Seventh Annual Purple Day® Expo — March 28, 2026, Orlando, Florida

Ryan earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from The Ohio State University, launching a career that has spanned more than 30 years as a licensed pharmacist in both Ohio and Florida. Throughout his professional journey, he has remained dedicated to advancing patient care, mentoring future clinicians, and strengthening the medical and scientific community.

Education
Doctor of Pharmacy – The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy

Experience
30+ years experience in community and specialty pharmacy, academia, and the pharmaceutical industry

Role at Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Senior Medical Science Liaison – Epilepsy & Movement Disorders – AL | FL | GA | Puerto Rico VV-MED-70616

Cannabinoid 101: What are the Five Things to Know

Elizabeth lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and two children. She is a board-certified adult health clinical nurse specialist. After receiving a B.A. in Psychology from Austin College, she completed a Mast or Science in Nursing from U.T. Austin.

Intro to VNS Therapy

Caitlin Grzeskowiak is the Chief Research and Innovation Officer at the Epilepsy Foundation. In this role, she leads EFA initiatives that expand access and improve new therapies and tools for people living with epilepsy. Dr. Grzeskowiak has been with the Epilepsy Foundation since 2020. Prior to joining the Epilepsy Foundation, she launched civic science outreach programs at Research!America. Dr. Grzeskowiak completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine and completed the Stanford Ignite program through the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She earned her PhD in Molecular and Human Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine focusing on platform technology development.

Turning Experience into Evidence: An EmpowER&D™ Workshop

This interactive session introduces people to EmpowER&D™ (Empowering Epilepsy Research & Development), the Epilepsy Foundation’s secure online platform designed to transform how epilepsy research and development move forward. EmpowER&D enables people living with epilepsy, or their caregivers, to securely share their health information, connect electronic medical records, and actively partner in research, helping build a living dataset that reflects real-world experiences. During the session, caregivers will learn how the platform works, what information is collected, and how each story contributes to shaping future treatments, improving care, and accelerating research for the epilepsy community.

As the Danny Did Programs Manager, Katie has the role to make a direct impact on families who reach out in need. Her career has included time as a paramedic, where she gained experience in treating those who had suffered a seizure. Prior to working at Danny Did, Katie was a long-time volunteer for the organization, and she serves on its Associate Board. As a former neighbor to the Stantons, she held a special friendship with Danny. She can be reached at kgaughan@dannydid.org.

Seizure Detection Devices: Tools That Support Safety and Care

Learn about available seizure detection devices, their benefits and limitations, how they can provide peace of mind and support faster response during seizures, how they may help mitigate seizure-related risks including SUDEP, and how the Danny Did Foundation can serve as a resource for education and support.

Brigid is a passionate advocate for Epilepsy awareness, a teacher of the arts, and thrilled to be involved again in making this year's convention come to life. Her journey into advocacy began at her high school homecoming game at 16, when she experienced a tonic-clonic seizure while cheerleading during her halftime routine. Ever since that life-changing event, Brigid has dedicated herself to speaking up and fighting for those affected by epilepsy.

Her work as an Ambassador for the Anita Kaufmann Foundation has been instrumental in raising awareness and funds for this important cause. Brigid has been involved in several successful Purple Day campaigns, including "Lace Up for Epilepsy," where she ran a half marathon to raise funds and awareness and "Amp Up Awareness", a concert and fundraising campaign that combines her love of music with her passion for advocacy. However, most often, you can find her in the classrooms, promoting awareness and seizure first aid since she strongly believes that awareness starts with our youth.

As a music, musical theatre, and piano teacher, Brigid shares the joys of expression and "dancing through life" with her students. She embodies the message of resilience, encouraging others to find their voice and embrace their own unique rhythm. Through her tireless advocacy and her dedication to teaching, Brigid is making a profound difference in the lives of many, turning her personal challenges into a source of strength and inspiration for all.

Art Speaks

Dr. Shelly Wang is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon, Medical Director of Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando, and an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She completed neurosurgery residency training at the University of Toronto, a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Miami, and earned a Master of Public Health at Harvard University. Dr. Wang is actively involved in epilepsy research to advance the field and bring the latest innovations to her patients. She is dedicated to helping children with epilepsy live happier, safer, and fuller lives. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano, and traveling.

Monika Jones is a lawyer turned patient advocate, the founder/executive director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance, and the mother of a child with a rare brain malformation and medication-resistant seizures who required a hemispherectomy. She advocates for democratizing health information and using plain language so families can understand and act on complex medical issues. She is also the principal investigator of the Global Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Registry, the only patient-driven (by parent proxy) effort collecting data on developmental outcomes after pediatric epilepsy surgery. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, People, NPR, Netflix’s Diagnosis, and the documentary Life With Half A Brain. Monika has held leadership and advisory roles across disability and epilepsy organizations and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications, including work in Epilepsia and a chapter in Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Textbook.

"Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Approaches and Family Resources"

Lauren Seeley Aguirre is an award-winning science journalist and former producer for the PBS science documentary series NOVA and its website, pbs.org/nova. Her articles on neuroscience have appeared in STAT, The Boston Globe Ideas Section, Undark, The Atlantic, and The Scientist. She is the author of two books: "The Memory Thief and the Secrets Behind How We Remember — A Medical Mystery" (2021) and "Epilepsy for Dummies" (2025).

Jumping into Life

Hear how Lauren Seeley Aguirre, science journalist and co-author of "Epilepsy for Dummies," found ways for her family of six — four of whom have epilepsy — to balance living fully and vibrantly while avoiding unnecessary risks. Drawing from her personal journey, the experiences of other families, and the expertise of her co-author, epileptologist Elizabeth Thiele, Lauren shares strategies for how to navigate life with epilepsy.

Seserman has always loved words! She wrote short stories as a child, went through AP English in high school, and worked on her university’s newspaper. She majored in Communications at Northwestern University and went on to earn a MS degree from Northwestern in Corporate Public Relations. After graduating, Seserman practiced PR at Edelman Worldwide in Chicago for six years followed by running public relations at LucasArts Entertainment Company outside of San Francisco for another six. She took a significant amount of time off to manage her health after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and epilepsy. Also during that time, she and her husband, Doug, adopted twin daughters from Romania. Following her epilepsy diagnosis, Seserman volunteered weekly with hospitalized epilepsy patients. Time spent with her patients inspired her to write the Epilectra Graphic Novel series to help people with disabilities shift their mindset from one of “I can’t” to one of “I can.” Today, she promotes Epilectra and speaks worldwide about on the topic of Transforming Your Disability Into Your Superability.

Jumping into Life

Hear how Lauren Seeley Aguirre, science journalist and co-author of "Epilepsy for Dummies," found ways for her family of six — four of whom have epilepsy — to balance living fully and vibrantly while avoiding unnecessary risks. Drawing from her personal journey, the experiences of other families, and the expertise of her co-author, epileptologist Elizabeth Thiele, Lauren shares strategies for how to navigate life with epilepsy.

Sophia Seeger is the Founder and President of Milo&Me, blogger behind @Xofromsophia, public speaker, children’s book author, and advocate. Sophia has known what she’s wanted to do since birth… talk a lot and one of her favorite subjects is epilepsy awareness.

Born and raised in New England, her childhood was filled with love, music, dancing, and family until everything changed when their outgoing 4-year-old suddenly developed absence seizures. What followed was nearly two decades of uncontrolled, hourly seizures and an uphill battle her family never expected.

A few years into her journey, during a hospital visit, a therapy dog walked through her door and for a moment, everything she was carrying melted away. That day, the Seeger family promised that when they got a dog, it would become a therapy dog. Two years later, Milo now an 11-year-old retired therapy dog who is Doberman Pinscher entered their lives and helped inspire what would become so much more.

Growing up with epilepsy often left Sophia feeling like she was the only one living with it. At 15, she decided she had enough and turned her passion for talking and writing into an Instagram account called Milo&Me. What started as a blog documenting life with epilepsy quickly grew into something much bigger. At 17, she was recognized as the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut’s gala speaker, and at 18, she traveled to Capitol Hill to lobby for the Seizure Safe Schools Act, which ultimately passed.

Milo&Me eventually became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing joy, resources, community, and education to those living with epilepsy, while leading initiatives across Connecticut. At 19, Sophia released her first children’s book, Milo&Me: Learn About Absence Epilepsy, now used as a resource by families across the United States.

Sophia lives her life with epilepsy out loud and is on a personal mission to ensure no one feels alone aiming to be the “epilepsy big sister” so many never had.

Through Milo&Me, she collaborates with hospitals like Boston Children’s and partners with organizations across the epilepsy community to bring comfort, advocacy, and connection to patients and families.

When she’s not yapping, you can find Sophia drinking an iced latte and learning more about her favorite animal orca whales.

Laura Greenwald is a lifelong learner with a deep passion for epilepsy awareness and education. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 10 after experiencing unprovoked seizures the year prior. Growing up in Medfield, Massachusetts, Laura graduated high school as a student-athlete and served as Miss Massachusetts Teen USA Ambassador.

She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University, while simultaneously obtaining her National Emergency Medical Technician license. A major seizure in 2024 challenged her in new ways and reignited her dedication to epilepsy advocacy, now from the perspective of navigating adulthood with the condition.

In 2025, Laura returned to the pageant stage, earning a spot in the Top 15 at Miss Florida USA among a group of accomplished women. Since then, she has shared her personal journey on various platforms and continues to teach seizure first aid at local events and fundraisers.

Through her experiences, Laura noticed a gap between how epilepsy is commonly understood and how it’s actually lived. This realization led to the creation of Seeing Seizures, an initiative focused on making epilepsy more visible through storytelling, education, and community engagement. Since the inception, Laura has appeared on local news stations, taught seizure first aid to hundreds of local Palm Beach residents, and has hosted multiple fundraisers to further fund epilepsy research.

Laura spends every day teaching her community how to move and understand their bodies as a personal trainer and is looking forward to stepping back on the Miss Florida USA stage in the summer of 2026, representing her community of West Palm Beach.

Isabella Ismail is an 18-year-old epilepsy advocate whose commitment to awareness and education is rooted in personal experience. After experiencing her first grand mal seizure at the age of nine, she began a journey that shaped her resilience and strengthened her dedication to advocacy. Now seizure-free for three years, Isabella devotes her efforts to promoting understanding, preparedness, and meaningful support for individuals and families affected by epilepsy.

As President of her school’s Club Purple, Isabella leads initiatives focused on increasing epilepsy education, reducing stigma, and fostering peer support within her school community. She is also the founder of Bright Minds, a service-driven initiative through which she designed and delivered sensory calm kits to children in the seizure unit at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, providing comfort and practical resources during hospitalization.

A member of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, Isabella continues to expand her knowledge of healthcare and leadership while preparing for a future in the medical field. Through her involvement in Girl Scouts of the USA, she educates her fellow troop members on seizure recognition and first aid response, equipping them with the skills and confidence to act effectively in emergency situations. She has also developed and presented educational workshops throughout her school and community to advance awareness and safety.

Isabella is currently developing My Space, an educational and supportive platform featuring guided imagery and shared experiences from children and teens living with epilepsy. Through structured dialogue and resource-based support, she aims to create an informed, empowering environment for young individuals navigating similar challenges.

Through leadership, advocacy, and service, Isabella remains committed to advancing epilepsy awareness and demonstrating that a diagnosis does not limit potential it strengthens purpose.

I am Audrina Griffith. I am 15 years old and was diagnosed at 10 years old with idiopathic generalized epilepsy; however, my first known seizure was at 2 years old. I have tonic-clonic seizures in my sleep and sometimes during the day. My epilepsy journey has taken me through multiple medications and neurologists until finally finding the correct medication regimen for me. I have spent weeks in the hospital, countless visits to the ED, and undergone numerous scans/tests. This school year (Sophomore year) I switched to an online school to attempt to get my seizures under control, and I am happy to say I am now over 8 months seizure free! In my free time I compete on 2 competitive elite cheer teams and junior coach 4 younger teams. I hope to be an inspiration and help fellow warriors as we all go through our epilepsy journeys.

Kaleigh Covard is an 18-year-old senior in high school. She is a passionate advocate for the epilepsy community in her free time, alongside being a dedicated student-athlete. Kaleigh had her first grand mal seizure at age 13. She was confused, as she had grown up a very healthy kid. What felt like millions of tests later, she received her epilepsy diagnosis a year later, after her second grand mal seizure.

Kaleigh has played volleyball for the past several years while managing her epilepsy. She has hosted three annual “Purple Out for Epilepsy Awareness” volleyball games at her school and has spoken to each crowd, educating them about epilepsy.

In 2022, Kaleigh was nominated to be the Teens Speak Up 2023 representative for Florida. She traveled to Washington, D.C., where she met many other teens like her from across the country. It was an incredible experience that helped her realize she wasn’t alone in her journey and that there are powerful ways to advocate for ourselves.

Now, Kaleigh actively advocates and works to support young girls who have gone through similar experiences. She never wants anyone to feel alone in their diagnosis. Everyone deserves to know that epilepsy does not define them.

Spenser, the founder of the 1 in 26 Athlete Foundation, is a dedicated advocate for athletes with epilepsy. Diagnosed at a young age, Spenser faced significant challenges in navigating her condition. However, through perseverance and determination, she not only excelled in her athletic career but also became a prominent figure in the epilepsy community.Her experience as a high-level athlete living with epilepsy provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals in this population. Spenser's foundation is committed to supporting aspiring athletes with epilepsy and promoting awareness of the condition.

"Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Approaches and Family Resources"