This webinar examines the key barriers driving disparities in epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes across rural and underserved communities. Speakers will unpack what the data reveals about these geographic inequities and spotlight solutions already making a difference — telehealth, community partnerships, and policy reform. Join us to explore practical strategies for building a more equitable path to epilepsy care, no matter where patients live.
Presenters:
Yardi Ruta Andress, MD
Dr. Ruta Yardi Andress is Director of Epilepsy Research Development and Assistant Professor at the Geisinger Neuroscience Institute, where her clinical practice focuses on patients with refractory epilepsy, including pre-surgical evaluation and stereo-EEG (SEEG). She serves as Secretary of the ILAE Neurotechnology Section and leads and participates in several ILAE task forces.
She earned her medical degree in India and completed her neurology residency and epilepsy fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Her research has helped shape the field of epilepsy surgery: her landmark study on the withdrawal of anti-seizure medications after epilepsy surgery earned her the American Epilepsy Society Young Investigator Award in 2014, and she played a key role in developing the first nomogram for predicting surgical outcomes in epilepsy, recognized among Lancet Neurology's Top 5 Innovations of 2015. Most recently, she authored "Emerging Technologies and Strategies in Epilepsy Surgery," published in Lancet Neurology.
Dr Yardi's current research and advocacy center on achieving equitable epilepsy care for all patients, with a particular focus on how neurotechnology can help close existing gaps in access and outcomes.
Moderator:
Jonathan Dashkoff, MD, PhD