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West Hartford, CT, December 2, 2005: The American Epilepsy Society (AES) today announced the recipients of the International Scholars Awards at the 59th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The American Epilepsy Societys Annual Meeting is the nations premiere conference for epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and serves as an international forum for the exchange of current findings in epilepsy research.

AES International Scholars Program

The AES International Affairs Committee created the International Scholars Program as a way to continue educational efforts globally. Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, M.D. and Albert Kwaku Akpalu, Jr., M.D. were selected as the recipients. As part of the International Scholars program, Drs. Kakooza-Mwesige and Akpalu of Africa will visit the United States to attend the Society of Neuroscience Annual Meeting, work for three weeks with an AES member host in a clinical research lab and will be guests at the AES Annual Meeting.

Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, M.D., Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda

Dr. Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige is a pediatrician based in Kampala, Uganda. She is employed by the Ugandan Ministry of Health in Mulago Hospital and Complex, which is the largest and the main national referral hospital of the country. This hospital is also home to the renowned Makerere University Medical School.

She works in the department of Pediatrics and Child Health and her work involves: in-patient care of children admitted on the ward; carrying out 24-hour emergency calls in the acute care unit once every two weeks; running two weekly specialist clinics on pediatric neurology and pediatric HIV/AIDS; teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical students as well as nurses and paramedical personnel on pediatric issues; supervision of postgraduate masters students research theses; conducting health service-related and clinical research; supporting supervision of rural health centers in consultant pediatric services once every three months; and conducting community sensitization talks/seminars on topical pediatric issues.

Dr. Kakooza-Mwesige has received the bulk of her educational training from Uganda; however, has also attended short courses in various countries in Europe and Africa. She completed her Master's of Medicine in Pediatrics at the Makerere University Medical School in September 1999. She has special interest in neurology, especially the conditions of epilepsy and autism in children. She has recently completed a study in which she was looking at the features associated with epilepsy in children with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Kakooza-Mwesige is being hosted by Frances Jensen, M.D., The Childrens Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Albert Kwaku Akpalu, Jr., M.D., UGMS Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana

Dr. Akpalu is a graduate of the University of Ghana Medical School, started his residency in internal medicine at the Korle Bu teaching hospital, received his M.Sc. in Clinical Neuroscience (with distinction) from the Institute of Neurology, Queens Square, University College of London and graduated as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Internal Medicine in 2004.

He had the opportunity to visit the National Epilepsy Centre in Chalfont, UK and to work with the neurophysiology unit of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UK where he acquired skills in EMG and EEG reporting. He is currently the Physician Specialist in charge of the neurology clinic and teaches general medicine and neurology at the University of Ghana Medical School.

In addition Dr. Akpalu runs a busy general clinic and a weekly neurology clinic which includes over a third of epilepsy patients, interprets both adult and pediatric EEGs as well as performs neurological consultations across the length and breadth of Ghana. He has access to a paper EEG and a digital EEG machine, and just recently an EMG machine. He expects to receive two CT scanning and an MRI machine later this year. Dr. Akpalu reports that there are currently three practicing neurologists in Ghana.

Dr. Akpalu is looking forward to participating in the International Scholars Program and the opportunity to have access to a first class epilepsy center. He believes this experience will help him improve patient care back home. He hopes to re-launch the Epilepsy Society of Ghana when he returns. Dr. Akpalu will be hosted by Peter Crino, M.D., University of Pennsylvania, PA.

About The American Epilepsy Society (AES)

AES is one of the oldest neurological professional organizations in the nation, with roots dating to 1898. The Society promotes research and education for professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of Epilepsy. Membership in the Society is made up of clinicians, researchers investigating basic and clinical aspects of epilepsy, and other health-care professionals interested in seizure disorders. Members represent pediatric and adult sides of epilepsy.

The Society is based in West Hartford, CT and holds this annual scientific meeting annually, offering symposia, lectures, poster presentations and exhibitions. The meeting attracts more than 3,500 professionals from throughout the U.S. and abroad and offers excellent opportunities for networking and sharing of ideas.

For more information about this award or the AES Annual meeting, please contact: Christer Osterling at 860.586.7505 or costerling@aesnet.org.

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