Mark Washburn
LEBANON — Dartmouth-Hitchcock neurologist Barbara Jobst, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the 2019 recipient of the J. Kiffin Penry Award from the American Epilepsy Society.
The J. Kiffin Penry Award was established in 1997 in honor of J. Kiffin Penry, M.D., an inventor of one of the first effective epilepsy therapies, phenytoin. The award, which embodies Dr. Penry’s lifelong focus and genuine concern for patients with epilepsy, recognizes individuals whose work has had a major impact on patient care and quality of life for those living with the disorder.
Dr. Jobst accepted the award at the annual American Epilepsy Society Meeting in Baltimore on December 7.
“I feel honored to be part of this elite group of awardees who received the award previously,” said Jobst. “Moreover, I am proud to be recognized for my contributions to the field I have dedicated my career to: Bettering the lives of people with epilepsy.”
Dr. Jobst serves as director of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Epilepsy Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She is the section chief for adult neurology and vice chair of the Neurology department. She is also the Louis and Ruth Frank Endowed Professor of Neurosciences at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
Dr. Jobst, who grew up with a chronic disability and knows firsthand the challenges it presents, says her own experiences helped set the stage for her career and ignited a passion to make a difference in the lives of patients.
“Epilepsy as a chronic disease is cruel in that it can render patients unable to lead a normal, fulfilling life,” said Jobst. “To truly improve the lives of patients, innovations need to be based on rigorous science. At the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Epilepsy Center, our team has been able to transform epilepsy care through a combination of excellent clinical care and translational science. I am honored to accept the J. Kiffin Penry Award for our efforts to integrate translational science into clinical care.”
Originally from Germany, Dr. Jobst attended Dartmouth Medical School (now Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth) for four months in 1992 as a medical exchange student. She returned to the United States in 1996 as a medical resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center after earning her medical degree, and has been with Dartmouth-Hitchcock ever since. Her leadership roles in academics have included chair of the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting and epilepsy chair of the Scientific Program of the American Academy of Neurology.
“Barbara is exemplary of the level of medicine practiced and honored within Dartmouth-Hitchcock,” said Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. “Along with her numerous academic pursuits and achievements, she has continued to treat patients with compassion and exhibit a true desire to alleviate the suffering of people living with epilepsy. We are proud to have her as part of our team and cannot think of anyone more deserving of this prestigious honor.”
Dr. Jobst will receive $3,000 as part of winning the J. Kiffin Penry Award, which will help fund her research.
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