Mary Zupanc, MD, a Pediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist with Children's Hospital of Orange County

New York City, New York May 12, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - As one of the country's most highly regarded pediatric neurologists and epileptologists, Dr. Zupanc is the PSF Division Chief of Neurology & Director of the Pediatric Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). She is also the UCI Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology, Chief Neurology Strategy Officer, and Co-Medical Director of the CHOC Neuroscience Institute.

Since arriving at CHOC, she has grown the pediatric neurology division from four physician subspecialists to the present 16, specializing in areas such as epilepsy, sleep disturbances, movement disorders, concussion, stroke, and autism. This growth has resulted in the reorganization and consolidation of the neurology division with the neurosurgery division, becoming today's CHOC Neuroscience Institute. 

"One of the wonderful things about child neurology is that you often embark on a decades-long journey with families. You transform a child's life and a family's life. That's what this profession is all about, and why it has always been more than a job for me. It's a calling" expressed Dr. Zupanc. 

Teaching medical students, residents, fellows, and colleagues, as well as mentoring young faculty, especially women, she serves as a Clinical Professor within the Department of Neurology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She also serves as a Professor within the Department of Neurology & Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.

Academically, Dr. Zupanc received her undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974, then carried out a year of research in genetics in Los Angeles before entering the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing her medical degree in 1979. 

Furthering her education, she completed pediatric residency training at the University of Washington and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and pediatric neurology training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the mentorship of Dr. Raymond Chun. She has subsequently been in the epilepsy divisions at the Mayo Clinic, Columbia University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and most recently, University of California-Irvine, collaborating with colleagues to develop pediatric epilepsy programs.

Activating patients' sensations, she is board-certified in clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy, neurology, and child neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The ABPN is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to serving the professions of psychiatry and neurology.

Furthermore, she is board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, whose mission is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

On a professional level, Dr. Zupanc is an active member of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, the American Medical Women's Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, the American Epilepsy Society, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Child Neurology Foundation.

Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. A child neurologist, or pediatric neurologist, is a doctor who treats children who have problems with their nervous system. Problems in the nervous system can start in the brain, spine, nerves, or muscles. These can lead to problems such as seizures, headaches, or developmental delays.

An epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in the treatment of epilepsy. Epileptologists are experts in epileptic seizures and seizure disorders, anticonvulsants, and special situations involving seizures, such as cases in which all treatment intended to stop seizures has failed and epilepsy in pregnant women.

Highly esteemed for her scholarship and contributions to the advancement of pediatric neurology, Dr. Zupanc has presented at numerous nationally and internationally recognized lecture series and is a much sought-after speaker. 

With a passion for writing, she has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals (most notably the Journal of Pediatric Neurology regarding pediatric epilepsy surgery and outcomes, the efficacy of Felbamate, and infantile spasms). She has also authored many book chapters on pediatric epilepsy surgery and reproductive health in adolescent girls with epilepsy.

Having given back to her profession with her time and expertise, Dr. Zupanc has been an advocate for children both at the bedside and working as part of larger organizations. Not only has she been a superb clinician, but she has also moved the field of epilepsy therapy forward, built two large and successful divisions of child neurology, and been a successful educator. 

Finally, Dr. Zupanc has done mission work in India, Vietnam, and Armenia, where she has taught and delivered medical care in remote areas. She has also been involved in family and community outreach to the underserved in the United States, including Native Tribes, Hmong refugees, and inner-city Black and Latino communities.

A handful of her other legacy accomplishments include many awards that she has received for teaching recognition and clinical care at each of the significant institutions she has served. She considers Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award her highest honor of all.

"You may be the greatest scientist in the world, but if you don't have empathy and compassion for patients and families, you can't advance the field of medicine. To me, as a clinician bringing science to the bedside - this is the ultimate award" says Dr. Zupanc.

Learn More about Dr. Mary Zupanc:
Through her findatopdoc profile, https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/1641426-Mary-Zupanc-Neurologist, or through Children's Hospital of Orange County, https://care.choc.org/tag/mary-zupanc-md/ 

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