IMG_3837Meet Jessica

NATIONAL SPEAKER, CONSULTANT AND
FOUNDER OF LIVING WELL WITH EPILEPSY

Bridging the gap between the scientific and patient communities


Founder/Owner of Living Well With Epilepsy

In 2009, after decades of living with epilepsy, I discovered I had learned how to navigate the US health system, found my voice as an advocate  and discovered a way to successfully live with a chronic illness. So with limited resources, I created a very simple blog to share what I learned.

At the time, I was working at The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania in fundraising, my daughter was too young to be in school, and my husband traveled for work. So, there was no time to write a book. But I did have time to write a blog post here and there. I even found time to teach myself to code.

My Epilepsy

I was diagnosed as a teen after having several grand mal seizures. As I’m sure many of you can relate, it took years to find a combo of medications that controlled my seizures with minimal side effects. Thanks to an outstanding team at Massachusetts General Hospital, and later at Cornell Weil Medicine, I was able to go to college at Fordham University, live on campus, and even complete my degree on time. Following graduation I went on to live and work in NYC for many years.

Today

As a member of the epilepsy community, I work hard to make Living Well With Epilepsy a trusted resource to and reflective of the millions living with epilepsy. The site is also meant to be a useful tool for loved ones and caregivers. I have been honored to learn from chairs of Neurology from leading academic institutions around the country, participated in an NIH Institute Without Walls, and continue to keep the phone lines, emails and social media channels as open as possible. This is an important piece of the work I do because frankly, I learn the most and get the best inspiration when I connect with families and patients who are living with the day to day reality of epilepsy.

As Founder of Living Well With Epilepsy, I am responsible for design, strategy, content, business development and enhanced functionality on the site. I work directly with our writers, makes all final editorial decisions. I also work directly with our valued partners to ensure the site continues to be a resource for industry, advocacy, and most importantly the patient community.  And of course, I am always on the lookout for trends in health, online marketing, and epilepsy.

Bridging Gap Between the Scientific and Patient Communities

In addition to Living Well With Epilepsy, Jessica Keenan Smith is also the Executive Director of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT). ASENT is an independent non-profit organization established in 1997 by leaders in academia, government, advocacy and industry to facilitate the process by which new therapies are made available to patients with neurological disorders. Its primary goal is to encourage and advance the development of improved therapies for diseases and disorders of the nervous system.

ASENT engages in scientific exchanges to encourage contacts between those involved in the discovery and development of neurotherapeutics and to provide opportunities for dialogue between the interested groups.  The society organizes education and training and publishes a journal for healthcare practitioners, scientists and officials participating in the neurotherapeutics field, which serves as a forum for its members and interested groups addressing diverse issues.

Trust Quotient

That trust quotient and authentic voice are why healthcare marketing, hospital systems, and even startups rely on us to get the word out through the Living Well With Epilepsy brand platform. Jessica brings more than 20 years experience in marketing and digital media to Living Well With Epilepsy. Download our media kit to view the many ways we are reaching out to the epilepsy community.

Download a Media Kit

Speaking Engagements

Upcoming

Event: THE INTERNATIONAL EPILEPSY ASSESSMENT & MANAGEMENT COURSE

Location: Online

Date: February 25, 2023

 

Event: ASENT 2023 Annual Meeting

Location: Online

Date: March 13-15, 2023

 

Event: AAN ASENT Reception

Location:

Date: April 25, 2023

 

In this role, Jessica also speaks regularly to the media and health organizations such as Forbes, WHYY, Healtheo360, AbilityExpo, Epilepsy Foundation, Wharton School and industry partners such as Neurelis, SK Life Science, Eisai, Sunovion, and Lundbeck. Below are a few of the more commonly requested topics:

Patient engagement has long been a hot topic in healthcare but many companies still struggle with how to fully overcome barriers in this space. Because healthcare is often designed around silos it is difficult to think in terms of “cross-pollinating” ideas and solutions between those silos. In this talk Jessica will share examples of where barriers can rise up and suggestions that may help to eliminate those barriers.

Storytelling has the power to persuade, engage and activate. This technique if used properly can appeal to our core emotions and inspire fierce support. In this talk Jessica will share how she has connected with the epilepsy community to gather hundreds of personal stories from around the world and how those stories are having an impact.

Brands, nonprofits, even engaged patients are looking for guidance on how to effectively navigate their space more in a more authentic fashion that is still true to their “brand”. Often this feels like an impossible ask, but the truth is the closer we are to our authentic voice the easier it is to stay on message.

Hire Jessica to Present

Historical Accomplishments

2022 Led ASENT Annual Meeting as Executive Director

2022 Participated in Epilepsy Awareness Day at DisneyLand in Anaheim, CA

2022 Attended AES Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN

2018 Attended AES Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA

2018 Received Web Health Award

2018 Nominated for Her Abilities Award

2018 Recognized in Forbes as a leader in personal blogging

2018 Attended ASENT Annual Meeting in Rockville, MD

2018 Attended BlogHer in NYC, NY

2017 Named Executive Director of American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics

2017 Presented at University of Pennsylvania Epilepsy Support Group

2017 Presented at Sunovion All Company Meeting in Boston, MA

2017 Judged Web Health Awards

2017 Presented at National Epilepsy Walk in Washington, DC

2017 Attended ASENT Annual Meeting in Rockville, MD

2017 Joined the CDC AES Public Health Interest Workgroup

2016 Led Epilepsy Blog Event with Greg Grunberg at American Epilepsy Society

2016 Presented to Variety Charities National Meeting in Las Vegas, NV

2016 Ran three successful Epilepsy Blog Relays

2015 Guest on H360LIVE

2015 Guest on WHYY’s Voices in the Family

2015 Brought on three new writers

2015 Launched the first Epilepsy Blog Relay

2015 Judged the International Web Health Awards

2015 Presented at BIO International Convention

2015 Judged the eHealthcare Leadership Awards

2015 Attended the Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting

2014 Presented at Mid-Atlantic Society for Association Executives

2014 Presented at NYMetro AbilitiesExpo

2014 Brought on first writer for Living Well With Epilepsy

2014 Named About.com Epilepsy Expert

2013 Presented at Boston AbilitiesExpo

2013 Became American Neurological Association’s Director of Education and Member Services

2013 Presented at Living Well With a Disability in Lancaster, PA

2013 International Web Health Awards Judge

2013 Web Marketing Association Judge

2012 Re-Launch Party featuring Grammy-nominated artist Jann Klose

2012 Named a Wharton Management 100 Client Partner

2011 Shorty Award Nominee

2011 International Web Health Awards Judge

2010 Named Interim Director, Stewardship Wharton School

2010 Participated in University of Pennsylvania Stewardship Guidelines Committee

2009 Participated in University of Pennsylvania Campaign Recognition Committee

2009 Established Living Well With Epilepsy