Dr. Michael Duchowny, pediatric neurologist on the medical staff at Nicklaus Children's and Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, is the receipient of the prestigious The Children's Trust David Lawrence Jr. for Children Award. The distinction honors individuals and programs that have reached the highest levels of excellence and achievement, their community partners and the families they have helped. The awards ceremony  took place on Thursday, August 25 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

Dr. Michael Duchowny has been on the forefront of the fight against childhood epilepsy throughout his career, having created and developed the internationally recognized Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, which has served over 25,000 children since its inception in 1982. Dr. Duchowny efforts, vision and devotion to the field of epilepsy has changed the way children are diagnosed, monitored and treated. His vision and tireless efforts on behalf of all children affected with epilepsy in Miami-Dade County has been the driving force for improving child health, quality of life and the future outlook of all affected children.

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects one in two hundred individuals. It may begin at any time over one’s lifespan and is particularly common in childhood where it may present as early as the first few days of life.  Individuals with epileptic seizures often experience associated medical, social, behavioral and neurocognitive problems, but the consequences of epilepsy for young children are particularly severe. The lives of many children with epilepsy are therefore tragically compromised by this sinister brain disorder.

Trained in child neurology and epileptology at Harvard, Dr. Duchowny came to Miami-Dade County in 1980 and has devoted his career to the singular goal of establishing a world-class pediatric epilepsy program. Before Dr. Duchowny’s arrival, Miami-Dade County lacked resources dedicated to the care of children with epilepsy. Dr. Duchowny established the first child-oriented epilepsy program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital (then Variety Children’s Hospital). While the institution’s name changed over the years, the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program has remained steadfastly focused and has continued to grow and flourish, offering high level patient-centered state-of-the-art care to all children in Miami-Dade County. No child or family has ever been turned away.
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