Comprehensive Epilepsy Center Resources for Patients & Families
榴莲视频官方鈥檚 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers a wide variety of resources for patients and families through , an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with epilepsy and seizure disorders, and their families, through , education, and clinical and community support programs.
Events and Programs
FACES hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year. From our annual FACES Gala and Game Day event to other patient and family programs, we help unite people who are interested in the common goal of raising epilepsy and seizure awareness. For more information about our complete roster of programs and events, please email us at FACESInfo@NYULangone.org.
The FACES Apartments
The FACES apartments are available free of charge for families seeking treatment at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. The apartments help families traveling from far distances for medical treatment lasting from one to three weeks. The FACES apartments typically have a waiting list, so for best availability, please contact us as early as possible at FACESApartments@NYULangone.org.
The FACES Parent Network
The FACES Parent Network provides opportunities to connect with parents on the many issues surrounding care for a child with epilepsy. We pair parents with other parents who have experienced similar issues when dealing with a child or adult who has a chronic illness, called support parents. The connections between parents and support parents are generally through phone and email.
Whether it鈥檚 the hospitalization process, educational services, or social support resources, drawing on others鈥 experience can be quite valuable. FACES support parents are trained to provide a safe listening environment to parents. They are not trained to provide medical advice or professional counseling.
If you are interested in connecting with a support parent or would like more information, please contact Peggy Guinnessey, MPH, CTRS, at 212-263-2644 or Peggy.Guinnessey@NYULangone.org.
Dr. Blanca Vazquez Summer Camp Scholarship
Summer camp can be a wonderful experience for children with epilepsy. Our Summer Camp Scholarship Program, named in honor of Blanca Vazquez, MD, director of , serves children with epilepsy in financial need and allows them to experience fun, confidence-building activities.
The 2024 application is now closed. Applicants will be notified with a decision by Friday, June 28.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the 2025 program, please email FACESScholarship@NYULangone.org or call 646-558-0900.
FACES College Scholarship Program
To recognize the personal accomplishments of those living with epilepsy during their college journey, FACES annually provides partial financial support for the education of incoming freshmen or currently enrolled college students who have epilepsy and seizure disorders.
Along with a high school or current college transcript and a personal statement, please include a letter of recommendation from someone involved in your academic career indicating why this scholarship will be helpful for your college education. This letter should speak to your character, work ethic, and how epilepsy has affected you. A separate letter of recommendation from a certified medical practitioner involved in your medical care is required. This care provider does not need to be an 榴莲视频官方 Health provider. This recommendation must state your epilepsy diagnosis or experiences with seizures.
and available until Monday, June 3, 2024. For more information about our FACES scholarships, please contact us at 646-558-0900 or email FACESScholarship@NYULangone.org.
FACES Annual Newsletters
Our FACES annual newsletter highlights our programs and activities and feature articles written by patients, caregivers, and staff from 榴莲视频官方鈥檚 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. A hard copy of our annual newsletter is mailed out every September. Please email FACESInfo@NYULangone.org to sign up for our newsletters.
Peace of Mind Lecture Series
In support of the mission of FACES to improve the quality of life for those living with epilepsy and seizure disorders, we offer a series of free lectures to the public to help educate patients and family members. Lectures are provided by doctors and other professionals from the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. To learn more, please email us at FACESInfo@NYULangone.org.
Exclusively Live Peace of Mind Lectures
Some of our Peace of Mind Lectures have adapted a live format due to viewer demand based on requests for interactive presentations and ability to engage in discussions with the featured medical professionals. At this time, in-person lectures occur at 榴莲视频官方 Medical Center in Manhattan and 榴莲视频官方 Hospital鈥擝rooklyn.
The most recent in-person Peace of Mind Lecture featured Amy C. Jongeling, MD, PhD, and covered the topic of 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk About Epilepsy!鈥 with a question-and-answer session afterward.
Please note that live and in-person Peace of Mind Lectures will not have a virtual option to attend, and availability to be recorded for playback will vary.
Peace of Mind Lecture Series Archive
Our Peace of Mind Lecture Series has been a mainstay of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center for over a decade. In recent years, most lectures switched to a virtual format and are recorded for playback at your convenience. Previous lectures provide general information about epilepsy and seizure disorders. Other lectures dig deep into topics such as music therapy, pharmaceutical treatments, ketogenic diets, and more.
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FACES Gala
The annual FACES Gala is a celebration of the FACES community and supports the 榴莲视频官方 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and its physicians, researchers, and specialists in pioneering cutting-edge technologies and breakthroughs toward finding a cure for epilepsy and seizures.
On behalf of FACES and the 榴莲视频官方 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for all generous contributions and support towards FACES Gala 2024. The event raised over $5.5 million and honored the strength and camaraderie of the FACES community, which includes individuals with epilepsy, their loved ones, medical professionals, and researchers.
For any inquiries on FACES Gala 2025, please contact FACESGala@NYULangone.org.
FACES Epilepsy Conference
The annual FACES Epilepsy Conference takes place on a single day, providing patients and their families with the latest information about epilepsy and seizure disorders. FACES invites several epilepsy care advocates and organizations to share their advances in epilepsy management, seizure care, and wellbeing. Several sessions occur throughout the day, which include presenters from all over the country in addition to our very own medical professionals from the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
Watch the informative lectures, panels, and question-and-answer sessions from the most recent conferences here: and .
TeamFACES Endurance Events
Lace up your sneakers and compete on TeamFACES. TeamFACES was established in 2013 and has raised more than $1.1 million to support people with epilepsy and seizure disorders. This program allows athletes to use endurance events as a way to spread epilepsy awareness and fundraise in support of the FACES mission.
TeamFACES is currently a charity partner of the TCS New York City Marathon in November and the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon in March.
Athletes are encouraged to participate for TeamFACES outside of our official events. Whether you are competing in a community 5K or national race, add meaning to your miles and support TeamFACES. You are provided with a TeamFACES shirt, promotional materials, and fundraising support leading up to your race.
Please contact Harrisson Quijote for additional information on fundraising requirements, team availability and other TeamFACES questions at Harrisson.Quijote@NYULangone.org or call 646-558-0824.
Nutrition Services
FACES is proud to fund the nutrition programs at the 榴莲视频官方 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Registered dietitians at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center recognize that diet is an integral part of treatment and wellbeing for people with epilepsy and seizure disorders, and help both children and adults maintain a healthy diet to reduce the frequency of seizures.
Improving nutrition and diet quality starts with balanced meal planning, maintaining energy balance, and drinking enough fluids. Eating a variety of foods helps maximize nutrient intake. Our dietitians often recommend 鈥渆ating the rainbow,鈥 meaning a variety of different colored fruits, vegetables, and grains. Healthy meal planning guidelines emphasize the consumption of lean protein, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, whole grains. It is encouraged that people have at least five servings per day of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Our dietitians typically recommend three different diets鈥攁 ketogenic diet, a modified Atkins diet, and a low glycemic index diet鈥攁nd offer advice on which one may be best based on the type of seizures or epilepsy a person has. For more information on dietary therapies for epilepsy and seizure disorders or building a specialized diet, please schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. An appointment with one of our experts is needed in order to receive nutrition services with one of our registered dietitians. You can schedule an appointment online or call us at 646-558-0800.
Contact Us
The success of FACES is due to the supreme generosity of the participants, donors, and business partners throughout our community. There are many ways to give back to FACES, and the options are seemingly endless. Ranging from financial donations, hosting fundraisers, or simply raising awareness鈥攁ll help is appreciated and welcomed.
For more information or to participate in any of our programs, please email us at FACESInfo@NYULangone.org or call us at 646-558-0900. To receive up-to-date information about our programs and scholarship offerings, . You can also , , and , or .
FACES Staff
Leo Spychala, MPH
Executive Director
Leo.Spychala@NYULangone.org
Harrisson Quijote, MPH, CHES
Program Manager
Harrisson.Quijote@NYULangone.org
Aliza Rivera
Project Coordinator
Aliza.Rivera@NYULangone.org
Peggy Guinnessey, MPH, CTRS
Parent Network Coordinator
Peggy.Guinnessey@NYULangone.org
The FACES team can be reached primarily by email at FACESInfo@NYULangone.org or phone at 646-558-0900.