Request an Appointment

Elaine C. Wirrell, M.D.

  1. Pediatrician
  2. Neurologist

Departments

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

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

Professional memberships

  1. 2010 - present
    MemberMember ILAE Classification Committee International League Against Epilepsy
  2. 2009
    ReviewerAmerican Academy of Neurology
  3. 2009 - present
    Vice ChairChild Neurology, Neurology Examination Committee, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeonsof Canada
  4. 2008
    Grant ReviewerFoundation, Alberta Children's Hospital
  5. 2007
    ChairPediatric Epilepsy Platform Session, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  6. 2007
    ChairPediatric Neurology Platform Session, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  7. 2007 - present
    MemberFaculty of One Thousand, International League Against Epilepsy
  8. 2007
    Task Force MemberProfessional Medical Skills Education for Undergraduate Medical Students, University of Calgary
  9. 2007
    Grant ReviewerFoundation, Alberta Children's Hospital
  10. 2006
    Grant ReviewerHospital for Sick Children Foundation
  11. 2006
    ChairEpileptic Encephalopathies Meeting, Montreal, International Child Neurology Association
  12. 2006
    ChairChild Health Research Day, Alberta Children's Hospital
  13. 2006 - 2007
    MemberAFP Negotiation Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  14. 2006 - 2007
    MemberAFP Accountability Subcommittee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  15. 2006
    ReviewerChild Health Research Protocols, Alberta Children's Hospital
  16. 2005 - 2007
    MemberProfessionalism Committee, University of Calgary
  17. 2004
    MemberNeurological Determination of Death Evaluation Committee, Canadian Association of Child Neurology
  18. 2004
    ChairPediatric Neurology Platform Session, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  19. 2004
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  20. 2003
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  21. 2003 - present
    MemberNeurology Examination Committee, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  22. 2003 - 2004
    MemberPediatric Executive Committee, University of Calgary
  23. 2003 - 2004
    MemberNeurosciences Academic Executive Committee, University of Calgary
  24. 2003 - 2007
    MemberScientific Committee, Canadian Association of Child Neurology
  25. 2003 - 2004
    ChairPediatric Epilepsy Section, Intractable Epilepsy Working Group, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  26. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  27. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  28. 2002 - 2006
    MemberEducation Committee, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  29. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  30. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  31. 2001 - 2007
    MemberAdult Neurology Residency Training Program, University of Calgary
  32. 2001 - 2007
    MemberPediatric Neurology Residency Training Committee, University of Calgary
  33. 2001 - 2007
    DirectorRefractory Epilepsy Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital
  34. 2001 - 2006
    Secretary/TreasurerCanadian League Against Epilepsy
  35. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  36. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Medical Genetics, University of Calgary
  37. 2001
    MemberResident Interview Panel, General Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  38. 2001
    MemberResident Interview Panel, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  39. 2001
    ReviewerChild Health Research Protocols, Alberta Children's Hospital
  40. 2000
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Calgary
  41. 2000 - 2007
    Physician LeaderRefractory Epilepsy Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital
  42. 2000 - present
    MemberCanadian Pediatric Epilepsy Consortium
  43. 1997 - 2000
    MemberBSc. Medicine Committee, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
  44. 1997 - 2000
    MemberResearch Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan
  45. 1996 - 2000
    MemberResidency Advisory Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan
  46.  
    MemberMinnesota Board of Medical Practice
  47.  
    MemberAmerican Epilepsy Society
  48.  
    MemberCanadian Medical Association

Publications

See my publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.