MEET OUR DC FAMILY FORUM SPEAKERS – AMY KAO
In this series, we will introduce you to the experts inside and outside of the HH community who will be presenting at the DC Family Forum on December 3rd.
Please meet Dr. Amy Kao an Epileptologist and the Director of Dietary Therapies Program of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC.
Dr. Kao will be leading a roundtable discussion on HH& Alternative therapies including the ketogenic diet and Cannabidiol (CBD). While many patients are good surgical candidates and have good outcomes from surgical interventions, some patients are not eligible or can’t access surgery. Other patients may not have the outcomes hoped for by surgery. Moreover, some patients wish to exhaust non-surgical options before exploring surgery altogether. In these and other circumstances, patients turn to alternative therapies for a cure or to help them manage HH and the side effects. This discussion will explore diet and CBD as two alternatives/supplements.
Specialty Training & Background
Dr. Kao received her medical degree from Northwestern University, completed general pediatrics and neurology training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, and completed pediatric epilepsy fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Following, she practiced at Oregon Health and Science University.
Where She is Today
In 2010, Dr. Kao joined the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s National Health System in 2010, returning to the DC area to be closer to family, including a brother with special needs.
Contributions to the Field
Dr. Kao has made significant contributions to the field of epilepsy including sponsoring an expanded access Investigational New Drug application to the FDA for stiripentol and acting as Principal Investigator for an associated protocol for Dravet syndrome patients at CNHS and for a quality improvement study to develop a wellness program for Child Neurology trainees. She has served as the clinical chair of the Dietary Therapies Special Interest Group at the Annual American Epilepsy Society meeting in 2016 and 2017.
Other Leadership
Dr. Kao is on the Professional Advisory Board of Brainy Camps and serves as physician for Camp Super Smile for individuals with Trisomy 21.
Outside of work Passions
As a member of the “sandwich generation,” family is her most significant extracurricular. She also enjoys coaching for Girls On The Run.
What questions do you have for Dr. Kao? What alternative therapies has your family tried? What information have you gathered about ketogenic diet, CBD and other alternative therapies?
Register and reserve your rooms for the DC Family Forum TODAY.
DC Hotels fill FAST in December – don’t delay!
To register for the Forum, click here.
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For more information, click here.
