Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as Board Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, and grateful to all of you for the tremendous work we have done on behalf of people with epilepsy and their families in Northern California. Moving forward, we are in good hands under the very capable leadership of Dr. Joseph Sullivan, our new Board Chair. 

Among the many advisors, staff and volunteers who have helped strengthen this organization, I would like to especially thank Ronald O'Connor and Olivia Salfiti. Ever our financial steward, Ron righted our financial ship and has kept the foundation solvent. Olivia has been invaluable in ensuring that we fulfill our mission through programs that benefit the epilepsy community. In addition, I am indebted to my mentors, including retired EFNC CEO and President Katherine Keeney, a skillful leader who made me feel that I was responsible for our success; Heidi Kirsch, who provided thoughtful insight and guidance with dedication and passion for our cause; and Neva Hirschkorn, who helped me build bridges with other epilepsy organizations in California to further strengthen our foundation.

"Edie has played a pivotal role in transforming our organization. She brings executive management, a wonderful personal touch, creativity, but most importantly, a deep passion for our cause.  It has been such a pleasure to work with her!" Dr. Edward Chang University of California, San Francisco "It is a false cliché about neurosurgeons that they are loners who do not work well with others. Dr. Edie Zusman exemplifies the opposite of this cliché. She is friendly, warm, enthusiastic, and she has inspired each of us on the PAB to do our best and a little bit more for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California. She will be missed as our leader." Dr. Robert Fisher Stanford Medical Center

We would not be where we are today without the hard work of Beth Ruggles and Kerry Youker, our new board members, whose great ideas and event planning skills brought in the revenue that allowed us to  fulfill our mission and reenergize our community. And thank you to the terrific staff, including Katie Kaffka and Tracie Ramsey, without whom the foundation would be lost.

As I move into my role as EFNC Immediate Past Chair, I am also moving into a new professional role as Chief of Neurosurgery for the NorthBay Medical Center and Medical Director at the NorthBay Center for Neuroscience. I am excited to expand our foundation's services to Solano County and I look forward to hosting members of our community at our Living with Epilepsy Conference on July 23, 2016 at the NorthBay Green Valley Conference Center. 

I want to especially welcome new Board Chair, Dr. Joseph Sullivan, a renowned and beloved pediatric epilepsy expert from UCSF's Benioff Children's Hospital, and our new Executive Director, Jody Iorns, whose strength, insight and commitment to the organization will carry us boldly into the future. 

With pride and gratitude,

Edie E. Zusman, MD, MBA