2020 Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical LTD.
(2022)
Top Ranked Doctor (Top 10%), UCHealth
(2022)
ncr patient survey tool
Denver Top Doctors, 5280 Magazine
(2021)
physician nominated
UCH Pioneer Award, Medical Staff - University of Colorado
(2020)
Award, recognizing the pioneering work of creating, developing and implementing a novel multidisciplinary clinic for the evaluation, management and treatment of patients with non-epileptic seizures.
Nomination for Medical Staff Award, University of Colorado
(2019)
Nomination for Medical Staff Award, University of Colorado
(2018)
highly competitive awards with nominations from faculty for service, innovation, etc.
I am currently primary investigator in a study for patients with non-epileptic seizures (NES), The NES clinic has treated > 600 patients as of 2020. Research involves, studying best practices for the care, management and improvement of outcomes in this patient population.
Teaching
Associate Professor
(2015)
School of Medicine,
Neurology
non-epileptic seizures
Publications
Katherine N. McFarlane1, Corinne H. Allas2,3, Samuel W. Terman4, Sung Hyun Seo4, Amir H. Karimi2,3, Siddhika S. Sreenivasan2,3, Jena M. Smith2,3, Di Sun5, Meagan Watson8, Elissa H. Patterson4,6, Nicholas J. Beimer4,6, John M. Stern2, Jamie D. Feusner3, Lubomir M. Hadjiiski5, Markus Reuber7, Laura A. Strom8, Jian Kang9, William C. Stacey4,10, Wesley T. Kerr1-4,11* Quantifying the impact of computer-aided diagnostic score on the diagnosis of functional seizures. Katherine N. McFarlane. (AAN annual meeting 2024)
MM Watson, WT Kerr, M Bean, L Strom. Functional Seizure Clinics: A Proposed Financially Viable Solution to the Neurologist Supply and Demand Mismatch. Neurol Clin Prac 2023 Vol. 13 Issue 4 Pages e200179. Accession Number : 37529298. DOI: 10.1212.cpj. 0000000000200179
M. Watson, J. Woodward and L.A.Strom. The Financial Burden of Neurological Disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2023 Accession Number: 37695443 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-023-01298-8
Suicide in Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease: A Retrospective Case-Control Study. Kennis, M, Emily Hale, Rachel Davis, Steven Ojemann, Laura Strom, Olga Klepitskaya. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease 2023 Vol. 13 Issue 3 p 415-419.
Luke Kim, Steven Savinoff, Laura Strom. Seizure Reduction is Not the Only Treatment Goal for Person with NES American Epilepsy Society Abstract December 2023
1. Meagan Watson, Holly Borland, Sarah Baker, Stefan Sillau, Carl Armon, Laura Strom.
Exploring the influence of telehealth on patient engagement with a multidisciplinary Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES) Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Epilepsy & Behavior, 2022. Vol 131, 108707
Ictal Injuries in Patient’s with Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES). Lyndsey Babcock, Stefan Sillau, Meagan Watson, Laura Strom. American Epilepsy Society. (2022)
Cumulative childhood trauma, perceived severity, and non-epileptic seizure onset: a retrospective, observational study Kimberlyn Cook Kimberlyn Cook, Meagan Watson, Sarah Baker, Stefan Sillau, Elizabeth Greenwell, Laura Strom 4th International Conference on Functional Neurological Disorders (2022)
Financial Feasibility of Integrating an Outpatient Non-Epileptic Seizure Clinic in Neurology. Meagan Watson, MPH, Meagan Bean MPH, Wesley Kerr, MD,PhD, Laura Strom MD American Epilepsy Society. (2022)
Collection of self-reported trauma history data in an NES population Sarah Baker, Meagan Watson, Stefan Sillau, Kelly Thoma, Chelsea Frantz, Laura Strom 4th International Conference on Functional Neurological Disorders (2022)
Lenio, S., Kerr, W. T., Watson, M., Baker, S., Bush, C., Rajic, A., & Strom, L. (2021). Adherence to Tele-Mental Healthcare in the NES population during the COVID-19 Era.Epilepsy & Behavior, 116, 107767. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107767
Lenio S, Kerr W, Watson M, Baker S, Bush C, Rajic A, Strom L. Validation of a predictive calculator to distinguish between patients with non-epileptic versus epileptic seizures. Epilepsy Behav, 116, 107767.doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107767.
Andrea Chau, Meagan Watson, Sarah Baker, Emily Janio MPH, Lisa Viltz, Laura Strom MD., Characterizing Stigma in Patients with Non-Epileptic Seizures: A Prospective Study. 2.287 American Epilepsy Society Abstract (2021)
Lenio S, Kerr W, Watson M, Baker S, Bush C, Rajic A, Strom L. Validation of a predictive calculator to distinguish between patients with non-epileptic versus epileptic seizures. Epilepsy & Behavior 2021 [in press]
2. Kluger B, Drees C, Wodushek T, Frey L, Strom L, Brown, M, Bainbridge J, Fischer S, Shrestha A, Spitz M. Would People Living with Epilepsy Benefit from Palliative Care? Epilepsy Behav. 2020
3. Randi Libbon, Sarah Baker, Meagan Watson, Crystal Natvig, Laura Strom, Susan Mikulich. Sex Effects on Coping, Dissociation, and PTSD in Patients with Non-epileptic Seizures. Current Psychiatry Reports (2020) 22:69.
Kluger B, Drees C, Wodushek T, Frey L, Strom L, Brown, M, Bainbridge J, Fischer S, Shrestha A, Spitz M. Would People Living with Epilepsy Benefit from Palliative Care? Epilepsy Behav., 114(PtA), 107618.doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107618.
Wechsler RT, Radtke RA, Smith M, Vossler DG, Strom L, Trinka E, Cheng H, Grinnell T, Blum D, Vieira M, Moreira J, Rocha F. Serum sodium levels and related treatment-emergent adverse events during eslicarbazepine acetate use in adults with epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2019 Jul;60(7):1341-1352. PubMed PMID: 31260089
Pazdera L, Sperling MR, Harvey JH, Sam MC, Strom LA, Blum D, Grinnell T, Cheng H. Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate monotherapy in patients converting from carbamazepine. Epilepsia. 2018 Mar;59(3):704-714. PubMed PMID: 29450890
Pazdera L, Sperling MR, Harvey JH, Sam MC, Strom LA, Blum D, Grinnell T, Cheng H. Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate monotherapy in patients converting from carbamazepine. Epilepsia. 2018 Mar;59(3):704-714. PubMed PMID: 29450890
Strom, L et al (2022) Measuring Patient reported outcomes in a population of patients with NES, treated with a group model. [manuscript in preparation]
Financial Feasibility of Integrating an Outpatient Non-Epileptic Seizure Clinic in Neurology. Meagan Watson, MPH, Meagan Bean MPH, Wesley Kerr, MD,PhD, Laura Strom MD [manuscript in preparation anticipated submission 1/2023]
ABPN certification in Epilepsy, Board Certification
(2013)
Conditions & Treatments
Brain and Nervous System
Mental Health and Behavior
Brain and Nervous System - Epilepsy
Clinical Interests
I am a fellowship trained Epileptologist, specializing in the care and management of patients with non-epileptic seizures.
Specialty Clinics: Non-Epileptic Seizure (NES) Clinic, Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) Clinic, Functional Neurology Clinic, Clinical Trials
Care Philosophy
I started my career thinking I would be a psychiatrist and learned to listen first, suspending disbelief. Patients often have their own solutions, and the doctor needs to help the patient discover what those solutions are. I believe the doctors role is to be a partner with the patient in their care. As Ernest Hemmingway put it, "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places." I strive, as do all of my colleagues, to meet patients where they are and to be a guide to wellness.
Personal Interests
I am an avid knitter and knitting for charity occupies a great deal of my knitting energy. I grow my own vegetables and love container gardening, composting makes everything come full circle. In addition to preserving tomatoes, pickling cucumbers and coriander seed, I make jams and jellies. I love to be outdoors doing anything.
Volunteer Activities
I served as past chair of the physician's advisory board to the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado. I am now seated on the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
I knit for a breast prostheses organization and for Knit-4-Peace.
I am a church volunteer.
I am a volunteer fund raiser for the Epilepsy Foundation.
Public Speaking Yes
NES
General Information
Medical Schools:
MD, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
(1997)
Undergraduate Schools:
BA, California State University System (CA)
(1993)
Internships:
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program
(1999)
Penn State University/Milton S Hershey Medical Center Program
(1998)
Residency Programs:
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program, Neurology (2002)
Fellowships:
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program, Neurophysiology, Epilepsy
(2003)