Joyce welcomes Elizabeth Karan, Principal, Artemis Policy Group, Fred Lado, Professor of Neurology & Director, Epilepsy Division, Northwell Health Eastern & Central Regions, and Amanda Mitchell, Executive Director, Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana to the show. These guests are the core organizers of The National Plan for Epilepsy Committee, NPEC, designed to advocate for the creation of a National Plan for Epilepsy. More than 120 epilepsy-related organizations joined together to celebrate these efforts and urge members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass the bill. National plans exist for other neurological conditions and NPEC is lobbying to create a similar National Plan for Epilepsy.

Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights

• Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities.
• Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution.
• Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
• Recipient of the 2024 Visionary Award from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, DC.