Epilepsy Services of SW Florida

09/01/2026

A great day in our office is “closing a file” when a client is diagnosed and treated and has not had a seizure in years and no longer needs us!

08/27/2026

Florida Department of health was established in 1990 and here is the main website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/

Some statistics: Annual budget is 4.1 billion dollars, there are over 17,000 employees in the 67 counties of Florida and there are currently 3,690 Vendor Contracts.

Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida, Inc. is one of those vendor contracts and we cover from Manatee County to Collier County. Our administrative office is located in the Glasser/Shoenbaum Campus of Caring in Sarasota.
Www.epilepsy-services.org

The state of Florida provides funding that covers our administrative fees for staffing and office operations and some client services. We rely on grant funding and direct donations to meet the needs of our clients.

Some Information about the Florida Department of Health and Funding for people who have seizures and Epilepsy.

The Florida Department of Health Epilepsy Services Program provides free or low-cost support, medical referrals, and education for Florida residents diagnosed with or suspected of having epilepsy.

Key Services Offered

Patient Assistance & Referrals:

Connections to neurological medical treatment and local care networks.

Medication Assistance: The Epilepsy Medication Assistance Program (EMAP) helps uninsured or underinsured residents pay for necessary seizure medications.

Education & Prevention: Community awareness, prevention education, and seizure first aid training.

Support Services: Case management and referrals for other local assistance programs that may be needed.

Eligibility for Free/Low-Cost CareResidency:

Must be a resident of Florida.

Income Guidelines: General medical and support services are free for clients with a gross family income at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Medication Program (EMAP): For medication financial aid, applicants must be uninsured, unable to afford their copays/deductibles, have $2,500 or less in liquid assets (excluding a homestead), and not be current Medicaid recipients.

For residents from Manatee County south to Collier County, Epilepsy Services provides Case Management and the services above for adults only. The only exceptions that have been made are those who are currently driving who have had their license revoked for seizures and must be determined on a case by case basis by our participating Neurologists.

Children and Seizures: Parents who are looking for assistance for a child who has Epilepsy or Seizures requires access to Pediatric Neurology and these specialists are not available in all areas. Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida covers Manatee to Collier counties and the closest locations we have for pediatrics services is Tampa, Orlando or Miami. The local department of health office is the best resource for information and office locations.

If you or someone you know is having seizures and in in need of care, please contact our office at: 941.953.5899

We will be happy to assist you in determining if you qualify for our program as well as finding the best resources and treatment plans.

Protecting, promoting, and improving the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

08/26/2026

Epilepsy Services of SW Florida doing a presentation about Epilepsy and Seizures for the Medical Assistant Program at Kaiser University at Sarasota Campus. Our thanks to Nancy Peterhansen, Department Chair.

08/23/2026

Epilepsy Services of SW Florida would like to recognize and congratulate Dr. Brian Wolf, and Dr. Joshua Pakratz from First Physicians Group of Sarasota for their dedication and service to the clients of Epilepsy Services of SW Florida and their recent acknowledgement from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers on their highest -level medical evaluation and treatments. We are grateful for the many neurologists from Manatee County to Collier County who help our clients who either do not have insurance or their coverage does not include the specialty of neurology. Our program is in partnership with the Florida Department of Health and our grantors and donors who provide needed medical diagnostic testing.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world, affecting as many as 50 million people globally. And it is estimated that nearly 70% of people living with epilepsy could live seizure-free, if properly diagnosed and treated.

Treatment is individualized for every patient. Our goal is to help identify patients with epilepsy who do not respond to traditional anti-seizure or antiepileptic medicines, which are the most common treatments. These patients may be candidates for other treatment options that could include:

Resective brain surgery

Neuro-modulation with a device similar to a pacemaker that can help detect and stop seizures

Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Testing ranges from MRI imaging, EEG scans, neuropsychological testing and brain pet scan will enable our team to determine the best course of treatment to help our patients reduce seizure activity.

Epilepsy Care Team

The Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Sarasota Campus has a dedicated Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for those patients experiencing uncontrollable seizures. This specialized unit provides 24/7 video and EEG monitoring, allowing the multidisciplinary team to identify seizures earlier, and form a comprehensive approach to epilepsy care from diagnosis to treatment. Led by Medical Director Brian Wolf, MD, the multidisciplinary team includes a board certified Epileptologist, Joshua Pankratz, MD, an Epilepsy Surgery trained Neurosurgeon, Kenneth Vives, MD, a Neuropsychologist, and case management and nursing staff specifically trained in seizure care. During hospitalization, our patients can expect to receive compassionate care and expertise in treating their epilepsy condition.

National Association of Epilepsy Centers Level 3 Badge

The Sarasota Memorial Epilepsy Monitoring Unit was accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers 2026 - 2028 for displaying professional expertise and facilities to provide the highlest-level medical evaluation and treatments for patients with complex epilepsy.

08/04/2026

FYI from our friends Epilepsy Foundation Florida & Epilepsy Foundation of America

08/03/2026

Chad Riese has lived with epilepsy for some time and has had the implants into his brain which decrease the number of seizures and severity of them.

He and Cody have been friends and neighbors for many years. Having a friend who knows what you live with and is steadfast and supportive is truly a gift.

Chad recently received a new back pack from Epilepsy Services of SW Florida and spends some time sharing his experiences and information about Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida. We are a Department of Health program under the State of Florida, we provide Case Management assistance for those with seizures and who either do not have insurance or may have insurance that does not cover the specialty of Neurology.

Our doctors volunteer to see our clients, our case managers arrange appointments for diagnostic testing and clinics to see the doctors. We have telemedicine options for those who cannot drive and we also assist in getting the needed prescriptions for your care.

Over 95% of our clients that are diagnosed and treated report reduced or no seizures.

We cover Manatee County to Collier County in Naples. Contact our main office at 941.953.5988 for information and assistance. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

08/03/2026

Amazing new technologies and advancements in treatment options.

08/01/2026

A bit of history:

For more information continue to link: https://hekint.org/2022/02/03/robert-bentley-todd/