Dr. Meriem Bensalem-Owen is a Professor of Neurology and the Director of the Epilepsy Program at the University of Kentucky. She also holds the Robert and Jeanne Nyere Professorship in Epilepsy Research and is the Director of the Epilepsy Fellowship Training Program at the University of Kentucky.

In addition to her work as a physician in a busy academic medical center, Dr. Bensalem-Owen is involved in several organizations, representing the University of Kentucky (UKHC) and the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute (KNI) regionally and nationally. She is the current President of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) which is an honor of a lifetime! Additionally, she is the President of the Epilepsy Foundation Kentuckiana (EFKY) Board of Directors.

Dr. Bensalem-Owen enjoys raising awareness and funds for the epilepsy community through different activities that capitalize on Kentucky's industries (such as the Bourbon Industry) and the beautiful Bluegrass area. She is devoted to helping others and is thrilled to be able to raise awareness and funds for two wonderful organizations, The Rotary Club of Lexington and Surgery on Sunday. The Rotary Club is an organization that is particularly dear to her heart and a family passion. Her parents were both involved with the Rotary Club back home. Her father was president of the Rotary Club of Algiers. With her involvement in this year's DWLS, she hopes also to honor her father who sadly passed away this past December.

A few years ago, she was invited to attend DWLS by her dear friends, Dr. Joseph Berger and his lovely wife, Sandy Berger. She still uses the DWLS souvenir mug from that special night. So, when she was contacted by Hunter Lisle to participate in this year's event, she was ecstatic. Actually, she had her cappuccino that day in that special mug!

A couple of interesting facts about Dr. Bensalem-Owen…while in medical school, she had a desert fox as a pet and over the past 15 years, she has been training in a variety of martial arts. Her son, Aiden, inspired her to get started! They practiced Taekwondo together since he was 5 years old and eventually also trained in Krav Maga and Muay Thai together. Lately, she has been focusing on training exclusively in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Aiden is now studying industrial engineering in Florida and is so much looking forward to cheering for his mom on May 11th!