Biographies
Robert L. Ruff, MD, PhD
Dr. Ruff is the Director of Neurology for the National Department of Veterans Affairs HealthCare System, Chief of the Neurology Service at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, and Professor in the Department Neurology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ruff developed the plan for the Epilepsy Centers of Excellence in response to the conditions of Public Law 110-387. He hopes that the ECoEs develop into a network that will extend expertise in treating veterans with epilepsy throughout the Veterans Health Administration system of care.
Dr. Ruff received training at The Cooper Union, New York, NY; University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Cornell Medical Center, New York Hospital, New York, NY.
Ryan Rieger, MHPA
Ryan Rieger joined the Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (ECoEs) at the San Francisco VA Medical Center in September 2010 as the National Administrative Director. Ryan graduated with his Masters in Health Policy and Administration from Washington State University in 2005. He previously served as Administrative Officer for the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center (PADRECC) at the Portland VA Medical Center.
As National Administrative Director, Ryan manages the national administrative operations of a comprehensive program, supporting clinical, research, education, and administrative projects and initiatives aimed at providing exceptional health care to Veterans with epilepsy. Ryan is enthusiastic about the experiences and challenges ahead as ECoEs National Administrative Director.