Career Center AES Connect

J. Kiffin Penry

AES President 1975
NIH Service 1966-1979

J. Kiffin Penry

 After completing neurology training at Bowman Gray and the Boston City Hospital, Dr. Penry served as the Chief of the Neurology Services at the Maxwell Air Force Base (Alabama), at the Tachikawa Air Force Base (Japan), and at Andrews Air Force Base (Maryland).  In 1966, he was appointed Head of the Section on Epilepsy and Chief of Special Projects at the National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Blindness.  He returned to North Carolina in 1979 as Professor of Neurology, head of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, and Associate Dean for Research Development of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University.  

 

 

Significant advances were made under Dr. Penry’s leadership.  He was responsible for the founding of the Antiepileptic Drug Development Program and played a major role in the development of antiepileptic blood level monitoring, video EEG monitoring, electrical stimulation therapy, and the concept of comprehensive epilepsy centers.   One of Penry’s other legacies is the Epilepsy Minifellowship Program which held its first program in 1986.  The Minifellowship Program has been instrumental in providing physicians at all stages of their career with up-to-date information about epilepsy and its treatment.  

Penry received numerous awards for his contributions to the care of people with epilepsy including the William G. Lennox Award and the Epilepsy Foundation of America’s 25 Year Anniversary Award.  He was an active member of not only the American Epilepsy Society but also the Epilepsy Foundation of America, serving on that organization’s Professional Advisory Board and National Board of Directors.  He was President of the International League Against Epilepsy from 1977 to 1981.