Service and programs at the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York equip persons with epilepsy and seizures to participate as fully as possible in their respective NYC community. These include as many or as few as desired from the following: counseling; vocational service & job placement; prevocational & respite services; and information & referral services. The EFMNY also offers community educational/awareness presentations and other events throughout the year (see Epilepsy 101).

All information and training and presentations are free of charge. Other programs are also free of charge or require low cost fees. Fees are based on a sliding scale. Medicaid, Medicare, and some third party insurances are accepted.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York relies upon volunteer Board and Advisory Members to assist with: oversight; strategic planning; vocational, medical and legal guidance; and fundraising activities.

• • The Board of Directors provides oversight to the EFMNY, and is composed of persons representing the legal, medical, business, service and epilepsy sectors in the NYC community.
  • The Professional Advisory Board provides continuing programmatic/educational guidance and advice, and is composed of persons who presently are the top neurology/epilepsy medical professionals from the leading medical centers in the NYC community.
  • The Into the Light Epilepsy Engagement Group is dedicated to creating special events to raise epilepsy awareness and to providing support  to people living with epilepsy and the loved ones who care for them.

Board of Directors

Roger J. Cooper, Phd • Chairperson
John Signorelli, MSW • Vice Chairperson Emeritus
Robert Stuart Brody • Treasurer/Vice Chairperson
Matthew Persanis • Secretary
Anne B. Cooper
Sandra Dammann
Christine Johnston
Leo Kaytes
Mina Sallis
Linda Sampson
Jennifer Winslow
Pamela B. Conford, MSW
Dr. Blanca R. Vázquez

Executive Director

Elinor LaTouche, MPA

Professional Advisory Board

Dr. Blanca Vazquez – NYU (FACES) • Chairperson
Dr. Steven M. Wolf – Boston Children’s Health Physicians New York & Connecticut, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, New York Medical College • Vice Chairperson
Dr. Carl Bazil – Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Dr. Michelle Bell – New York-Presbyterian/CUIMC
Dr. Andrew Dawson – Epilepsy Center, New York- Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Dr. Susan Duberstein – Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center
Dr. Jacqueline French – NYU (FACES)
Dr. Saadi Ghatan – Mount Sinai Health System
Dr. Arthur Grant – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dr. Jonathan Gursky – Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center
Dr. Sheryl Haut – Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center
Dr. Steven Karceski – Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center
Dr. Josiane Lajoie – NYU Langone Medical Center
Dr. Lara Marcuse – Mount Sinai Epilepsy Center
Patricia McGoldrick NP MPA MSN – Boston Children’s Health Physicians New York & Connecticut, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, New York Medical College
Dr. Nwanneka A. Okolo – Northwell Staten Island University Hospital
Dr. Alison Pack – New York-Presbyterian/CUIMC
Dr. Juliann Paolicchi – NH Physician Partners Neurology (Staten Island) & Lenox Hill Hospital

Into the Light Epilepsy Engagement Group

Kenny Hellmann – Manager, MLB Video Room Monitoring
Halle Pietro – Medical Assistant, Valley Health System
Craig Schmidt, Pharm.D – Regional Account Manager – NYC, Novo Nordisk
Justin Toumey – Executive Director, JP Morgan Asset Management
Steve Yaros – Finance Director, Annaly Capital