STATEMENT OF GOALS
As a board member, I would like to contribute to the long-term growth and sustainable impact of AAIDD.
1) Moving forward, new membership will be critical to keep AAIDD thriving. I would like to strengthen recruitment and engagement of students and early career professionals, the next generation of leaders, especially those from diverse backgrounds. I would like to increase collaborative training and research opportunities for these new leaders in the field so that they consider AAIDD their educational and research home.
2) AAIDD has built a strong coalition of advocacy organizations aligned in values and principles, committed to the full inclusion of people with IDD. I would like to develop new connections with healthcare and professional organizations to broaden the reach of AAIDD’s priorities.
3) Lastly, I would like to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the organization.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:
Current Position:
Associate Professor, Departments of Disability and Human Development & Pediatrics, University of Illinois Chicago
Director, Illinois LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and related disabilities) Program
Previous Positions:
Board Member, National Board of Directors, the ARC of United States 2016-2021
2018-21 Co-Chair, Long Range Strategic Planning Committee, the ARC of United States
Education:
- Certificate in Clinical Medical Ethics (University of Chicago, 2008)
- Fellowship (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Chicago, 2004-2007)
- Residency (Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, University of Chicago 1999-2003)
- MD (Boston University School of Medicine, 1999)
- BA (Boston University, Magna Cum Laude)
AAIDD Participation:
- Member-at-Large Board Member (appointed) 2022-present
- Member, IDD editor Search Committee 2022
- Member, Nominations & Election Committee, 2022
- Member, Health and Wellness Interest Group 2022-present
- Co-chair, Health and Wellness Interest Group 2015-2022
- Conference Abstract Reviewer- various years
- Published in AJIDD in 2022 and 2013
- Poster presentation, 2020 Annual Meeting and Conference (June 2020- canceled) and 2015 Annual Meeting and Conference
- Moderator, Panel presentation, 2019 Annual Meeting and Conference
Activities/Awards:
- 2022 Recipient, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Dale Richmond/ Justin Coleman Award
- for outstanding contributions to the field of child development and behavior through advocacy, public service, scientific endeavors, and literature.
- Chair, National LEND Self Advocacy Discipline Network Workgroup, Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) 2014-present.
- National committee to evaluate, develop and disseminate best practice to include and support self advocates as LEND trainees, 2014-present