/PRNewswire/ - The Epilepsy Foundation of America proudly recognizes Joyce A. Cramer as this year's Lifetime Accelerator Award recipient. This distinction goes to a professional whose long career has delivered major advances in epilepsy treatment creation. The award aims to spotlight and encourage progress toward improved therapies for the condition. Prior recipients formed the committee responsible for selecting this honoree.

"I feel honored to be viewed as an accelerator," Joyce Cramer stated. "My professional path has always emphasized that better epilepsy options depend on strong results, good tolerance, and real value for those affected. Observing new medications and devices succeed has been deeply rewarding. I am grateful for my part in efforts that support ongoing progress. This acknowledgment belongs also to the many partners, scientists, and supporters committed to enhancing care and daily living for people with epilepsy."

Cramer now works as an advisor after a notable tenure at Yale University School of Medicine within the Psychiatry and Neurology departments. She started in laboratory research, completing ten years of basic studies before leading clinical investigations for many years. She played a key part in early VA collaborative projects that determined the best approaches for epilepsy patients during the 1980s. She later created important techniques for assessing medication benefits and side effects, organizing studies, and boosting adherence to treatment plans.

As a trailblazer who showed that missing doses of seizure medications occurs often and matters clinically, Cramer also pushed early for including patient feedback in trial designs. She helped build the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory and created the Seizure Severity Questionnaire used in studies, offering developers clearer tools to judge seizure features and therapy effects in everyday settings. Her contributions extended these measurement approaches to other health conditions. Cramer oversaw multi-site trials in epilepsy and mental health fields and directed a Translational Neuroscience Center to link discoveries with patient needs.

Following her time at Yale, Cramer led the Epilepsy Therapy Project as President and Chief Scientific Officer. This group assists innovators and funders in delivering fresh epilepsy solutions. She advised start-ups along with drug and device firms on new treatment ideas. She also collaborated with investors to spot strong opportunities and aided emerging companies seeking to advance options in the field.

During her guidance, the project acted as a driver by offering support funds and serving as a connector among researchers, founders, backers, and licensing teams. These steps sped the shift from concepts to practical therapies for those living with epilepsy.

Cramer's written works stand out as well. She has produced five books, over 230 reviewed articles, and many chapters covering neurology, psychiatry, study methods, adherence issues, quality-of-life measures, patient views, and economic aspects of treatments.

Her recognitions feature the ILAE Epilepsy Ambassador Award, AES Service Award, AES Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care, ISPOR Distinguished Service Award, and the International Research Promotion Council Award in health outcomes.

"Joyce Cramer's path has reshaped how epilepsy treatments are created and reviewed," noted Bernice "Bee" Martin Lee, Chief Executive Officer of the Epilepsy Foundation of America. "Her innovative emphasis on patient input and steady drive to raise daily well-being for those with epilepsy have changed research and practice alike. We celebrate her remarkable achievements and enduring influence on the epilepsy community."

View the presentation of the Lifetime Accelerator Award by joining the livestream of the Foundation's Epilepsy Pipeline Conference.

About EpilepsyEpilepsy ranks as the leading long-term brain condition globally, touching individuals across ages, ethnicities, and origins. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that close to 3.4 million Americans experience active epilepsy. It involves repeated seizures, which are sudden surges of brain electrical signals that alter movement, awareness, or control. People may also face tiredness, recall problems, emotional shifts, worry, or focus issues that affect routines. Visit epilepsy.com for further details.

About the Epilepsy Foundation of AmericaThe Epilepsy Foundation of America operates as a national nonprofit focused on bettering lives touched by epilepsy via education, policy work, studies, and support networks. For over five decades it has promoted awareness, fought stigma, and backed measures that aid those with the condition. It finances innovative research and assists new investigators exploring therapies. Its national network of offices and allies improves care access, offers seizure response training, and provides direct help. Learn more at epilepsy.com or call 1.800.332.1000; in Spanish laepilepsia.org or call 866.748.8008.

SOURCE Epilepsy Foundation