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Elaine C. Wirrell, M.D.

  1. Pediatrician
  2. Neurologist

Departments

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. 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. 2019 - 2020
    Editor in Chief of Epilepsy.comEpilepsy Foundation of America
  2. 2018 - 2020
    Member of the Executive BoardInternational Child Neurology Association
  3. 2018 - present
    Chair, Research CommitteeInternational Child Neurology Society
  4. 2016 - 2019
    Pediatric Content Committee ChairAmerican Epilepsy Society
  5. 2016 - 2018
    Annual Program Committee memberAmerican Epilepsy Society
  6. 2016 - 2020
    Chair, Pellock Educational Symposium for Epilepsy educationChild Neurology Society
  7. 2016 - 2020
    Topic Chair-EpilepsyAmerican Academy of Neurology
  8. 2016 - present
    Education Committee member, Department of NeurologyMayo Clinic
  9. 2016 - present
    Residency Training committee member - NeurologyMayo Clinic
  10. 2016 - present
    Program Director - CANMayo Clinic
  11. 2010 - present
    MemberMember ILAE Classification Committee International League Against Epilepsy
  12. 2009
    ReviewerAmerican Academy of Neurology
  13. 2009 - 2014
    Vice ChairRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - Neurology Examination committee
  14. 2009 - present
    Vice ChairChild Neurology, Neurology Examination Committee, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeonsof Canada
  15. 2008
    Grant ReviewerFoundation, Alberta Children's Hospital
  16. 2007
    ChairPediatric Epilepsy Platform Session, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  17. 2007 - present
    CCC member - Child and Adolescent NeurologyMayo Clinic
  18. 2007
    ChairPediatric Neurology Platform Session, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  19. 2007 - present
    MemberFaculty of One Thousand, International League Against Epilepsy
  20. 2007
    Task Force MemberProfessional Medical Skills Education for Undergraduate Medical Students, University of Calgary
  21. 2007
    Grant ReviewerFoundation, Alberta Children's Hospital
  22. 2006
    Grant ReviewerHospital for Sick Children Foundation
  23. 2006
    ChairEpileptic Encephalopathies Meeting, Montreal, International Child Neurology Association
  24. 2006
    ChairChild Health Research Day, Alberta Children's Hospital
  25. 2006 - 2007
    MemberAFP Negotiation Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  26. 2006 - 2007
    MemberAFP Accountability Subcommittee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  27. 2006
    ReviewerChild Health Research Protocols, Alberta Children's Hospital
  28. 2005 - 2007
    MemberProfessionalism Committee, University of Calgary
  29. 2004
    MemberNeurological Determination of Death Evaluation Committee, Canadian Association of Child Neurology
  30. 2004
    ChairPediatric Neurology Platform Session, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  31. 2004
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  32. 2003
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  33. 2003 - 2014
    Member of Examination committeeRoyal college of physicians and surgeons of Canada
  34. 2003 - present
    MemberNeurology Examination Committee, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  35. 2003 - 2004
    MemberPediatric Executive Committee, University of Calgary
  36. 2003 - 2004
    MemberNeurosciences Academic Executive Committee, University of Calgary
  37. 2003 - 2007
    MemberScientific Committee, Canadian Association of Child Neurology
  38. 2003 - 2004
    ChairPediatric Epilepsy Section, Intractable Epilepsy Working Group, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  39. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  40. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  41. 2002 - 2006
    MemberEducation Committee, Canadian League Against Epilepsy
  42. 2002
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  43. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  44. 2001 - 2007
    MemberAdult Neurology Residency Training Program, University of Calgary
  45. 2001 - 2007
    MemberPediatric Neurology Residency Training Committee, University of Calgary
  46. 2001 - 2007
    DirectorRefractory Epilepsy Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital
  47. 2001 - 2006
    Secretary/TreasurerCanadian League Against Epilepsy
  48. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  49. 2001
    MemberSearch Committee, Medical Genetics, University of Calgary
  50. 2001
    MemberResident Interview Panel, General Pediatrics, University of Calgary
  51. 2001
    MemberResident Interview Panel, Pediatric Neurology, University of Calgary
  52. 2001
    ReviewerChild Health Research Protocols, Alberta Children's Hospital
  53. 2000
    MemberSearch Committee, Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Calgary
  54. 2000 - 2007
    Physician LeaderRefractory Epilepsy Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital
  55. 2000 - present
    MemberCanadian Pediatric Epilepsy Consortium
  56. 1997 - 2000
    MemberBSc. Medicine Committee, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
  57. 1997 - 2000
    MemberResearch Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan
  58. 1996 - 2000
    MemberResidency Advisory Committee, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan
  59.  
    MemberMinnesota Board of Medical Practice
  60.  
    MemberAmerican Epilepsy Society
  61.  
    MemberCanadian Medical Association

Publications

See my publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.