ideal genetic test for your family. You will receive detailed information both before and after the test.
Follow-up appointments are individualized to best meet your child's health needs and complement your family’s genetic care.
Dr. Tugce B. Balci
Dr. Ana Suller Marti, Neurologist and Epileptologist
Areas of Interest: Drug-resistant epilepsy, invasive monitoring (SEEG and cortical stimulation), epilepsy surgery and outcomes, neuromodulation in epilepsy (VNS and DBS), SUDEP.
Adult Epileptologist
An Epileptologist is a neurologist who has specialized training and experience in the management of adult epilepsy
Our Adult Epileptologist has a combined clinic with the Paediatric Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic for transition for youth to adult care.
After an initial consultation with you and your child, an individual plan of care is established
Follow-up appointments are individualized to best meet your child's health needs
The neurosurgeon is a surgeon who has had special training in brain surgery.
Our neurosurgeon has surgical expertise in paediatric epilepsy: focal resections, disconnective procedures (hemispherotomy), subdural electrode placement, implantation of vagal nerve stimulators, and robot assisted Stereo-electro-encephalogram (SEEG).
After an initial consultation with you and your child, an individual plan of care is established.
Follow-up appointments are individualized to best meet your child's health needs.
Dr. Sandrine deRibaupierre, Neurosurgeon
Dr. Somaia Dahgriri
Epilepsy Fellow
A fellow is a paediatric neurologist who is getting additional formal training in epilepsy.
Often the fellow is present during your child's clinic visit and/or hospital stay. As part of their learning objectives, they actively participate and contribute towards the care of your child.
They have clinical expertise in epilepsy, from diagnosing to medication management.
Clinical Neuropsychologist
A clinical neuropsychologist has specialized training in understanding the relationship between the brain and behaviour.
Our neuropsychologist provides comprehensive assessment of your child’s thinking skills (e.g., intelligence, attention, learning, memory, language, visual-spatial skills, fine motor skills) and academic skills, as well as examination of their behaviour, emotions, and social skills.
Assessment may include interviews, questionnaires, observation, and testing. Testing with your child will involve paper-and-pencil tasks, answering questions, puzzles, and other activities.
The purpose of an assessment is to identify your child’s unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses, and to make recommendations for academic programming and planning. If your child is being considered for surgery, this assessment will be completed as part of their work-up to assist in decision making regarding candidacy.
Feedback is provided to patients and their families, as well as to other members of the Epilepsy Team. Consultation with schools may be provided as needed.
Michelle Kregel, Nurse Practitioner
Area of Interest: Paediatric Epilepsy
Paediatric Nurse Practitioner
A Paediatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice nurse who provides primary and specialty care to children from infancy through young adulthood
Our NP has experience in paediatric epilepsy care and can diagnose epilepsy and create specialized treatment plans for different types of epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes during childhood throughout adolescence
Often the NP is present in your child’s clinic visit and/or hospital stay
The NP facilitates the coordination of care for specialized treatment options such as epilepsy surgery (SEEG & neuromodulation)
The NP provides education to families and other health care professionals in regard to epilepsy in children and advanced treatment options.
Michelle Kregel, Nurse Practitioner
Amanda Quann, Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse
The registered nurse for our epilepsy team has additional expertise in paediatric epilepsy
Actively participates with your child’s epilepsy team by acting as a liaison between you and your child’s epilepsy team members
Coordinates tests, examinations and consultations to ensure they are carried out within the best possible time frame
Identifies the health needs of your child and provides information and education in regards to new diagnosis, seizure medication management, and the plan of care within the Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic
Partners with community agencies to assist in addressing your child’s relevant needs in the community
Danna Muckle, Registered Practical Nurse
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
The RPN for our team has additional expertise in paediatric epilepsy
Actively participates with your child's epilepsy team by coordinating daily clinic activities
Ensures clinic appointments, tests, blood work, and paperwork that families require are completed efficiently
Identifies individual child and family needs and acts as a liaison with the rest of the comprehensive epilepsy team
Dr. Anastasiia Skovronska, Clinical Neurophysiologist
Clinical Neurophysiologist
The Clinical Neurophysiologist is a healthcare professional with expertise on the physiological aspects and the tools that measure the nervous system
Our Clinical Neurophysiologist has expertise in EEG readings, evoked potential, interpretation, intra-operative monitoring and EEG equipment
They work under the supervision of epileptologists and neurologists
They engage in both clinical and academic activities
Dr. Anastasiia Skovronska, Clinical Neurophysiologist
Madeleine Blais, Paediatric EEG Technologist
EEG Technologist
An electroencephalographic (EEG) technologist is a trained medical professional who uses specialized equipment to locate electrical brain abnormalities
They work under the supervision of doctors and neurologists
Assist in coordination of care by facilitating EEG tests around outpatient appointments and while patients are admitted in hospital
Provide testing for routine EEG’s, Paediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (PEMU) admissions, inpatient urgent EEG’s as well as highly specialized intra-operative and invasive EEG’s tests in and outside of the OR
Madeleine Blais, Paediatric EEG Technologist
Daniela Yepes, Paediatric Epilepsy Research Assistant
Paediatric Epilepsy Research Assistant
The research assistant is responsible for the administration and oversight of Paediatric epilepsy research studies
Actively coordinates multiple research projects for Investigators (Dr. Andrade, Dr. Nouri and Dr. Prasad) at Children’s Hospital
Submits protocols to research ethics boards, recruits participants, and collects data for studies and clinical trails
Corresponds with families participating in research, informing them of study objectives, next steps and engaging families throughout the research process
Daniela Yepes, Paediatric Epilepsy Research Assistant
Paediatric Epilepsy Research Coordinator
The Paediatric Epilepsy Research Coordinator (PERC) coordinates investigator and clinical research studies according to regulatory and institutional guidelines and requirements. The PEPC is responsible for the administration, coordination and oversight of paediatric epilepsy research studies
Assist the Principal Investigators (PIs) in new research proposals and preparation of grant applications; contributing to preparation of reports, presentations, and manuscripts
Develop informed consent documents based on regulations, REB consent templates and institutional requirements. Submit to REB and coordinate revisions. Assist PIs with annual approval process, amend and renew protocols and consents as required
Develop and monitor timelines for study, Provide information and documentation for potential participants (consents, patient eligibility items, required pre-study testing and roadmaps).
Epilepsy Educator, Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario
Attends the Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic to assist and support families and children who have drug resistant epilepsy
Provides education to families and their children who are diagnosed with epilepsy in a community setting
Provides education and training to you or your child’s school and teachers
Provides a multitude of programs and services, camps, and awareness days to enhance the lives of people affected by epilepsy
Vanessa So, Registered Dietitian
Registered Dietitian
Registered dietitians are health care professionals who are trained to provide advice and counselling about diet, food and nutrition
They use the best available evidence coupled with good judgment about the patient’s unique values and circumstances to determine guidance and recommendations
Within the epilepsy team, the registered dietitian manages and follows patients who are on the ketogenic diet
Vanessa So, Registered Dietitian
Erika Clements, Child Life Specialist
Child Life Specialist
Help children and their families understand their reactions and concerns to the hospital experience by providing accurate and honest information
Suggest coping techniques for procedures such as distraction, deep breathing and relaxation techniques
May be present during medical procedures and provide information about medical events
Provide opportunities to play
In many occasions, children with epilepsy have intellectual and behavioural disabilities. The child life specialist provides support and coping strategies to this particular population
Erika Clements, Child Life Specialist
Carrie Charters, Social Worker
Social Worker
The social worker is available to patients and families to provide supportive counselling in hospital and over the phone
Families may benefit from discussing emotional, financial, family and other related concerns with a social worker as you try and understand, adjust and cope with an epilepsy diagnosis and treatment
In addition, the social worker can assist with information about community resources and/or financial programs that are available
Carrie Charters, Social Worker
Nicole Dendekker, RN, Transition Navigator
Transition Navigator
A Transition Specialist assists youth and their family with preparing a Transition Plan that incorporates funding supports and community based programs before entering the adult health care system
Transition planning provides youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain health promoting behaviors and practice self- directed care as they approach the age of transfer
Nicole Dendekker, RN, Transition Navigator
Kalene Van Engelen, Genetic Counsellor
Genetic Counsellor
A genetic counsellor is a health care professional who helps families understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to epilepsy
Genetic counsellors:
Gather information about your medical and family history to assess and understand potential genetic risk factors in your family
Describe the process of, and consent for genetic testing if applicable
Educate families about genetics diagnoses, including management and inheritance
Kalene Van Engelen, Genetic Counsellor
Bonnie Wooten, RN, BA, MPA, Decision Coach
Shared Decision Making Coach
Is available to help families in their decision making process for topics such as: medications, procedures, tests, and surgeries.
Offers a supportive, neutral and non-directive process
Provides coaching face-to-face, on an individual or group basis, by telephone, email, online or through telehealth
