Remembering Dr. John ('Jack') M. Pellock Sr.

The Epilepsy Foundation is greatly saddened to hear that Dr. John (Jack) Pellock passed away on May 6, 2016, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jack was part of the Epilepsy Foundation’s family for many years. He served in numerous capacities as a volunteer leader on the Professional Advisory Board, especially focused on his passion for advocacy and civil rights for all people who live with epilepsy and seizures.

Jack never hid the fact that he was ill. Yet, his optimism and enthusiasm for life, which he displayed to the end, is a celebration of life, creating an even more profound sense of loss.

In February 2016, Jack received the Epilepsy Foundation’s Lifetime Accelerator Award, honoring his commitment and passion to bringing new therapies to children with epilepsy. Jack’s commitment to expanding research in pediatric epilepsy is highlighted by his leadership work with many colleagues on the PEACE (Pediatric Epilepsy Academic Consortium for Extrapolation) initiative. This group focused on a new way of thinking about approving seizure medications for children in the most efficient way possible, based on the hope that efficacy in adults may be conveyed to children without independent pediatric trials.

“The number of people who are knowledgeable about and care about clinical trials for new therapies in children and babies are very few,” said Dr. Jacqueline French, chief scientific officer of the Epilepsy Foundation and professor of neurology at New York University. “Jack was a leader among them and not easily replaced. He was personally responsible for speeding many new therapies to the market.”

Jack started his pediatric residency at the Medical College of Virginia before completing his Pediatric Neurology fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He returned to Richmond and joined the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University in 1978. He became the Chairman of the Division of Pediatric Neurology in 1995 and served in this capacity for close to 20 years. As Jack's career progressed, he became the Senior Associate Dean for Professional Education and helped to develop and grow continuing medical education programs throughout the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.

During his career, he received multiple teaching awards and was known nationally and internationally for his research in pediatric epilepsy and epilepsy drug development. Jack participated in many federal and industry supported research endeavors and published over 200 journal articles and 70 book chapters. Among countless honors and appointments, Jack recently served as President of the American Epilepsy Society and received the Epilepsy Foundation 2015 Champion of Epilepsy Award.

He was an invaluable mentor and his life work and prodigious contributions will be appreciated by the international neurological community for years to come. The epilepsy community will be forever grateful for his tireless efforts to educate his patients, the community, and his peers as well as serving as a strong advocate for patients, families, and the medical community.

“Dr. Pellock’s pioneering work is a testament to his lifelong commitment to serving the epilepsy community and passion for the mission we all share,” said Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “We are grateful for his longtime support of the Epilepsy Foundation and individuals living with seizures.”

Jack leaves the Epilepsy Foundation, the American Epilepsy Society, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the fields of epilepsy and pediatric neurology with an enduring legacy that will live on in both his academic work as well as in the neurology residents, pediatric neurology fellows, pediatric residents, and medical students with whom he shared his remarkable knowledge and wisdom. Jack’s legacy has touched the lives of so many people with epilepsy and their families with his expertise, compassion, and integrity.

“One of Jack’s greatest contributions was his compassion. He exemplified kindness with a purpose,” said Nathan Fountain MD, past chair of the Epilepsy Foundation’s Professional Advisory Board and director of the F.E. Dreifuss Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the University of Virginia. “He showed a depth of care and compassion to families living with epilepsy, with students, colleagues, and everyone he met. We who have come behind him, who had the privilege of Jack’s mentorship, appreciate everything he has done for people with epilepsy and for the Epilepsy Foundation.”

Through the support of friends, colleagues, former students, and residents, the John (Jack) Pellock Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Neurology has been developed by the Virginia Commonwealth University to help continue the superb legacy of clinical care, teaching, and scholarly work that Jack so well exemplified.

“Jack Pellock was one of the true greats in the world of epilepsy. His contributions are immeasurable,” said Joseph Sirven, editor-in-chief of epilepsy.com and chair of neurology at Mayo Clinic Arizona. “Jack chaired the Advocacy Committee for the Epilepsy Foundation and was a tireless advocate for all patients with epilepsy. He served our community with a lovable sense of humor, always bringing his humanity to all of us who were lucky to encounter him.”

Jack Pellock will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing him and he will be sorely missed.

• Visitation services to be held at Bliley’s Central, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, on Friday, May 20, 2016, (2:00 to 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT)
• Funeral services to be held at St. Edward Catholic Church, 2700 Dolfield Drive, North Chesterfield, VA 23235, on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.
• In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Massy Cancer Center and the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, Central Virginia Chapter.