The Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance will be at the 2026 Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada, to share the lived experiences of pediatric epilepsy surgery patients and families directly with child neurology professionals.
These annual gatherings are a vital opportunity to engage with clinicians, elevate the family voice, and drive collaboration that improves care for children with medication-resistant epilepsy and their families. If you are attending, we would love to connect with you!
Workshop Highlight
We are proud to share that Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance‘s proposal was accepted for an interactive, case-based session in the conference’s Clinical Practice Track.
- Workshop Title: Do No Harm: Trauma-Informed Communication in Pediatric Epilepsy
- Date & Time: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT
- Format: Small-group, discussion-based workshop featuring real-life vignettes and an interactive web resource with expert video perspectives.
Session Overview:
Navigating a pediatric epilepsy diagnosis and treatment path can be overwhelming for caregivers and highly complex for medical teams. This workshop brings together leading experts to help clinicians integrate practical, trauma-informed communication strategies throughout every stage of care, thereby reducing family distress, improving engagement, and building trust during high-stakes medical decisions.
Speakers:
- Monica Lemmon, MD – Duke University School of Medicine
- Mary Lou Smith, PhD, CPsych – University of Toronto & The Hospital for Sick Children
- Lauren Treat, MD – Children’s Hospital Colorado & University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Monika Jones, JD – Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance
- Audrey Vernick – Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance