Edmund “Eddie” Girtler joined the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York (EFNENY) in September 2025 as the Marketing & Communications Intern. 

Eddie is currently a senior at Siena University, majoring in Marketing Communications. He is set to graduate in May 2026. 

Motivated by a desire to help others and inspired by a personal connection, Eddie was drawn to EFNENY’s mission. He was first introduced to the organization through his best friend’s family, who had been affected by epilepsy. Eddie has participated in the National Epilepsy Walk in Saratoga for several years and deeply admires the sense of community the event fosters. 

“I’ve always wanted to be part of something that brings people together and makes a difference,” Eddie shared. “Epilepsy isn’t talked about as much as it should be, and I want to help change that.” 

When asked about his favorite part of the internship, Eddie said “Being part of a tight-knit team where everyone cares about epilepsy and wants to make an impact. Another thing I love is working collaboratively while gaining hands-on experience in what it takes to raise awareness among many people.” 

Looking ahead, Eddie hopes to continue making a difference—whether by helping individuals or entire communities. He also has a passion for baseball, having played throughout his life, and dreams of one day becoming a coach. 

Fun fact about Eddie: He loves spending time with his family and friends—whether it’s traveling for baseball or relaxing by a fire on a nice summer night. One of Eddie’s favorite places to travel is Boston, where he enjoys catching a Red Sox game as an avid fan.