Learn more about Project ECHO Epilepsy Canada (PEEC), our national expansion of ECHO Epilepsy programming in partnership with the Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE).
Epilepsy in Adults: Advanced Program *Updated Curriculum
The advanced curriculum builds on the knowledge and skills learned in the foundational curriculum and aims to develop proficiency in the management of epilepsy.
JAN. 7 - MAR. 11, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM (EST)
*This winter, ECHO Epilepsy Ontario introduces an updated curriculum designed to reflect the evolving needs of primary care. With new sessions focused on autoimmune epilepsy, stigma in epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy, and interpretations of EEG reports and neuroimaging (MRI +CT) — this series helps family physicians and general practitioners build confidence in recognizing and managing epilepsy in adults.
This curriculum builds on the foundational curriculum with a focus on developing knowledge and skills in non-pharmacological treatment options, management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), considerations for special populations like women with epilepsy, and more. The program is designed for primary care providers and/or health care practitioners who are seeking to enhance their learning in epileptology.
New Topics for Winter 2026 Include:
- Autoimmune epilepsy
- Stigma in epilepsy
- Temporal lobe epilepsy
- Driving and Epilepsy
- Interpretation of EEG reports
- Interpretation of neuroimaging (MRI + CT)
- Seizure semiology: Video Based Learning Part 2
Next Session
January 21, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
S3. Stigma in Epilepsy
This learning series is facilitated by experts from Hamilton Health Sciences, Kingston Health Sciences and London Health Sciences.
Syllabus
This Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up for up to 1.0 Mainpro+ credits.
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim a maximum of 1.0 hours.
- Recognize when to advocate for non-pharmacological management strategies for drug-resistant epilepsy.
- Describe:
- Epilepsy surgery
- Neuro-stimulation (VNS, DBS, RNS)
- Ketogenic Diet (KD) (including Modified Atkins Diet (MAD))
- Review clinical presentation of autoimmune epilepsy
- Discuss general investigations and management of autoimmune epilepsy
- Discuss the impact of health inequities on care of individuals living with epilepsy
- Discuss how stigma can impact our patients and how to help mitigate some impacts of stigma in epilepsy
- Discuss the interaction between oral contraceptives and anti-seizure medications (ASM)
- Recognize special considerations for prescribing ASMs with respect to family planning
- Describe the rates of teratogenicity for various ASMs
- Identify common caregiver safety concerns such as breastfeeding and caring for young children
- Discuss the approach to managing polypharmacy and drug interactions commonly seen in elderly patients.
- Describe issues related to elderly with epilepsy related to comorbidities
- Describe common semiology and clinical presentations of temporal lobe epilepsy
- Discuss management options: comparing outcomes with medical management vs. surgical options
- Discuss how epilepsy can impact working people, and strategies on how to mitigate this impact
- Identify provincial resources that may be helpful
- Identify provincial guidelines for reporting and counselling re: driving in epilepsy
- Other safety considerations (water safety, driving, heights, etc.)
- Review basic principles of EEG reports including background, sleep features, epileptic features, or slowing
- Discuss features of focal vs. generalized seizures based on examples in reports
- Discuss how to interpret MRI and CT reports
- Describe common results and interpretations of these results
- Differentiate between focal and generalized epilepsies
- Use of video-based descriptions of different seizure semiologies
Didactics & Recordings
Clinical Leads
Dr. Michelle Shapiro
Epileptologist (Medical Lead)
Dr. Jennifer Fogarty
Neuropsychologist
Ashley Fournier
Nurse Practitioner
Carly Smith
Case Manager – Youth and Young Adults, Epilepsy Educator (Epilepsy South Central)
Dr. Lysa Boissé Lomax
Epileptologist (Medical Lead)
Dr. Gavin Winston
Epileptologist
Dr. Garima Shukla
Epileptologist
Dr. Gaya Balasubramaniam
Neurologist
Samantha Keroglidis
Clinical Pharmacist
Melissa Meisner
EMU Nurse Navigator
Sandra Weatherby
Registered Nurse
Kate Carson
Neuro-Pharmacist
Shannan Mercer
Client Service Coordinator (Epilepsy Southeastern Ontario)
Brandy Sheahan
Executive Director (Epilepsy Southeastern Ontario)
Jeff Lalonde
Dietitian
Dr. Jorge Burneo
Epileptologist (Medical Lead)
Dr. Michelle Lee-Jones
Clinical Educator/Epileptologist (Medical Lead)
Dr. Ayman Hassan
Epileptologist (Medical Lead)
Dr. Poul Espino Alvarado
Epileptologist/Neurointensivist
Dr. Brent Hayman-Abello
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Sue Hayman-Abello
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Tara McAuley
Neuropsychologist
Lynda DeBuck
Community Epilepsy Educator/RN (Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario)
Sara Hammoud
EMU Nurse Navigator
Marissa Grogan
Social Worker
Register
NOTE: Zoom Registration is working, you will receive a Zoom email confirming registration after you complete the form. However, you may also receive this onscreen message “echo.zoom.us refused to connect” after registering. Do not be concerned, we are looking into this issue. But please email us at epilepsy@echoontario.ca if you do not receive the Zoom Registration Confirmation Email within 5 minutes of registering.