CHICAGO — The American Epilepsy Society (AES) is pleased to announce Barbara Dworetzky, MD, FAAN, FANA, FAES, as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the Society, dedication to mentorship, and leadership in advancing epilepsy care.
Dr. Dworetzky is the A.J. Trustey Endowed Chair and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and former chief of the Epilepsy Division at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where she led the Bromfield Epilepsy Center for 16 years.
She graduate with an ScB with Honors in Psychology from Brown University, obtained her MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completing a medical internship at Montefiore in the Bronx before moving to Boston for her neurology residency at Harvard’s Program. She became the first epilepsy fellow under the late Dr. Edward Bromfield completing two-years and succeeding him as chief after his passing.
An internationally recognized expert in functional and dissociative seizures, Dr. Dworetzky has dedicated her career to improving diagnosis, treatment, and interdisciplinary care for people experiencing these conditions. Her scholarly contributions include more than 148 peer-reviewed publications, numerous book chapters, and co-editorship of a clinical resource focused on integrating care for functional seizures.
Education and mentorship have been central to her professional contributions. Dr. Dworetzky has helped train more than 65 clinical and research fellows from around the world and has supported numerous clinicians and investigators in their professional development and in their pursuit of funding.
Her service to AES includes a term on the board of directors and leadership of the Practice Management Committee and Council of Clinical Activities, as well as longstanding participation in the Society's mentorship program. She is also the immediate past president of the Functional Neurological Disorder Society.
Throughout her career, Dr. Dworetzky has received numerous honors for leadership, professionalism, mentorship, teaching, and service. She has been naped a Top Doctor in Boston Magazine since 2007.
The 2026 Distinguished Service Award recognizes her sustained commitment to strengthening the epilepsy professional community, supporting the next generation of specialists, and advancing the field.