Dr. Lann E. Thompson Retiring from Riley Child Development Center LEND Program, Indiana University School of Medicine

July 16, 2013

Lann E. Thompson, Ed.D., MSSW, M.A.
ACSW, LCSW, LMFT
Dr. Thompson will be retiring from the Riley Child Development Center LEND Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, effective July 31, 2013 after 43 years of service to people with disabilities and their families in Indiana, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Dr. Thompson is appreciated for his enthusiastic devotion to teaching, telehealth, expertise in distance learning, knowledge of transition issues for youth and families, and advocacy for minorities, especially with regard to Native American cultural, employment and health care issues working as a long term board member for the American Indian Center of Indiana. He carried out grant reviews for multiple HRSA/MCHB solicitations and was the chair for several federal grant review panels.

He has held strong leadership roles on many national and state boards, including service as President of the Indiana Chapter, National Association of Social Workers. In 1992, he was awarded the Social Worker of the Year Award for Indiana. He served on the National Board of Directors for NASW as the Region VII representative for IN, OH, KY, TN and WV, chaired the NASW Personnel Committee, served on the NASW National Committee for Racial and Ethnic Diversity, and was elected eight times to complete consecutive three year terms on the National Delegate Assembly including Chair for the 2011 Assembly.

In addition he was elected as Chair of the Council for Interdisciplinary Service and as a board member for the Association of University Centers on Disability. He is a founding board member of About Special Kids, Inc. which is a well-regarded parent organization in Indiana. It is of note that he has been serving on the board of this vital parent organization since its inception in 1987. Dr. Thompson developed and for 32 years has continuously taught an elective graduate course on death and dying, grief and loss in the Indiana University School of Social Work at IUPUI. Over the years he has been an inspiring mentor, clinical field instructor and teacher for hundreds of students and LEND trainees.

A Farewell Reception will be held on July 18 from 1 to 3 PM at Meiks Conference Room at Riley Hospital for Children. RSVP to Twanna Duncan: [email protected].