The Penn Epilepsy Center - Hope for Patients with Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic, debilitating neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Approximately 0.5 to 1 percent of the population has epilepsy. For people with epilepsy, seizures can occur at any time and often without warning. The frequency of seizures varies from once a year to multiple seizures a day depending on the person. Epileptic seizures can have far-reaching implications on a person’s quality of life.

The Penn Epilepsy Center provides the highest standard of care to patients with epilepsy and related problems. The center offers a full continuum of care including state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, cutting-edge research, medical treatments, surgery, and support services to patients with epilepsy. The Penn Epilepsy Center offers both outpatient evaluation and inpatient care.

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Keep Your Resolution to Live a Healthier Life

If you vowed to lead a healthier lifestyle in 2010, it is not to too late to keep your resolution. The Penn Center for Executive Health offers customized health evaluations to individuals and employees of corporate clients. Penn Executive Health’s comprehensive health assessment examines overall well-being and addresses short-term and long-term health needs. Patients receive a complete summary of their results and a personalized prescription for health on the same day as the assessment. The Penn Center for Executive Health also offers a specialized women’s assessment as well as a half-day assessment option.

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Services and Programs

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Although colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., nearly 90 percent of colon cancers are thought to be preventable. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Penn Medicine encourages you to learn more about colon cancer risk and the importance of early detection. Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital is offering free colon cancer screenings and information about reducing risk from March 15 through 18.

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About Joan Karnell Cancer Center
Top 5 Cancers

Penn Heart and Vascular Celebrates Heart Month

To combat heart disease and educate the public on how to decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke, Congress and the American Heart Association have proclaimed February to be American Heart Month. All month, Penn Medicine partners with the American Heart Association to promote awareness of heart disease and raise research funds to develop innovative prevention methods and treatment options.

This month, choose to be heart healthy with help from Penn Heart and Vascular. By making heart healthy choices, you establish healthy habits that can reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke over time. The cardiologists in Penn's Preventive Cardiology program are available to assess your risk for heart disease and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to fit your lifestyle and improve your cardiovascular health.

Join Get Heart Smart

Participate in Wear Red Day

Find a Cardiologist

Help Patients. Give Blood!

The Penn Medicine Blood Donation Center recently opened at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Located on the Penn Tower bridge level, the center ensures a continuous, uninterrupted supply of blood for Penn Medicine patients. One out of every 10 hospital patients needs a blood transfusion, and they depend on the generosity of Penn Medicine patients, visitors and staff. To donate blood, call 800-789-PENN (7366). Walk-in appointments are welcome and will be accommodated as quickly as possible.

Donate Blood

Lose the Weight and Gain Yourself

If you have lost weight only to regain it over and over again, or are thinking about weight loss surgery, it’s time to get your questions answered. Join Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program surgeons and staff at a free information session in your community. All programs are held from 7-8:30 pm at the following locations.

Penn Medicine at Radnor

• February 16
• March 30
• April 20

Penn Medicine at Cherry Hill

• February 24
• March 24
• April 28

Penn Medicine at Bucks County

• February 3
• March 3
• April 7

Program surgeons and staff answer patients’ questions about weight loss surgery and discuss the latest treatment options. Information sessions are free, but registration is required. To register, please call 800-789-PENN (7366).
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January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable vision loss in the United States, affecting an estimated 4 million people. Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, resulting in reduced ability to see. Vision loss usually starts in the periphery, or off to the side, so a person may not notice problems with their vision until much damage has already occurred. Intraocular pressure, or IOP, is known to be a major factor in damage to the optic nerve, although other undetermined factors appear to be involved as well. If untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.

Glaucoma affects people of all ages, however African Americans, people over 60, and those with a family history of glaucoma are more susceptible. Once glaucoma has affected your vision there is no way to restore it, but medicine or surgical treatments are available to prevent further damage. The key to treating glaucoma is early detection, so it is critically important to see a Penn ophthalmologist for your annual screening.

Learn more about Penn Eye Care
Glaucoma Services