About the MICHAEL FOUNDATION

Chronicle of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION

11.07.1962

Formation of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION

1963

First stipend for a special epileptological advanced training awarded to a specialist in neurology. In total, 60 neurologists and pediatricians/neuropediatricians have been supported.

1963

The MICHAEL PRIZE is awarded for the first time, in order to stimulate epilepsy research in Germany.

The prize goes to Prof. Doose and Prof. Peiffer.

since 1963

Development of a concept for epilepsy outpatient clinics and, where necessary, financial support for the acquisition of the required equipment for such a facility.

Standards for diagnostic, treatment and socio-medical care for people with epilepsy who are treated in epilepsy outpatient clinics. These standards were later inherited and further developed by the German Chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy, also known as the German Society for Epileptology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Epileptologie, DGfE) .

Index of Epilepsy outpatient clinics, updated regularly.

1971

Participation in an official report on the situation of psychiatry in Germany (Bericht über die Lage der Psychiatrie in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland/Psychiatrie-Enquete) .

1973

Publication of the memorandum “epilepsie” by the DFG (the German Research Society) with financial support of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION. For the first time, epilepsy is studied in depth with regard to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare, and clinical and basic research. Recommendations for the further development of the individual areas are also given.

1975

The official report on the situation of psychiatry in Germany (“Psychiatrie-Enquete”) is published with a chapter on epilepsy.

since 1975

The MICHAEL PRIZE is advertised internationally for the first time. Since then, it has been awarded every 2 years at the International Epilepsy Congress as part of the opening ceremony.

1976

Initiation of the “Epilepsie-Kuratorium”, an association that discusses and makes recommendations concerning epilepsy research and care.

since 1983

Publication of the first volume “Rechtsfragen bei Epilepsie” of the epilepsy information series “Schriften über Epilepsie” (now: “Informationen zu Epilepsie”). The volume has continuously been reissued.

1985

The „Epilepsie-Kuratorium“ publishes the “Epilepsie-Bericht 85“, the first status report about epilepsy in Germany, which analyses prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and the care network for people with epilepsy. Additionally, the report prioritizes actions to improve the situation and gives multiple research suggestions.

since 1989

"Practical Seminar on Epilepsy" in Gargnano.

1991

Formation of the Information Center for Epilepsy (“Informationszentrum Epilepsie”), which was later integrated into the German Society for Epileptology under the name of “Informationspool Epilepsie”

since 1992

Support of the epileptologic qualification of social workers via financial aid for the proceedings of the biennial conference “Social work with epilepsy” (“Sozialarbeit bei Epilepsie”) and via support for the association of the same named, founded in 2003.

1994

The Berger-Landefeldt Foundation is brought under the umbrella of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION.

since 1996

Stipends for an additional epileptologic qualification recognized by the German Association for Epileptology.

Since 2006, the qualification is assigned under the name “Epilepsie-Fachassistenz” (basic course) and “Epilepsie-Fachberatung” (advanced course). Both trainings are supported by the MICHAEL FOUNDATION.

1998

The “Epilepsie-Kuratorium” publishes the report “Epilepsie-Bericht 98”. Focus areas are: Recommendations for improving the provision of epilepsy care, information for the general public, trainings for people with epilepsy, further education for professionals and clinical experimental research.

since 2001

In memory of Dr. med. Sibylle Ried (29. Aug. 1956 – 14. Jun. 2000), the Sibylle-Ried-Prize is initiated by Dr. Günter Krämer, director of the Swiss Epilepsy Center (“Schweizerisches Epilepsie-Zentrum”). Since then, the prize is awarded every two years in the German-speaking area.

2008

MICHAEL SYMPOSIUM and MICHAEL DEBATE denote scientific events of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION.

Excellent researcher – mainly MICHAEL PRIZE winners – shortly present different aspects of chosen subjects, and discuss them controversially with the audience. They take place at irregular intervals at the European epilepsy congressest.

2012

Symposium of the foundations to celebrate the 50th birthday of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION on a conference of the German Society for Epileptology.

since 2012

Publication of the first volume “Mobilitätshilfen bei Epilepsie” of the epilepsy information series “Informationen zu Epilepsie”. The series provides information about individual epileptological areas.

2014

Initiation of the Focused Michael Fellowships program, inspired by the “Department to Department Co-Operation-Project” of the European Federation of Neurological Science. It provides young doctors with the possibility to do a fellowship at a German epilepsy center.

2014

The MICHAEL FORUM was initiated in order to enable the MICHAEL PRIZE awardees to discuss their research in an informal setting organized every two years in the proximity of larger European scientific conferences. In these workshops, awardees, trustees of the MICHAEL FOUNDATION, the international jury, as well as representatives of the sponsors meet for two days to have an in-depth and at times controversial discussion of the newest findings illuminating causes, consequences, and the treatment of epileptic seizures.

2014

As suggested by the participants, the annual „Practical Seminar on Epilepsy“ in Gargnano by the MICHAEL FOUNDATION is extended to the subject of EEGs. Since then, the seminar is called „Practical Seminar on Epilepsy and EEG“.

2015

For the promotion of young epileptologists, the MICHAEL FOUNDATION provides the first scholarship for younger doctors for the participation at the “Practical Seminar on Epilepsy and EEG” in Gargnano.

since 2015

The MICHAEL FOUNDATION provides financial support for the ILAE “VIREPA Distance Education Program”. Primarily young participants from Germany and other European countries who can otherwise not finance the program are supported.

2019

The epilepsy information series “Informationen zu Epilepsie” comprises 7 volumes and covers mobility (“Mobilitätshilfen bei Epilepsie”), dialogue (“Epilepsie ansprechen”), legal questions (“Rechtsfragen bei Epilepsie”), psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (“Psychogenen nicht-epileptische Anfälle”), young kids (“Epilepsie bei Schulkindern”), family (“Epilepsie und Familie”), and SUDEP (“SUDEP”).

2019

With the King’s College London PET Centre, the Focused Michael Fellowship Program is extended to include centers in other European countries.

2020

The newly created HARALD FEY PRIZE is an award for the best scientific research work regarding causes of SUDEP as well as prevention methods and coping strategies for SUDEP. The prize was initiated by the parents of Harald Fey, who died of SUDEP in 2007, Susanne and Peter Fey, and is awarded every two years (for the first time in 2021).

2021

The epilepsy information series “Informationen zu Epilepsie” comprises 9 volumes and covers: sports („Sport bei Epilepsie“), epilepsy on old age („Epileptische Anfälle bei älteren Menschen“), SUDEP („SUDEP“), family („Epilepsie und Familie“), legal questions („Rechtsfragen bei Epilepsie“), psychogenic nonepileptic seizures („Psychogene nicht-epileptische Anfälle“), young kids („Epilepsie bei Schulkindern“), dialogue („Epilepsie ansprechen“) and mobility („Mobilitätshilfen bei Epilepsie“).

MICHAEL FOUNDATION /
STIFTUNG MICHAEL

Alsstrasse 12
53227 Bonn
Germany

Phone:   +49 228 - 94 55 45 40
Fax:         +49 228 - 94 55 45 42
E-mail: poststiftung-michael.de