The foundations of epilepsy patient care and scientific epileptology at the University of Florida were laid by BJ Wilder and RP Schmidt over half a century ago. Drs. Wilder and Schmidt performed a number of early neurophysiological studies of epileptogenesis. Dr. Wilder (known to friends and colleagues the world over as ‘BJ’) was also instrumental in several pivotal studies that led to the approval of many second-generation anticonvulsant medications. Few trainees in the present day know that BJ’s team pioneered serum anticonvulsant level monitoring and established the concept of therapeutic levels, an example of which is the universally known ‘10-20’ figure for phenytoin.
Over the years, we have trained hundreds of UF neurology residents in the fundamentals of epilepsy. Scores of fellows have completed advanced training in the field and matured to leadership positions across the nation. In 1992, the epilepsy surgery program was launched. Today, we are a National Association of Epilepsy Centers Level IV center that provides compassionate, patient-centered and innovative care for epilepsy. Our team of adult and pediatric epilepsy neurologists’ partner with adult and pediatric epilepsy neurosurgery and experienced advanced registered nurse practitioners. We are supported by state-of-the-art facilities – housed under a single roof – at the UFHealth Neuromedicine Hospital that was inaugurated in 2018. We offer advanced diagnostics, pharmacotherapy includes clinical trials of emerging treatments, peripheral (vagus nerve stimulation – VNS) and central (responsive neurostimulation – RNS – and deep brain stimulation – DBS) neuromodulation therapy, and the full range of resective, disconnective and ablative (laser interstitial thermocoagulation therapy) epilepsy surgery procedures. Our clinical neurophysiology team serves the entire UFHealth Gainesville campus and includes a busy in-hospital long-term EEG monitoring service. While most of our patients live in north and central Florida, many travel from across state and the southeastern United States and beyond.
Fifty years on, the Division of Epilepsy is proud to continue the tradition of excellence set by our founders.
Welcome!