Blume-Girvin Lecture in Epilepsy

Dr. Warren Blume and Dr. John Girvin

Each fall, the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, hosts The Blume-Girvin Lecture in Epilepsy, in recognition of the innovative efforts of its Epilepsy Program’s founders, Dr. Warren T. Blume, neurologist and epileptologist, and Dr. John P. Girvin, neurosurgeon and neurophysiologist. The inaugural Blume-Girvin Lecture took place in October of 2016.

In the 1970s, Drs. Blume and Girvin recognized that the complexities of treating epilepsy required effective collaboration between the divisions of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The term “medically-intractable epilepsy” had not yet been coined, but Drs. Blume and Girvin recognized its existence and the need for a team approach to treatment. They led a team of individuals to establish one of the first Epilepsy programs in Canada—and the first in Ontario—in 1977. The Program has since trained dozens of neurologists and neurosurgeons in the field of epilepsy and is renowned world-wide for its highly-qualified team of professionals. Comprised of neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurses, psychologists, EEG technologists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, and neurophysiologists, this dedicated team strives for excellence in the management of epilepsy.

Dr. Warren Blume has been recognized as an outstanding EEG and Epilepsy researcher by the American Epilepsy Society, the Canadian League Against Epilepsy, and the International League Against Epilepsy. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2012.

Dr John Girvin’s contributions to the field of epilepsy surgery have been recognized by Western University, the Canadian Neurosurgical Society, and The Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.

The Blume-Girvin Lecturer is an individual of international reputation who is recognized for their contribution to Epilepsy Care, particularly Epilepsy Surgery, and whose work is reflective of the principles and values articulated by Drs. Blume and Girvin: following evidence-based practice, putting patient care first, and showing patients the best care physicians can provide.

The Blume-Girvin Lecture Series seeks to share new insights and innovation in the fields of epilepsy surgery and treatment, continuing the work initiated by these two remarkable neuroscientists, clinicians, researchers, and educators.


2023 Blume-Girvin Lecturer

Dr. Jorge A. González-Martínez

Gonzalez-Martinez-220 x 265The Epilepsy Program at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University is pleased to announce that Dr. Jorge A. González-Martínez will present the 2023 Blume-Girvin Lecture in Epilepsy.

Jorge González-Martínez, MD, PhD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon subspecialized in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery. He is the director of the epilepsy/movement disorders surgery division and the current Stuart Niles Rowe Chair in Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh’s Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Psychiatry Surgical Program, under the direction of Dr. González-Martínez encompasses the treatment of medically intractable epilepsy, movement disorders and psychiatry disorders. These pathological neurological conditions are similar in that successful neurosurgical treatment requires an expert understanding of the involved brain networks and their potential for modulation by functional neurosurgical procedures, as well as multidisciplinary teams that deliver surgical care to these special groups of patients. Dr. González-Martínez has expertise in both adult and pediatric patients. Pediatric patients are treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country, as noted in U.S. News and World Report.

Dr. González-Martínez has the country’s largest experience in SEEG procedures, SEEG guided resections and neuromodulation surgeries, with more than 3,000 successful surgical procedures performed. To promote an optimal safety profile and seizure outcome, many procedures are performed under robotic guidance. In addition to developing and implementing the SEEG method in North America, Dr. González-Martínez is also a pioneer in robotic surgery, having performed more than 1,000 procedures using this technique. The University of Pittsburgh has the largest experience in robotic neurosurgery in the country and was one of the first institutions in adopting the novel technology.

In addition to clinical activities, The Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Psychiatry Surgical Program is considered one the premier programs in the country regarding translational and basic science research, working in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neuroscience, Carnegie Mellon University Department of Biomedical Engineering, John Hopkins University and Aix Marseille University in France. The program’s research activities are led by Dr. González-Martínez and his research team and conducted through the University of Pittsburgh Cortical Systems Laboratory. Combined, the clinical and basic science efforts have been guiding his academic and clinical pathway for safer and more efficient methods for treating patients with severe seizures and abnormal movement disorders, promoting the improvement of symptoms, in combination with better functional and quality of life outcomes.

Dr González-Martínez has published more than 230 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to epilepsy surgery and methods of brain mapping for patients with medically intractable epilepsy and movement disorders. He has been serving on the executive committee of both the American Society of Stereotactic and the Functional Neurosurgery and the American Epilepsy Society for the last six years, developing high relevant projects and topics related to the field of functional neurosurgery and epilepsy.

Lecture Title: The Stereotaxic Concept in Epilepsy Surgery
Date: Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Auditorium A, University Hospital, and via Zoom.
Learning Objectives:

  1. To discuss the concepts related to Stereotaxis applied to Epilepsy Surgery
  2. To exemplify the stereotaxic method and concept through case presentations.

Download the event flyer here.

Zoom Details:

Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 965 2161 5820
Passcode: CNS
One tap mobile
+16475580588,,96521615820#,,,,*570772# Canada


Past Lectures:

2022 - Dr. Jaideep Kapur

Eugene Meyer III Professor of Neuroscience & Neurology & Brain Institute Director at the University of Virginia
"Status Epilepticus Treatment"


2021 - Dr. Christoph Helmstaedter

Associate Professor, Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn, Germany
"Epilepsy Surgery:  What can we expect in regard to cognition?"


2020 - Dr. James T. Rutka

RS McLaughlin Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
"The Evolution of Epilepsy Surgery Techniques: The Hospital for Sick Children Experience"


2019 - Dr. Solomon L. Moshe

Charles Frost Chair in Neurosurgery and Neurology, Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center
"Kindling and Rekindling the “Truths” in Epilepsy"

2018 - Dr. Dennis Spencer 

Professor and Chair, Neurosurgery 
Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine
"The Role of Surgery and Technology in Focal Epilepsy & its Comorbidities"


2017 - Dr. Samuel Wiebe

Professor, Neurology
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
President, International League Against Epilepsy
"Precision Medicine in Epilepsy"
view poster
Watch here.

2016 - Dr. Phillipe Kahane

Professor, Neurology
Centre Hospitalier Universitarie Grenoble Aples
University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
“Stereo-electroencephalography:Origins and current state of art”

Dr. Warren Blume, Professor Emeritus, Dr. John Girvin, Professor Emeritus, Dr. Dennis Spencer, Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Yale University School of Medicine, and Dr. Jorge Burneo and Dr. David Steven, Co-Directors of the Epilepsy Program, at the 2018 Blume-Girvin Lecture in Epilepsy "The Role of Surgery and Technology in Focal Epilepsy & its Comorbidities".

 

BlumeGirvin2017.jpg

Dr. David Steven, Co-Director of the Epilepsy Program, Dr. Warren Blume, Professor Emeritus, Dr. Samuel WiebeAssociate Dean for Clinical Research at the University of Calgary and Dr. Jorge Burneo, Co-Director of the Epilepsy Program, at the 2017 Blume-Girvin Lecture in Epilepsy "Precision Medicine in Epilepsy."