Karen Edwards, MD, (Westchester Institute for Human Development: NY UCEDD/LEND), Appointed to the New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education

November 23, 2009

VALHALLA, NY -- New York State Governor David A. Paterson announced the appointment of Dr. Karen Edwards to the New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Edwards is Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related[k1]related Disabilities (LEND) training program at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD), a two-semester program for graduate students and post-graduates in health and education professions who are interested in furthering their leadership role in a career focused on children with disabilities and their families.

The New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education is a select group of 30 health, hospital and public professionals. Its members are appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Health.

"We are so excited about Dr. Edward's appointment and this opportunity she has to share her expertise in training medical professionals to treat people with disabilities," said Dr. Ansley Bacon, president and CEO at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, a key regional organization in New York supporting children and adults with disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neurological and cognitive disabilities, hearing and vision problems, and speech/language delays. "I am confident that the longtime experience Dr. Edwards has in running the LEND program at WIHD will be a real asset to her work on the Council."

The New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education was created in 1987 to provide advice to the Governor and the Commissioner of Health. The Council is charged with developing and implementing State policies on medical education and training, as well as efforts to increase the number of minority physicians training in New York; improving the training of medical residents; and increasing the number and specialties of physicians.

"I am honored to be selected to serve on this Council, and I look forward to the opportunity to have input into how physicians are trained in the State of New York," said Dr. Edwards.

Dr. Edwards has served as the LEND Program Director at WIHD since 2002, and has been a faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at New York Medical College (NYMC) since 1988 and at NYMC's School of Public Health since 2003. She is a member of the NYMC Executive Curriculum Committee and of the Curriculum Committee of the School of Health Sciences and Practice. Previously at NYMC, she has served as NYMC's Associate Dean for Primary Care, as well as chairperson of the NYMC Clinical Years curriculum subcommittee, course director for the Introduction to Primary Care course for NYMC medical students, director of NYMC's Pediatric Residency program at the Westchester Medical Center and as a member of the general pediatrics faculty practice which serves many children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families.

The Westchester Institute for Human Development is part of a national network of university-affiliated centers dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through education, service, and research for more than 50 years. It is a key regional organization in New York supporting children and adults with disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neurological and cognitive disabilities, hearing and vision problems, and speech/language delays. WIHD's services, which often follow a child throughout his or her lifespan, include comprehensive medical and dental care programs, and education and support services. Most of the parents whose children receive services at WIHD say that they feel that they are part of a "family" where all work together as a team to ensure that their children grow into adults that can become productive members of society.