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Elaine C. Wirrell, M.D.

  1. Pediatrician
  2. Neurologist
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Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Appointments

Elaine C. Wirrell, M.D., is the director of Pediatric Epilepsy at Mayo Clinic. Her clinical focus includes:

  • Early-onset epilepsies and epileptic encephalopathies, including West syndrome, Dravet syndrome, myoclonic atonic epilepsy of Doose, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and CSWS
  • Medically intractable pediatric epilepsy
  • Ketogenic diet therapy
  • Surgical therapy for epilepsy

In addition to clinical activities, Dr. Wirrell is active in research and has authored expert content and published in high-impact journals. She is co-founder of the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium, a multicenter group of pediatric epileptologists who collaborate on clinical research in early-life epilepsies. Her research focuses on the following areas:

  • Predictors of medical intractability in pediatric epilepsy
  • Optimizing early, accurate diagnosis and selection of best therapeutic options for children with epilepsy
  • Detection and management of common comorbidities in pediatric epilepsy

Dr. Wirrell provides mentorship to residents and fellows. She is the director of the Child and Adolescent Neurology Residency Training Program at Mayo Clinic.

  1. Absence seizure
  2. Angelman syndrome
  3. Epilepsy
  4. Febrile seizure
  5. Frontal lobe seizure
  6. Grand mal seizure
  7. Seizure
  • Pediatric epilepsy
  1. 1996
    Fellow - Paediatric NeurologyIWK Hospital for Children
  2. 1993
    Internship/Residency - PaediatricsIWK Hospital for Children
  3. 1989
    MD - HonoursUniversity of British Columbia
  4. 1985
    BSc - Honours (Biochemistry)Simon Fraser University

Certifications

  1. 1996
    NeurologyRoyal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada
  2. 1993
    PediatricsRoyal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada

Awards and honors

  1. 2021
    J Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy CareAmerican Epilepsy Society
  2. 2017
    Fellow of the American Academy of NeurologyMayo Clinic
  3. 2016
    Distinguished Clinician AwardMayo Clinic
  4. 2012
    American Epilepsy Society Infrastructure AwardEstablishment of a Multicenter Pediatric Epilepsy Group (PEG) to Facilitate Collaborative Research in Epileptic Encephalopathies of Infancy and Childhood
  5. 2011
    Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award
  6. 2010
    Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award
  7. 2009
    Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award
  8. 2008
    Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award
  9. 2006
    Clinical Teaching Award: CalgaryProfessional Association of Residents of Alberta
  10. 2006
    Clinical Teaching AwardProfessional Association of Residents of Alberta
  11. 1994
    Parke-Davis Epilepsy Canada Research FellowshipAwarding Organization
  12. 1993
    IWK Governors FellowshipAwarding Organization
  13. 1989
    CIBA Geigy Prize in MedicineAwarding Organization
  14. 1989
    Max and Susie Dodek Medical PrizeAwarding Organization
  15. 1988
    Dr. W.A. Whitelaw Prize in MedicineAwarding Organization
  16. 1988
    Dr. and Mrs. Schaffer Memorial AwardAwarding Organization
  17. 1988
    Leon Lotzkar Memorial ScholarshipAwarding Organization
  18. 1987
    Jennie Gillespie Drennan Memorial ScholarshipAwarding Organization
  19. 1986
    David and Anne Beach ScholarshipAwarding Organization
  20. 1985
    Dean of Science Award upon graduating with B.Sc. DegreeSimon Fraser University

Professional memberships

  1. 2022 - present
    Chair, Medical Advisory BoardLennox-Gastaut Foundation
  2. 2021 - present
    Committee Member, Scientific Affair CommitteeInternational Child Neurology Association
  3. 2021 - present
    MemberPediatrics Commission
  4. 2021 - present
    MemberSNOMED Task Force
  5. 2021 - present
    MemberPediatric Project Task force of the IL AE Global Advocacy Council
  6. 2021 - present
    Co-ChairMedical Therapies Task Force
  7. 2021 - present
    MemberPediatrics Epilepsy Surgery Task Force of the IL AE Surgical Therapies Commission
  8. 2019 - present
    Editor in Chief of Epilepsy.comEpilepsy Foundation of America
  9. 2018 - present
    Chair, Research CommitteeInternational Child Neurology Association
  10. 2018 - present
    Member of the Executive BoardInternational Child Neurology Association
  11. 2018 - present
    Member, Nominating CommitteeInternational Child Neurology Association
  12. 2018 - present
    MemberResearch Committee, Department of Neurology
  13. 2017 - 2021
    MemberPediatric Psychiatry Task Force
  14. 2017 - present
    MemberEducation Committee
  15. 2017 - present
    Co-ChairNosology and Definitions Commission
  16. 2016 - 2019
    Pediatric Content Committee ChairAmerican Epilepsy Society
  17. 2016 - 2018
    Annual Program Committee memberAmerican Epilepsy Society
  18. 2016 - present
    Educational Symposium for Epilepsy EducationChild Neurology Society
  19. 2016 - 2021
    Topic Chair-EpilepsyAmerican Academy of Neurology
  20. 2016 - present
    Education Committee member, Department of NeurologyMayo Clinic
  21. 2016 - present
    Residency Training committee member - NeurologyMayo Clinic
  22. 2016 - present
    Program Director - CANMayo Clinic
  23. 2014 - 2016
    Investigators Workshop CommitteeAmerican Epilepsy Society
  24. 2014 - present
    Member, Medical Advisory BoardDravet Syndrome Foundation
  25. 2012 - present
    Grant ReviewerEpilepsy Foundation of America
  26. 2010 - 2015
    Founding Member and Steering Committee MemberPediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium
  27. 2010 - 2014
    MemberClassification Committee
  28. 2009
    ReviewerAmerican Academy of Neurology
  29. 2009 - 2014
    Vice ChairRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - Neurology Examination committee
  30. 2008 - 2015
    MemberDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Research Committee
  31. 2008
    Grant ReviewerFoundation, Alberta Children's Hospital
  32. 2007
    ChairPediatric Epilepsy Platform Session, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  33. 2007 - present
    CCC member - Child and Adolescent NeurologyMayo Clinic
  34. 2007
    ChairPediatric Neurology Platform Session, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  35. 2007 - 2014
    MemberFaculty of One Thousand, International League Against Epilepsy
  36. 2007
    Task Force MemberProfessional Medical Skills Education for Undergraduate Medical Students, University of Calgary
  37. 2007
    Grant ReviewerFoundation, Alberta Children's Hospital
  38. 2006
    Grant ReviewerHospital for Sick Children Foundation
  39. 2006
    ChairEpileptic Encephalopathies Meeting, Montreal, International Child Neurology Association
  40. 2006
    ChairChild Health Research Day, Alberta Children's Hospital
  41. 2006 - 2007
    MemberAFP Negotiation Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  42. 2006 - 2007
    MemberAFP Accountability Subcommittee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  43. 2006
    ReviewerChild Health Research Protocols, Alberta Children's Hospital
  44. 2005 - 2007
    MemberProfessionalism Committee, University of Calgary
  45. 2004 - 2006
    MemberNeurological Determination of Death Evaluation Committee, Canadian Association of Child Neurology
  46. 2004
    ChairPediatric Neurology Platform Session, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  47. 2004
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  48. 2003
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  49. 2003 - 2014
    Member of Examination committeeRoyal college of physicians and surgeons of Canada
  50. 2003 - 2004
    MemberPediatric Executive Committee, University of Calgary
  51. 2003 - 2004
    MemberNeurosciences Academic Executive Committee, University of Calgary
  52. 2003 - 2007
    MemberScientific Committee, Canadian Association of Child Neurology
  53. 2003 - 2004
    ChairPediatric Epilepsy Section, Intractable Epilepsy Working Group, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  54. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  55. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  56. 2002 - 2006
    MemberEducation Committee, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  57. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  58. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  59. 2001 - 2007
    MemberAdult Neurology Residency Training Program, University of Calgary
  60. 2001 - 2007
    MemberPediatric Neurology Residency Training Committee, University of Calgary
  61. 2001 - 2007
    DirectorRefractory Epilepsy Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital
  62. 2001 - 2006
    Secretary/TreasurerCanadian League Against Epilepsy
  63. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  64. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Medical Genetics, University of Calgary
  65. 2001
    MemberResident Interview Panel, General Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  66. 2001
    MemberResident Interview Panel, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  67. 2001
    ReviewerChild Health Research Protocols, Alberta Children's Hospital
  68. 2000
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Calgary
  69. 2000 - 2007
    Physician LeaderRefractory Epilepsy Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital
  70. 2000 - 2009
    MemberCanadian Pediatric Epilepsy Consortium
  71. 1997 - 2000
    MemberBSc. Medicine Committee, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
  72. 1997 - 2000
    MemberResearch Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan
  73. 1996 - 2000
    MemberResidency Advisory Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan
  74.  
    MemberMinnesota Board of Medical Practice
  75.  
    MemberAmerican Epilepsy Society
  76.  
    MemberCanadian Medical Association

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.