All donations made on this page will directly support The R. Mark Sadler Fellowship in Clinical Epilepsy and Neurophysiology. The Sadler family will be notified of your donation in memory of Dr. R. Mark Sadler. Thank you for your thoughtful gesture.
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Dr. R. Mark Sadler
(SEPTEMBER 24, 1953 – DECEMBER 26, 2023)
Dr. Mark Sadler was instrumental in creating the Halifax Epilepsy Program. Arriving in 1988, he joined a Division of Neurology which lacked any specialized services for people with epilepsy. Over the course of his career, he built virtually every aspect of the epilepsy surgery program, including the only epilepsy monitoring unit in Atlantic Canada. He worked closely with colleagues to establish a surgical EEG program, advanced neuroimaging techniques, and an integrated neuropsychology service. When he retired in 2020, he left a world-class clinical program, one capable of providing all aspects of exemplary epilepsy care. In addition to his clinical contributions, Dr. Sadler is recognized as an unparalleled teacher and mentor, having inspired numerous neurology trainees over decades of instruction and mentorship to pursue subspecialisation in epilepsy and neurophysiology. His former trainees are now working in Halifax, across North America, and around the world. He exemplifies dedication to clinical excellence, scientific curiosity, and a drive to improve the quality and compassion of care for all patients.
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We are seeking to raise $3,000,000 to support an endowed fellowship in Dr. Sadler’s name, as a fitting tribute to the tireless devotion he displayed in improving care for Atlantic Canadians with epilepsy, while inspiring generations of neurology trainees to follow him into this field. This sum, while ambitious, is sufficient to cover the salary of a clinical fellow training for one or two years, in perpetuity.
We have also designated goals along the way:
- $20,000 will support an annual award of $1000 for an epilepsy nurse, EEG technologist, or neurology resident to support conference attendance or mini-fellowships at other centres.
- $100,000 will support an annual lecture series to bring world-class epilepsy specialists to Halifax to share innovative ideas and build collaborations.
- $1,000,000 will support a fellowship position for 10 years.
The R. Mark Sadler Fellowship in Clinical Epilepsy and Neurophysiology
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting 6/1000 Canadians. Although seizures are a key feature, people with epilepsy also have higher rates of depression and anxiety, attain lower levels of education and employment, and can experience significant social stigma. Fortunately, we can readily treat seizures in most patients. However, a third of patients develop seizures that do not respond to medications. These patients require more specialized care.
The Halifax Epilepsy Program delivers comprehensive care to people with epilepsy coming from all over Atlantic Canada. The program already provides complex medical management, evaluations for epilepsy surgery, and evaluations for implantable devices to control seizures. We are now looking to establish Dalhousie University and Halifax as a national and international training centre of excellence for neurologists with sub-specialty interest in epilepsy and neurophysiology. The ability to recruit top-tier Fellows from across Canada and around the world will enable the Halifax Epilepsy Program to continue its growth, further enhance care for Atlantic Canadians, and increase its engagement in clinical research.
Fellows are key members of the academic training environment, and are the mark of a fully-developed program. Our epilepsy fellows will have already received specialty training in neurology, and will be taking one or two years to subspecialize in a particular area at a recognized centre of excellence. They will see patients independently in clinic, participate in the surgical evaluation of patients with difficult to treat epilepsy, and will provide direct teaching to neurology residents and medical students. They will also participate in clinical research, advancing our understanding of epilepsy and improving our ability to treat patients. Having completed their training, our fellows will go on to seek careers as academic epilepsy specialists, carrying the influence of their time at Dalhousie. The addition of clinical fellows to the team on an ongoing basis allows significant expansion of research goals, capacity for innovative care delivery, and the ability to expand care delivery over time by developing more clinicians able to care for this vulnerable and complex population of patients.
We can offer fellows exposure to the fundamental requirements for training, including busy referral clinics, EEG interpretation training, an active 4-bed epilepsy monitoring unit, MRI and nuclear medicine imaging techniques, and neuropsychology. In addition, we are expanding our use of advanced diagnostic techniques, which will provide exposure to both cutting edge technologies and opportunities for important clinical research. Despite the relatively small size of our centre, we are equipped to foster the development of clinicians with exemplary preparation for management of complex clinical cases, and the drive and capacity for continuous innovation towards excellence.
The faculty directly involved in the program are Canadian-trained neurologists, with additional training at renowned epilepsy centres in Canada and in the United Kingdom. There is also close integration with the Division of Neurosurgery. We have experience with training several fellows on an ad hoc basis, and these fellows have already gone on to initiate successful careers as epilepsy specialists at other centres.
A big thank you to our Supporters
The real heroes who are kindly helping us achieve our goal
K Schoffer
$200
David And Family
$5.02k
Mary Connolly, Clae President
$2k
Nancy Morrison
$200
John Jenkins
Always so helpful and understanding. Sincere regrets his golden years were so short.
$100
Steve & Michell Lintott
$52
Dr. Mary Connolly
$1.02k
Laura Schep And Edwin Bamwoya
$100
Iain Smith
$415
Kari Harrison
$208
Bryan Young
I was deeply saddened to hear of Mark's passing. As others have mentioned, he was an excellent neurologist, epileptologist, EEGer, but, most of all, a kind, good man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
$530
Seyed Mirsattari
Very sad to see such a great colleague and a true friend to leave us so unexpectedly! Mark gave so much of his life to our EEG and epilepsy community and Canadian Medicine in general. Mark will be remembered for his wit, sense of humour, friendship, knowledge, teaching style, dedication to his patients, role model as a father, and deep respect for others. Mark, Rest in Peace! May God bless your soul! You will be greatly missed! To the Sadler family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Respectfully! Seyed Mirsattari and family
$300
Emma Harris
$156
Vivian Mcalister
$104
Ann Collinson
Keltie,Meredith and Leah, My sincere condolences on the loss of Mark.He touched many lives .I have such fond memories of a kind, caring,genuine person that he was.
$52
Marie Matheson
I will always remember Dr. Sadler. He played an important role in controlling my epileptic seizures. I am shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. My deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues.
$52
Stu And Cindy
Our thoughts are with all of you. Keep your memories of Mark close.
$515
Susan Crowe
What sadness I felt in reading of Dr. Sadler’s death. Not only did he change my life for the better, but gave my younger sister a life she never would have had without him. He, and Susan Rahey, changed me forever, and to my complete benefit. I will always, always remember him fondly and with deep respect. A fine man, a fine doctor is no longer with us, to our great loss. His legacy, however, will live on in thousands of lives he held in his heart and soul.
$260
Wayne & Joan Myles
Wayne has fond memories of Mark from our time in the Rothesay and K Park days, and then Joan and Wayne recall connecting again while we were all pursuing our respective professional practices in St. John’s NL. Condolences to Mark’s family and all who feel a sense of loss of this multi talented and caring individual.
$250
Kevin Kehoe
Dr. Sadler guided me to surgery and I haven't had a seizure in the 20-plus years since that time.
$50
Albert & Mary Quirk
$104
Theresa Hemsworth
Mark was a brilliant colleague.
$26
Sharon Mcdonnell-carline
$52
Nancy Vanstone
$50
Walter Schlech
$1,000
Leo Fares & Marissa Leblanc
$100
Dr Richard S Mclachlan
For a good friend and a great colleague.
$1.52k
Natalie Parks
$100
Simon Jackson
$260
Nailyn Rasool
Mark was a gifted clinician, educator and mentor. He changed the lives of so many of his patients, trainees and colleagues. We will all continue to be inspired by his dedication, kindness, and leadership. It is wonderful that his legacy of excellence will continue through this fellowship.
$515
Anonymous
$52
Shannon Nearing
Such a fitting tribute to Mark. He was a brilliant neurologist and epileptologist and overall nice guy whose legacy lives on.
$100
Wendy Mcphee
Sorry for the loss of a great neurologist and Co - worker. Dr. Sadler will be greatly missed and forever in my heart.
$104
Gregory Jenkins
Please accept my condolences on Mark’s passing. He stood out as an exceptional neurologist in a group of talented neurologists at Dalhousie. One of my favourite people during my neurosurgery training.
$104
Elizabeth Donner
Dr. Sadler was an engaged and engaging member of our community who will be truly missed. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
$50
Colin Josephson
Mark was undoubtedly the reason I pursued a career in epilepsy. He was an inspiring mentor, a polymath in the truest sense of the word, and a brilliant epileptologist. But most importantly he was a great friend. I am grateful to have known him and will never forgot the lessons he taught me, nor his keen sense of humour that would particularly raise its head quadrennially during each Rugby World Cup. He will be dearly missed.
$52
Deirdre Floyd & John Skuggedal
I was a patient of Dr. Sadler's since 1989. I went to him for a second opinion shortly after he arrived in Halifax . It was the best decision I ever made. Dr. Sadler truly investigated the underlying cause of my seizure disorder. In fact, I remember when the Video EEG machine was a stationary machine in the room with me during my admission as opposed to the Unit the hospital has today. Through that investigation it lead to a trip to London Ontario for further investigation. Over the course of 34 years of his care it lead to a VNS device in which I was the first female in NS to get the implant. That was some time ago. He was a wonderful caring doctor and also a wonderful person. He will be deeply missed by all.
$615
Cyrus Boelman
He was an inspiring leader, teacher, colleague and decent dude.
$515
Greg Van De Moortele
$1,000
Glen Ginther
$104
Shelly Mcneil
Tim (Mailman) and I were saddened to hear the news of Dr. Sadler’s death. He was one of the best teachers we had in medical school and remained a trusted and respected colleague and mentor ever since! He will be missed by so many! Our deepest condolences to all who loved him!
$208
Jeremy Moeller
Mark inspired so many of us to pursue a career in epilepsy care, and I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a treasured teacher, mentor and friend, and his lessons are with me every day. It is so fitting that there will be an epilepsy fellowship in his name.
$1.02k
Rebecca George
A wonderful teacher and role model during my years as a resident who was incredibly kind to me. He will be greatly missed in the neurology community
$104
Don Langille
My deepest sympathies to the Sadler family. Mark was a wonderful man and a very accomplished physician. He will be missed by many, many people.
$104
Jenn Lightfoot
Sending love and prayers. Devastated that this world lost such an incredible person. Not only a loss for the family but a loss for the epilepsy community. Keltie and girls, sending much love and hugs to you all.
$104
Joan Chipman
Thank you to Mark Sadler for helping my daughter, Debby
$75
Greg And Penny Burgess
$104
Sandra Singleton
So sorry to hear of Dr. Sadler's passing. You have my deepest sympathy.
$50
Martin Soudek
$156
Roger Mckelvey
A devastating loss, It was an honour to work with him. He was a superb epileptologist.
$260
Glenn Campbell & Renée Lutwick
Keltie, We are so saddened to hear about Mark’s passing; our condolences to you and your family. Glenn and Renée
$208
Jeff Peddle
We were so sad to hear of Dr.Sadler’s passing. He touched so many lives during difficult times. We met due to an epilepsy diagnosis and appreciated his expertise and genuine care. He will be greatly missed.
$52
Allan Purdy
What Mark has done has made a difference for people with epilepsy. This Fellowship in his name should continue to make a difference in years to come.
$500
Howard Wightman
So sorry to hear of Mark's death. I was privileged to train under Mark and enjoyed his ongoing council and support throughout my cardiology and internal medicine career.
$104
Colin Burkimsher
$21
Cindy Norrad
$104
Anonymous
$2.52k
Janet&tony Tucker
With deepest gratitude for the continuous support for our daughter Alexa Vodicka as she navigated the struggle with epilepsy which ended with successful temporal lobe surgery. Never will it be forgotten
$156
Aidan Pine
So sorry to hear this. My condolences Leigh, and to the rest of the family.
$100
Caitlin Tarlton
We were so very lucky to have had him. He trained and inspired a generation of neurologists and truly revolutionized epilepsy care in the Maritimes. Thank you Dr. Sadler, we deeply miss you.
$1.02k
Brenda, Reg & Brad Conrad
Condolences to his wife and children. Mark was my son’s neurologist and was such a caring, compassionate, outstanding Doctor. He was so approachable and always gave us hope.
$104
Linda Milrod
$104
Tim And Megan Jones
$52
Krista Biggs
I hope this will help continue the work he started.
$52
Wendy Drake
Thanks for all you did and for being a great colleague. You will be greatly missed. Your contributions professionally and beautiful family are a wonderful legacy. F Cancer
$54
Lisa Kitchen
$50
Clyde Wetmore
Our thoughts and condolences are with you, Keltie, as well as the whole family. Cheryl and Clyde
$104
Sultan Darvesh
Marc was a great neurologist and epileptologist and this is a fitting tribute to his significant contributions.
$208
Keith Sutherland & Family
Thank you Dr. Sadler for your excellent care and compassion.
$104
Thalia Field
Mark was an outstanding clinician, teacher and human being. He was an outstanding role model for how one could be an outstanding physician while always remaining approachable and with a wonderful sense of humour. It was an honour to learn from him and he will be deeply missed.
$1.02k
Deborah Thompson
A wonderful physician!
$260
Timothy Benstead
This is a great
$104
Jeremy And Gillian Pridham
Mark was a great clinician, a wonderful person and a dear friend. We are better for having known him.
$104
Zoe & Adam
$108
Christopher Ricketts And Holly Vaughan
$52
Janet Gordon
$52
Hanya Chmara
My sincere condolences. The impact that Dr. Sadler made in the world of Epilepsy was nothing short of incredible. May his legacy be continued through this fine.
$100
Cindy Ochieng
$260
Nicola Langille
$104
Michelle Mackay
$104
Susan Mansour
$104
Stephen Barry And Barbara Barry
$200
Alexa Vodicka
In honour of a remarkable man who provided hope, determination, humour, solutions and gave me a whole new and better life 25 years ago. Forever grateful.
$1.02k
Sean Bradley
$52
Gord Gubitz
I can think of no better way to honor Mark than to make this Fellowship happen!!
$104
Kyle Crews
$104
Lucy B
$100
David Bell
$100
Anonymous
$104
Beth & Lorne Gaudet
$104
