Madison, WI— Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Mary Zupanc is
acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Healthcare Professional for her
contributions to the field of Pediatric Neurology and Epileptology.
Dr. Zupanc pursued higher
education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974 where she received her
undergraduate degree in Zoology. She then completed a year of research in
genetics in Los Angeles before entering the David Geffen School of Medicine at
UCLA and completing her medical degree in 1979. She completed pediatric
residency training at the University of Washington and Harbor–UCLA Medical
Center and, under the mentorship of Dr. Raymond Chun, finished pediatric
neurology training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has since served
in the epilepsy divisions at the Mayo Clinic; Columbia University; the Medical
College of Wisconsin; and the University of California-Irvine, collaborating
with colleagues to develop pediatric epilepsy programs. Dr. Zupanc has recently
relocated to Madison, Wisconsin. She is currently a clinical professor at the
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, engaging in
patient care, clinical research, and mentorship of medical students, residents,
and fellows.
Dr. Zupanc explained that neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with
disorders of the nervous system. A child neurologist, or pediatric neurologist,
is a doctor who treats children who have problems with their nervous system.
The problems in the nervous system can start in the brain, spine, nerves, or
muscles and can lead to problems such as seizures, headaches, or developmental
delays.
An epileptologist, Dr. Zupanc is a neurologist who specializes in the treatment
of epilepsy and has expertise in epilepsy and seizure disorders; anti-seizure
medications; and special situations involving seizures, such as cases in which
anti-seizure medications have failed. In these cases, a pediatric
epileptologist may offer epilepsy surgery or neuromodulation to improve seizure
control.
Board-certified in clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy, neurology with special
competence in child neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
(ABPN), the doctor explained that the ABPN is a not-for-profit corporation
dedicated to serving the professions of psychiatry and neurology. Dr. Zupanc is
also board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, whose
mission is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet
standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and
improvement.
Through her leadership and vision, Dr.
Zupanc has developed comprehensive epilepsy programs in several academic
institutions across the country, including the University of Wisconsin, Mayo
Clinic, Columbia University, Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of
California— Irvine/CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County. During her tenure
at CHOC, Dr. Zupanc grew the pediatric neurology division from four physician
subspecialists to 16 subspecialists in areas such as epilepsy; sleep
disturbances; movement disorders; concussion; stroke; and autism. This resulted
in the reorganization and consolidation of the neurology division with the
neurosurgery division, becoming the CHOC Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Zupanc
served as the Co-Medical Director of the CHOC Neuroscience Institute until
2020.
Dr. Zupanc asserts that “one of the wonderful things about child neurology is
that you often embark on a decades-long journey with families. You transform a
child’s life and a family’s life. That’s what this profession is all about, and
why it has always been more than a job for me. It’s a calling.”
Dedicated to providing the latest advancements to her patients and students,
Dr. Zupanc is a member of the Epilepsy Foundation of America; the American
Medical Women’s Association; the American Medical Association; the American
Academy of Pediatrics; the American Academy of Neurology; the Child Neurology
Society; the American Epilepsy Society; Physicians for Social Responsibility;
and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. She is also on
the Board of Directors for the Child Neurology Foundation.
Recognized nationally and internationally for her scholarship and contributions
to pediatric neurology, Dr. Zupanc has presented at numerous recognized
lecture series and is a highly sought after speaker. She has published a
plethora of articles in peer-reviewed journals, most notably Neurology and
Pediatric Neurology, regarding pediatric epilepsy surgery and outcomes; the
efficacy of felbamate in the treatment of intractable epilepsy; and infantile
spasms. She has also authored book chapters on pediatric epilepsy surgery and
reproductive health in adolescent girls with epilepsy.
Engaging in advocacy for her patients, Dr. Zupanc supports children and their
families, both at the bedside and working as part of larger
organizations. She is recognized as an excellent clinician. She has moved
the field of epilepsy therapy forward; built two large and successful divisions
of child neurology; and has been a successful educator.
Aside from her professional pursuits, Dr. Zupanc has done medical mission work
in Slovenia, India, Vietnam and Armenia, where she has taught and delivered
medical care in remote areas. She has also been involved in family and
community outreach to the underserved in the United States, including Native
Tribes, Hmong refugees, inner city Black and Latino communities.
Dr. Zupanc considers the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award
(awarded by the Child Neurology Society at their annual meeting in October
2021) to be the highlight of her career. She has earned many more awards for
teaching recognition and clinical care at each of the major institutions she
has served. “You may be the greatest scientist in the world, but if you
don’t have empathy and compassion for patients and families, you can’t advance
the field of medicine. To me, as a clinician bringing science to the bedside –
this is the ultimate award” says Dr. Zupanc.
