Mark your calendars! We have a number of exciting lectures and support groups happening this Summer, and we would love to have you involved!

1) Monday, July 9th: Support Group
Our next Living with Epilepsy Support Group meets on Monday, July 9, from 11-12:30 at the SF VA. This support group is open to the public and community, including any Caregivers, Families, and Friends of people living with epilepsy.

At the San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94121
Building 200, First Floor
Teak Conference Room 1A-22

For more info email: gilbertwoo@ucsf.edu

2) Thursday, July 18th: Caregiver Support Group

Our second Epilepsy Caregiver Support Group meets from 4-5pm at the SF VA. This exciting new group is specifically for caregivers, families, and friends of Veterans with epilepsy. We will have a call-in line for those of you who can't make it in person, but still wish to participate.

At the San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94121
Building 203, Room 1B-14
Please call (415) 379-5599 to RSVP. If you cannot join us in person, but would like to participate by phone, dial-in: 1-800-767-1750 and enter Access Code: 60134#

3) Thursday, August 1st: “Women with Epilepsy”

Our next national ECoE Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conference series will take place on August 1 from 1-2pm EST. Denise Riley, ARNP, from the Gainesville VAMC will present “Women With Epilepsy”. This lecture series is open to anybody who wants to call in. Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750, Access Code: 45129#

4) Friday, August 2nd: “Coping with Seizures”

Our next luncheon lecture, titled “Coping with Seizures”, will take place on August 2 from 1-2pm at the SF VA auditorium, and will be presented by Manu Hegde, MD. This event is free and open to everybody. Lunch will be provided!

If you have any questions please contact, Ryan Rieger, National Administrative Director, at 415-221-4810 x4119 or by email at ryan.rieger@va.gov

Please join us!!!

Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conference

Sponsored by Epilepsy Centers of Excellence & Employee Education System

“The Effects of Epilepsy on Memory Function”

Thursday, June 6, 2013
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EASTERN TIME
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PACIFIC TIME

Patricia Banks, MSNED, Epilepsy Counselor
National Office of Neurology, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Patients and Caregivers can participate by phone by dialing:
Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750 Access Code: 45129#
PowerPoint:
http://www.epilepsy.va.gov/Announcements.asp

Description: The Epilepsy Center of Excellence and the Employee Education System are proud to announce a series of audio conferences providing education and training to VA patients and caregivers to improve the health and well-being of Veteran patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Outcome Objectives:
• Define Epilepsy
• Identify the impact of Epilepsy on memory
• Describe types of memory loss
• Discuss epileptic phases in which memory loss occurs
• Explain the effects of Epilepsy treatment on memory
• Identify interventions which may enhance recall and memory preservation

If you have any questions please contact,
Ryan Rieger, National Administrative Director, at 415-221-4810 x4119 or by email at ryan.rieger@va.gov

Please join us in person in San Francisco

LIVING WITH EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP

11am-12pm, May 13, 2013

Open to the public and community including any Caregivers, Families, and Friends of people living with epilepsy.

At the San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94121
Building 200, First Floor
Teak Conference Room 1A-22

For more info email: gilbertwoo@ucsf.edu

Please join us!!

Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conference

Sponsored by Epilepsy Centers of Excellence & Employee Education System

“Epilepsy: Social and Economic Impacts”

Thursday, April 4, 2013
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EASTERN TIME
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PACIFIC TIME

Collette Evrard, Nurse Practioner
Epilepsy Center of Excellence, Portland VA Medical Center

Patients and Caregivers can participate by phone by dialing:

Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750

Access Code: 45129#

Description: The Epilepsy Center of Excellence and the Employee Education System are proud to announce a series of audio conferences providing education and training to VA patients and caregivers to improve the health and well-being of Veteran patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Outcome Objectives:
• Understand with epilepsy it is common that seizures are not the only problem, and treatment of seizures is not the only help patients need.
• Understand epilepsy commonly has an economic impact, specifically on patient’s employment and due to the cost of treatment.
• Identify how epilepsy commonly impacts patients socially, such as the public’s perception, self-image, education, and driving.
• Learn there is help in talking to VA healthcare providers, social workers, the Epilepsy Foundation, and other organizations to find such resources.

If you have any questions please contact,
Ryan Rieger, National Administrative Director, at 415-221-4810 x4119 or by email at ryan.rieger@va.gov

Do you live in Durham or the vicinity? Please join us for this free event:

Epilepsy Symposium

Conquering Boundaries: Veterans with Epilepsy
April 13, 2013
8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Durham VAMC
Auditorium, Bldg. 16, Rm. 58
Free Registration: 919-416-5982

Topics Include:
TBI & Epilepsy
Mental Health & Epilepsy
New Drugs for Seizures
VA Epilepsy Disability

Please join us in person in San Francisco

LIVING WITH EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP

11am-12pm, March 11, 2013

Open to the public and community including any Caregivers, Families, and Friends of people living with epilepsy.

At the San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94121
Building 200, First Floor
Teak Conference Room 1A-22

For more info email: gilbertwoo@ucsf.edu

Combat your epilepsy medication side effects!

Both epilepsy and epilepsy medications can dramatically affect mental functioning. Some medications have negative side effects, but did you know that others actually produce positive effects on cognition? Watch a video where Dr. Jeffrey Bigelow discusses disruptions in memory and concentration that are caused by seizures and medications, and he offers a number of potential solutions to combat these unwanted side effects.

Click on your "Patient Education" link to the left and look for "Cognitive Effects of Epilepsy" by Dr. Jeffrey Bigelow.

Do you live in the Bay Area? The San Francisco Epilepsy Center of Excellence hosts lectures for patients and caregivers at the VA. This is a great opportunity to learn more about epilepsy. The events are free and open to patients, caregivers and VA employees. Lunch is provided.

Please join us for our next talk:

"Women with Epilepsy"
Presented by: Dr. Nina Garga, Neurologist, Epilepsy Center of Excellence Director

Friday February 8th, 2013
1-2pm
Auditorium, Building 7, Room 112
San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA 94121

FEBRUARY 7th - Mark your calendars!!

The Epilepsy Centers of Excellence sponsors Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conferences

Feburary 7, 2013
"Epilepsy and Depression"
Gilbert Woo, MS, MFT-I, San Francisco VAMC

Just call in!!
Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750 Access Code: 45129
1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time
10:00-11:00 PM Pacific Time

If you have any questions please contact, Ryan Rieger, National Administrative Director, at 415-221-4810 x4119 or by email at ryan.rieger@va.gov

Too many epilepsy medications to choose from?

With so many epilepsy medications (http://www.patientslikeme.com/treatments), it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Join Dr. Yana Kriseman as she reviews the major antiepileptic drugs and discusses both their short- and long-term side effects. Look for "Epilepsy and Medication Side Effects" on: http://www.epilepsy.va.gov/Patient_Education.asp or under the Patient Education link to the left of this page.

Upcoming Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conferences

Sponsored by the Epilepsy Centers of Excellence & Employee Education System

Feburary 7, 2013
"Epilepsy and Depression"
Gilbert Woo, MS, MFT-I, San Francisco VAMC

April 4, 2013
"Epilepsy: Social and Economic Impacts"
Collette Evrard, NP, Portland VAMC

June 6, 2013
"Epilepsy and Memory"
Patricia Banks, RN, Cleveland VAMC

August 1, 2013
"Women With Epilepsy"
Denise Riley, ARNP, Gainesville VAMC

Patients and Caregivers can participate by phone
Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750 Access Code: 45129
1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time
10:00-11:00 PM Pacific Time

Patients, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about epilepsy and seizures is welcome to call in.

Description: The Epilepsy Center of Excellence and the Employee Education System are proud to announce a series of audio conferences providing education and training to VA patients and caregivers to improve the health and well-being of Veteran patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

If you have any questions please contact, Ryan Rieger, National Administrative Director, at 415-221-4810 x4119 or by email at ryan.rieger@va.gov

Patients, Caregivers or Anyone Interested In Learning More About Epilepsy And Seizures - Please join us!

Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conference

Sponsored by Epilepsy Centers of Excellence & Employee Education System

“Medication Compliance”
Thursday, September 6, 2012
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EASTERN TIME
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PACIFIC TIME

Judy Ozuna, NP, Epilepsy Center of Excellence
Puget Sound VA Healthcare System

Patients and Caregivers can participate by phone by dialing:

Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750 Access Code: 45129#

Description: The Epilepsy Center of Excellence and the Employee Education System are proud to announce a series of audio conferences providing education and training to VA patients and caregivers to improve the health and well-being of Veteran patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Outcome Objectives:
1. Identify reasons why patients with epilepsy may not follow medical advice.
2. Describe strategies to remember to take medications.
3. Explain ways to improve communication with the health care provider.
Up Coming Patient/Caregiver Audio Conferences To Be Announced.

If you have any questions please contact,
Ryan Rieger, National Administrative Director, at 415-221-4810 x4119 or by email at ryan.rieger@va.gov

Did you know that the San Francisco Epilepsy Center of Excellence has posted a series of patient education lectures on its website? Check them out at: http://www.epilepsy.va.gov/Patient_Education.asp

You may be interested in our Patient and Caregiver Education Phone Conferences.

The next one is:
July 12, 2012
"Epilepsy Medication"
Dr. Barry Gidal

Patients and Caregivers can participate by phone
Dial-in: 1-800-767-1750 Access Code: 45129
1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time
10:00-11:00 PM Pacific Time

Sponsored by the Epilepsy Centers of Excellence & Employee Education System
http://www.epilepsy.va.gov/Announcements.asp

Studio E - The Epilepsy Art Therapy Program

The Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California is excited to bring you the opportunity to express yourself through art as part of a multi-week art therapy program. You’ll work with art therapists and other people with epilepsy in a group setting to create artistic pieces using a variety of mediums, strengthen your artistic voice and learn from others in an open, welcoming environment. Your artwork may also help raise awareness about the realities of life with epilepsy.

Date: Every Sunday beginning August 19th through September 30th
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Place: Sticky Art Lab, 1682 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703
Admission: Free, a limited amount of space available. Please note that this program is offered exclusively to people with epilepsy.

This program is open to all adults (21 and over) with epilepsy in the San Francisco Bay area.

If you would like to sign up for Studio E, please contact Mary at "mary@epilepsynorcal.org" or phone at (925) 224-7760.

Patient Education Series

San Francisco
Epilepsy Center of Excellence
Patient Education Lectures

"Socioeconomic Effects of Epilepsy"

Presented by:
Siddharth Kharkar, MD
Friday, July 20, 2012

Epilepsy Center of Excellence, San Francisco VA Medical Center

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Building 7, Room 112
San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121

This event is free and open to Patients, Caregivers, and VA Providers
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.
Please call to sign up at 415-379-5599.

For directions, please see http://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/visitors/directions.asp