On July 25, 2006, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, announced 77 new appointments to the Order of Canada.  Dr. Frederick Andermann was named an Officer to the order for his work in the field of health care.

Dr. Andermann is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Pediatrics at McGill University.  He is also the Director of the Epilepsy Service and the Epilepsy Unit at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. Dr. Andermann is one of the world’s foremost leaders in the description, diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.  Dr. Andermann has shown a remarkable ability to identify syndromes and assemble multidisciplinary teams of researchers to conduct further clinical investigations.  The results of his inquiries in such areas as cortical dysplasias, progressive myoclonic epilepsies, epilepsy surgery and genetically determined disorders have been published in six books and over 400 articles.  His monographs on alternating hemiplegia, Rasmussen’s Syndrome and migraine-epilepsy syndromes have contributed significantly to understanding these  disorders and have led to further research in these areas.  Much of Dr. Andermann’s pioneering investigations into epilepsy have been in collaboration with his wife and colleague, Dr. Eva Andermann. They are best known for identifying in the 1970s what later came to be known as Andermann’s syndrome, a debilitating and degenerative disease of the  nervous system concentrated in patients of the Saguenay and Charlevoix regions of Quebec.

"The epilepsy world should be proud to read the following announcement about one of its most important figures," said Simon Shorvon, Information Officer for the International League Against Epilepsy. "I am sure all of us offer Fred Andremann our sincere congratulations and best wishes"

Dr. Andermann has been a key figure in training neurologists and in the development of epilepsy programs around the world.  Through his vision and leadership, he has expanded his sphere of expertise by gathering around him a strong group of colleagues at the MNI that provide a rich multidisciplinary environment.  Dr. Andermann’s  reputation and the environment he has built at the Neuro with Dr. Eva Andermann, have attracted fellows from around the world.  He has trained fellows from more than 15 countries, many of whom have gone on to distinguished academic careers at Harvard University, University of Melbourne, University College Hospitals in London and Tokyo Women’s Medical College.

Dr. Andermann has been recognized for his outstanding achievements with the 2003 Prix Wilder Penfield, the 2000 William G. Lennox Award from the American Epilepsy Society, the 1999 Penfield Award for Contribution in  Outstanding Canadian Epileptology from the Canadian League Against Epilepsy, and the 1995 Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award from the American Epilepsy Society and Milken Foundation.  The University  of Chicago has created The Fred Andermann and Pierre Gloor Award of Excellence in Clinical Neuro-physiology to be bestowed on an individual for his or her outstanding performance in clinical neurophysiology.

The Montreal Neurological Institute (www.mni.mcgill.ca) is a McGill University (www.mcgill.ca) research and teaching institute, dedicated to the study of the nervous system and neurological diseases.  Founded in 1934 by the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield, the MNI is one of the world’s largest institutes of its kind. MNI researchers are world leaders in cellular and molecular neuroscience, brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience and the study and treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders.

The MNI, with its clinical partner, the Montreal Neurological Hospital (MNH), part of the McGill University Health Centre (www.muhc.ca), continues to integrate research, patient care and training, and is recognized as one of the premier neuroscience centres in the world.  Already well known for its McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, the MNI will expand its brain imaging research in the next several years through a $28 million award from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, made in partnership with the government of Quebec. There will also be further development of MNI initiatives in multiple sclerosis, optical imaging and nano-neuroscience.

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