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 The
management of children with epilepsy at Johns Hopkins has a long and
proud history. Dr. Edwards Park, Director of the Harriet Lane Home
of Johns Hopkins was the first to establish specialty clinics in pediatrics.
Pediatric epilepsy was initiated during the 1940's first under Lawson
Wilkens who ran it part time (later to return full time as Director
of the Pediatric Endocrine Clinic), then Drs. Bridge and Laslo Kajdi.
During the 1950's and 60's it was one of the premier epilepsy programs
under the direction of Dr. Samuel Livingston and his associate Dr
Lydia Pauli. They set the standard for caring, comprehensive care
of children with epilepsy and wrote many outstanding books and articles
in the field.
In 1969 Dr John Freeman returned from Stanford to create and direct
the Pediatric Neurology service at Hopkins, and with Dr. Livingston's
retirement in 1973 assumed directorship of the pediatric epilepsy
clinic, renamed The Pediatric Epilepsy Center.
 Over the
years, this outstanding center has had major impact on the treatment
of febrile seizures in children; on major surgeries, such as hemispherectomies
for devastating epilepsies; and with the resurrection of the ketogenic
diet as therapy for difficult-to-control seizures.
The Center has been leading the clinical efforts for the comprehensive
care of children with epilepsy and their families. Its comprehensive,
team approach developed together with Dr. Eileen P.G. Vining, its
long-time associate director, and now director, Diana Pillas, coordinator/counselor;
Paula Pyzik, data coordinator, Jane McGrogan, dietitian, and the recent
addition of Drs Eric Kossoff and James Rubenstein continue to keep
this one of the outstanding Epilepsy Centers for children in the world.
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