Join us over Zoom on Thursday September 1st, 2022, at 6:30 PM PST for a virtual film screening of “Seizing Hope – High Tech Journeys in Pediatric Epilepsy”, a mini-documentary by Neuroethics Canada, followed by a Q&A session. Please register for this free event via Eventbrite here.
About Seizing Hope:
“Seizing Hope – High Tech Journeys in Pediatric Epilepsy” is a mini-documentary by Neuroethics Canada that is a story about hope for children and their families in mitigating and treating pediatric drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). It is a story about how families learn to trust their medical team, educate them, and help them consider neurotechnology options for their child. It is a story about empowerment as loved ones shed light on the ethical factors that led to their decisions. In doing so, they empower other families that face similar challenges to theirs. It is a story of how children and families affected by DRE can seize hope in times of darkness for a better quality of life. Seizing Hope is presented by Neuroethics Canada UBC, with funding from the NIH/NIMH BRAIN Initiative (#RF1 MH117805-01).
Following the film screening, there will be a Q&A session moderated by Deirdre Syms, BC Epilepsy Society Executive Director, featuring the following panelists:
- Dr. Judy Iles: Dr. Illes is a Professor of Neurology, Distinguished University Scholar, and UBC Distinguished Scholar in Neuroethics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She is the Director of Neuroethics Canada at UBC, and faculty in the Brain Research Centre and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. Her research focuses on the ethical, legal, social and policy challenges specifically at the intersection of the neurosciences and biomedical ethics. She has made groundbreaking contributions to neuroethical thinking for neuroscience discovery, clinical translation, and the commercialization of health care. In 2017, she was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest recognitions of its citizens.
- Dr. Patrick McDonald: Dr. McDonald is the Head of the Section of Neurosurgery at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at both the U of M and the University of British Columbia. He was born, raised, and trained in Toronto, obtaining his medical degree and pursuing neurosurgical training at the University of Toronto. After a fellowship as Chief Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children, he obtained a Masters degree from the Joint Centre for Bioethics at U of T. In 2016, he relocated to Vancouver to be the Head of Neurosurgery at BC Children’s Hospital and a faculty position at Neuroethics Canada. He has recently returned to Winnipeg as the Chair of the Section of Neurosurgery at the University of Manitoba and retains his association with Neuroethics Canada. His research focuses on ethical issues in the adoption of innovative neurosurgical procedures, especially neurotechnologies, and outcomes in pediatric epilepsy and hydrocephalus.
- Dr. Johann Roduit: Dr. Roduit is a founding partner of Conexkt, a Certified B Corp innovation studio. Through his work, he fulfills his commitment to integrating ethics into the heart of technology, innovation, and design. Johann holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Ethics and Law from the University of Zurich and has previously worked in the University’s Institute for Biomedical Ethics. He uses his expertise in ethics, science communication, and innovation to help clients positively impact their community.
- Katherine Cowin: Katherine is the mother of Sophie Cowin, one of the four children featured in “Seizing Hope – High Tech Journeys in Pediatric Epilepsy”, during which, Katherine, Sophie, and the Cowin Family walked us through the hardships and hopes regarding pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy.