窪蹋勛圖厙

 

A warm welcome

- July 21, 2008

Sarah Dennis addresses the reception in Chester. (Danny Abriel Photo)

On an idyllic Nova Scotia summer evening in Chester, Dr. Michael Esser, Dalhousies newly-appointed William Dennis Chair in Pediatric Epilepsy Research, was welcomed by the Dennis family and friends and supporters of the chair.

Commenting on the meaning of the occasion, Sarah Dennis says: For me its about families. Its the loss of a beloved member of our family and the support weve gotten from families since Williams death. I think its about trying to help other families in Atlantic Canada. Its the Dal family, its the Esser family coming here. It really is about families.

In 2002, Ms. Dennis brother William died suddenly, at the age of 30, from complications related to an epileptic seizure. The $3.5-million fundraising goal for the Chairthe first of its kind in Canadawas realized thanks to a $2.3-million gift from the Dennis family and the generosity of other donors. Williams father, Graham Dennis, observes: I think youve got to return to society what its given you.

Dr. Michael Esser. (Danny Abriel Photo)

Its unique in Canadian medicine and in Canadian research to be offered this opportunity, says Dr. Esser, who was greeted in remarks by Ms. Dennis, 窪蹋勛圖厙president Dr. Tom Traves and Dean of Medicine Dr. Harold Cook. Its a great melding of individual sponsorship and family sponsorship and two fine institutions, the IWK and Dalhousie, coming together with a unified goal to help kids.

Dr. Esser, who will be based at the IWK Health Centre, has a cross-appointment with Dalhousies pediatrics and pharmacology departments. In addition to carrying out basic science and clinical research, he will work to increase public awareness of epilepsy.

Dr. Cook says it surprises people how frequently epilepsy appears in the population and at various stages of life. Theres a lot we do not know about its origins, and even the best treatments in some areas are still somewhat experimental.

He says understanding the basic underlying science and correlating that with clinical observations will ultimately lead to improved care.