For Immediate Release January 26, 2005

For More Information Contact: S.K. Kenney, 317-278-0257

Austin Becomes First Nurse Named to AES Presidency

INDIANAPOLIS - Joan K. Austin was sworn in recently as president of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) for 2005, becoming the first nurse to assume the AES presidency in the society's 62-year history. She is a distinguished professor and director of the Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness (CEQL) at Indiana University School of Nursing. She also holds adjunct appointments at the IU School of Medicine and Purdue University's School of Science.

Austin 's presidency of AES, whose membership is 80 percent physician-based, marks the society's move to create a professional home for all health care professionals who are involved in epilepsy research and clinical care. "Dr. Austin's election as president is an indication that the AES is truly a multidisciplinary organization of diverse professionals dedicated to curing epilepsy and improving the lives of those afflicted by this disorder," said Thomas P. Sutula, chairman, AES nominating committee. "The multidisciplinary aspects of the AES are not only reflected in its membership demographics, but also at the board level, and now at the highest level of its leadership."

Austin's major goal for the society during her year-long presidency will be to evaluate how AES can better meet the training needs of health care professionals who are members of interdisciplinary teams that provide comprehensive care to persons with epilepsy. She also plans to put together a strategy for addressing the 2003 national conference "Living with Epilepsy II" recommendations to develop a comprehensive public health strategy for person living with epilepsy.

Austin, a member of the Institute of Medicine, is recognized internationally as one of only a few scientists in the area of child and family adaptation to pediatric epilepsy. Her groundbreaking research investigating family adaptation to a diagnosis of epilepsy in a child is unique. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke since 1986. Austin 's current research focuses on behavioral problems in children with first recognized seizures. She also is principal investigator for a study, funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, investigating mental health and academic achievement outcomes in adolescents with chronic epilepsy.

Austin has received numerous awards for her work. In 1993, she received the AES/Milken Family Medical Foundation Clinical Research Award. In 2004, she was presented with the Distinguished Contribution to Nursing Science Award from the American Nurses Foundation. ###