The good Cornellians can do: Eric Kossoff ’91

Eric Kossoff '91 has many roles in his professional life: as a professor of neurology and pediatrics, as director of the Child Neurology Residency Program, and as medical director of the Pediatric Ketogenic Diet Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is a pediatric epilepsy specialist who has practiced for more than two decades.

Eric explains that epilepsy is relatively common—seen in 1 of 26 people. And, it is very responsive to treatment, he says.

“Epilepsy is a difficult condition that is silent to many, and, sadly, still has a lot of stigma associated with it,” Eric observes. “It is extremely treatable with drugs, diet, electrical stimulation, or even surgery to stop all seizures. I particularly see children who often can be cured or outgrow their seizures,” he says.

To raise awareness about the disease and the treatments available, Eric has volunteered with the Epilepsy Foundation, Baltimore area nonprofits, and local charities to raise funds and educate the public. He has lectured to audiences around the world about the disease, participated in fundraising walks and triathlons, and helped educate his colleagues by facilitating talks by outside experts.

“In my career as a child neurologist, I have always found treating epilepsy very rewarding,” Eric says.

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