As President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, Bee is dedicated to bringing the organization's vision—"So No One Faces Epilepsy Alone"—to life. She leads with a bold, forward-thinking approach to transform epilepsy care, advancing innovation, promoting health equity, and amplifying patient advocacy. With a relentless focus on systemic change and real-world impact, she is driving initiatives that improve access to care, accelerate research, and empower the 3.4 million people in the U.S. living with epilepsy to live fuller, healthier lives.

Bee is the strategic architect of EmpowERD, an initiative designed to revolutionize the use of patient data in the epilepsy space. EmpowERD brings disruption and innovation to how data informs treatment, accelerates research, and empowers individuals, positioning the Epilepsy Foundation at the forefront of patient-centered solutions and systemic change.

With more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, Bee has held leadership roles at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, American Red Cross, Hands on Network, and the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities. She has a strong track record of securing transformational funding, building mission-driven partnerships, and advancing initiatives that improve health outcomes.

Beyond her role at the Epilepsy Foundation, Bee is a board member of the Sphinx Organization and serves as a Special Advisor to the International Bureau for Epilepsy, contributing to global efforts to enhance epilepsy awareness, access to care, and advocacy. She is also an active board member of the Ohio Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.

Bee holds an undergraduate degree in Social Science from Gannon University and certifications in frontline fundraising and education policy. She and her husband, Philip R. Lee, live in Westerville, Ohio, and have three adult children. Among other leadership awards, in 2023, the Urban League of Columbus recognized her as a HerStory Maker for her leadership and impact.

What Are You Doing With Your Minute?

Merri Hackbarth brings over 16 years of experience in training service dogs to her role as Board President at Domesti-PUPS. As a dedicated trainer, she specializes in seizure response and alert dogs, helping individuals and families understand the transformative impact these service animals can have. In her presentation, Merri will share valuable insights into the capabilities of seizure response dogs and guide attendees in determining whether this essential tool is the right fit for them or their loved ones. Her passion for enhancing lives through the bond between humans and dogs is at the heart of her work.

Seizure Alert Dogs: Exploring Your Options

• Is a service dog right for you? Are you ready for a service dog? The real work starts at home
• Difference between a skilled companion and service dog
• Demonstration and explanation of seizure alert and response tasks

As Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Outreach, Brandon Laughlin, MSE, is responsible for the development and oversight of CURE Epilepsy educational programming, including research webinars, community CARES events, Treatment Talks on social media, and semi-annual impact reports.

As a result, he also works closely with all CURE Epilepsy corporate partners to identify partnership opportunities and cultivate relationships. In addition, he ensures that all programming and partnerships reflect the needs of the epilepsy patient community through the management of the CURE Epilepsy Community Advisory Committee (CECAC) and the CURE Epilepsy Champions and Team CURE Epilepsy program.

He manages relationships with corporate partners and sponsors. He also continues to work closely with the CURE Epilepsy Research Team, as his initial role within the organization included the management of the Epilepsy Genetics Initiative program.

CURE Epilepsy presents the "Junior Researcher Training Program"

Trey obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill and an additional masters in pharmaceutical science at UNC Chapel Hill. His professional career began as an outpatient pharmacist in UNC’s neurosciences hospital. He transitioned to work as an inpatient pharmacist at a neuropsychiatric hospital in Butner, NC.  After a decade working on teaching teams in neuropsychopharmacology, Trey transitioned to a Medical Science Liaison position with Teva pharmaceuticals. As a person with epilepsy, Trey has now has transitioned to a more personally meaningful MSL role at Jazz Pharmaceuticals supporting their epilepsy and movement disorders team

Five Things to Know: FDA- vs Non-FDA-Approved Cannabinoid Products

As a pediatric neurologist, Dr. Davis has trained in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous-system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscle.

He received his medical degree at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and served as a fellow of child neurology at Children’s Hospital in Boston. In addition, he trained at Harvard University, where he served as assistant professor. He is also a United States Army veteran, where he served with honor for 10 years.

Dr. Davis serves as co-director of pediatric epilepsy for the Level 4 Epilepsy Center at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and medical director of the Muscular Dystrophy Orlando Clinic.

As a husband and father, he understands the importance of family and community in a patient’s well-being.

“We focus on how we can get a patient’s epileptic seizures under control. While we remain committed to pediatric health care, we’ve expanded into some adult issues. It’s a compliment when the parents of my pediatric patients come to me to help them with their own health issues. Let us show you how we can help you.”

CREDENTIALS

• Received a medical degree from Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
• President and founder of Pediatrix Neurology and Epilepsy Center of Central Florida in Orlando.
• Assistant professor for Florida State University.
• Board-certified in neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry and neurophysiology.
• Fellow of child neurology at Children’s Hospital Boston.
• Trained at Harvard University, Boston.
• Served as assistant professor at Harvard University.
• Co-director of pediatric epilepsy for the Level 4 Epilepsy Center at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
• Medical director of Muscular Dystrophy Orlando Clinic.
• Veteran of the United States Army.

Thometta Cozart has nearly 20 years of experience in public health, public relations, and health communications. She currently serves as the senior director of the Multicultural Outreach and Health Equity Program at the Epilepsy Foundation. As a part of the Foundation's Mission Outcome Team, Thometta oversees the Public Health Institute and Social Determinants of Health Outreach Mini-Grant Project. Additionally, she supports efforts to raise awareness of epilespy disparities and promote inclusive programming across the Foundation.

Before joining the Foundation, Thometta managed a national lupus health disparities education and awareness program funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health. In the past, Thometta has served as the Deputy Press Secretary for the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee, Florida, as well as Public Relations Manager for the Department’s Women’s Health Program and Office of Minority Health. She completed her Health Equity and Policy Fellowship at the Ohio Commission on Minority Health in Columbus, Ohio.

The Washington State and North Carolina native has a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Bethune-Cookman University, a master's degree in public relations from Florida A&M University, and a master's in public health from the University of South Florida. She is certified in seizure first aid, public health, and government meeting planning, in addition to being a master certifed health education specialist.

Be a Seizure Safe School Ambassador at Your Elementary and Middle Schools!

Johnny Douglas is an Outreach and Intake Specialist with the Epilepsy Foundation Florida/ Florida Epilepsy Services for two years. He is dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals and families impacted by epilepsy, ensuring they have the resources and care they need. A passionate advocate for wellness, Johnny is also a vegan and skilled chef, incorporating his love for plant-based nutrition into his holistic approach to well-being. With a focus on empathy and raising awareness, Johnny works to eliminate stigma surrounding epilepsy while empowering others to live confidently and independently.

Be a Seizure Safe School Ambassador at Your Elementary and Middle Schools!

Brigid Baffico: mom, teacher, and Epilepsy advocate was diagnosed with Epilepsy at 17-years-old after experiencing a seizure while cheerleading during halftime of her Senior year football game. Since then, she has been educating about Epilepsy awareness, first aid, and most importantly, acceptance. In the past 16 years, her primary focus has become the grade school and middle school classrooms where she truly believes we can have the most impact by educating the future leaders of tomorrow how to create a safe and inclusive world for all those living with Epilepsy.

Moderator

Dr. Shelly Wang is a pediatric neurosurgeon and Medical Director of Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery at AdventHealth for Children (Orlando, Florida). She is also an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in Canada, followed by a residency in neurosurgery at the same institution. Dr. Wang then pursued a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She also completed a Master of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts. Epilepsy surgery is an area of Dr. Wang’s academic passion and clinical expertise; she has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, and her research has been featured in various international conferences. She finds great fulfillment in building lasting relationships with her patients while providing them with comprehensive care in a multidisciplinary setting.

Dr. Wang is board certified in pediatric neurosurgery through the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery (ABPNS). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano, and traveling.

Panelist

Dr. Baumgartner has over 25 years' experience in the surgical management of intractable epilepsy. He and Dr. Ki Lee opened the comprehensive epilepsy program at Advent Health-Orlando in 2011 which is amongst the highest volume epilepsy surgery programs in the US. He was an early adopter of LITT therapy and RNS for epilepsy treatment. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed his neurosurgery residency and pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of California-San Francisco. He and his wife Linda have pioneered the use of cellular therapy to treat hearing loss in children. He has four children and enjoys cycling.

Panelist

Sophia Seeger founded and became President of a non-profit at 19 years old. She is a public speaker, advocate and now a published author. Diagnosed with absence seizures at age 4, she found inspiration in the companionship of her therapy dog, Milo. This led her to create Milo&Me, a 501(C)(3) non-profit. They host a virtual support group for teens with epilepsy, and a care package program to uplift epilepsy patients in need. Milo&Me also provides community initiatives about epilepsy in their area. Her work has been recognized by the Epilepsy Foundation of CT and the National Epilepsy Foundation, as well as local officials.

Panelist

Hi, I’m Sofia Quintana (or Sofi)!

I’m 18 years old, and I was diagnosed with focal epilepsy in third grade. Since then, my journey has been anything but easy—I’ve had to deal with stigma, transferring high schools due to mistreatment, and, of course, the challenge of growing up different as a teenager. But instead of letting those struggles define me, I’ve used them to fuel my passion for advocacy.

I created Project T.E.E.N. (Teens Experiencing Epilepsy Now) to bring comfort to teenagers like me who have to spend days in the hospital for video EEGs. Through this initiative, I provide self-care items that help make their hospital stay a little more bearable. My advocacy has also led me to Tallahassee three times, where I fought for HB 173 (Care of Students with Epilepsy Act) and increased funding for Epilepsy Alliance Florida. Along the way, I’ve been honored with the Silver Knight Honorable Mention, Univision’s Orgullo de Nuestra Juventud Award for academics and service, and the Clayton Feig Award for youth advocacy from Epilepsy Alliance Florida.

Now, I’m majoring in Public Policy at Florida International University (FIU) with hopes of becoming a lobbyist, focusing on advocacy for neurological conditions like epilepsy. I’ll also be traveling to Washington, D.C. for a Population Health seminar with my school. In the future, I hope to release a book based on my blogs, continuing to share my story and help others in the epilepsy community.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped who I am today—and I’m just getting started

Panelist