Robert T. Egel, MD, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and has since not strayed far from his roots. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, he attended Chicago Medical School at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He then went on to train in pediatrics at Northwestern University, the Children’s Memorial Hospital (now known as Lurie Children’s Hospital) and pediatric neurology at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

He then spent two years serving at the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, where he had a potential base of one million dependent children as referrals from nine different states. During this time he also made quarterly visits to each state to give lectures and perform on-base consultations.

After serving in the Army, he returned to Chicago, where his immediate and extended family lived. There, Dr. Egel launched what became a lifelong medical career in the windy city. He has served as the Site Director for the University of Illinois’ (Chicago) Integrated Neurology Residency Program at the Advocate Christ Medical Center for 15 years, until 2018, as well as the Division Head of Pediatric Neurology at the Advocate Children’s Hospital for 31 years, until 2017. He holds the rank of Clinical Professor, Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UIC-Chicago.

When asked “when did you become interested in pediatric neurology?”, Dr. Egel says he believes that he was subliminally influenced when his late mother would take him to the Fran Allison Easter Seal Day Camp to volunteer with the physically and mentally challenged children in attendance. He says, “Somehow, it got into my soul and I never wavered from pursuing a career in pediatric neurology.”

While his primary practice has always been pediatric neurology, Dr. Egel likes to think he “grew up” with his patients, treating them as they grew into adulthood, and maintains a sizable adult practice today.

An avid tennis player with an adventurous spirit, Dr. Egel and his wife, Eva, enjoy spending time with their children and cruising. When he’s not traveling, he can usually be found attending various schooling and sporting events for his five grandchildren.

Dr. Egel was introduced to SCNS in 2000, but got hooked after attending a meeting in Costa Rica in 2001. He immediately recognized that this organization was not like any other. He describes his initial experience with SCNS as a “place for bright and gifted people to share a common interest in scientific and clinical medicine, while cultivating lasting friendships.” A past president, Dr. Egel continues to be active and dedicated to helping the organization achieve new heights.

His favorite SCNS memories are of Meet the Professor chats in the hospitality suite, where he enjoys exchanging ideas with the other attendees and sharing camaraderie. He looks forward to visiting with old friends each year and also appreciates having somewhere warm to escape to during blustery Chicago winters.