 | Karen Parko, MD, worked for 24 years as a Commissioned Corps officer with the United States Public Health Service. She established the first neurology clinic on the Navajo reservation, and served as the first chief clinical consultant in neurology for the Indian Health Service. Dr. Parko developed an innovative seizure clinic model utilizing clinical pharmacists that greatly expanded access to neurology care in remote areas. |
Dr. Parko was Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She also served as inaugural national director of the VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence. She is a national leader in epilepsy and her career has focused on improving epilepsy care in remote and disadvantaged populations by building sustainable local systems of care.
Dr. Parko is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Neurology and of the American Epilepsy Society. She is a member of the International League Against Epilepsy Global Advocacy Council and served as chair of the International League Against Epilepsy North America Global Health Task Force.
Dr. Parko has received awards for her work in epilepsy, including being named Public Health Service Clinical Physician of the Year in 2001, the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California’s Commitment to Progress Award in 2011, the American Epilepsy Society Service Award in 2014, the UCSF Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017, and the AAN Mridha Spirit of Neurology Humanitarian Award in 2020.