Description:
Roxanne Cogil is the Director of Iowa Epilepsy Services for the Epilepsy Foundation since May 2012. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Iowa State University in 1995 and completed training and testing to become a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) in March 2015. Responsibilities include overseeing statewide programs, services and advocacy, as well as providing direct service in central and western Iowa to individuals, families and professionals impacted by epilepsy. Roxanne also serves as Central Regional Director overseeing 13 states for The Hemispherectomy Foundation, on the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Iowa, an appointed member on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Brain Injuries, an appointed member on the Iowa Olmstead Consumer Taskforce and on the Governing Board and Advisory Board for the Heart of Iowa MHDS Region. Roxanne’s inspiration and passion for helping others with epilepsy stems from the journey with her daughter’s intractable epilepsy, which led to a right hemispherectomy brain surgery in 2009 in order to attain seizure freedom. Roxanne was presented the Jo Ann Kramer Founders Award in March 2015 at the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa’s Annual Conference as Advocate of the Year.

Objectives:
1. To share tips on how to advocate at IEP meetings for child’s needs at school.
2. To share strategies on how to advocate for needs with medical & other healthcare professionals.
3. To share ideas on how to share story of child’s journey to advocate for needs with local legislators.