The University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Brenda Salley as the new Director of the Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program.
Dr. Salley is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Kansas City, where she also serves as Director of the KUMC Baby Lab. Her interdisciplinary work bridges developmental science, clinical psychology, and community-engaged research, with a focus on promoting early childhood development and family well-being.
Dr. Salley is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience specializing in the early identification of autism and developmental concerns, as well as infant and early childhood mental health. Her research focuses on developing and evaluating communication and social-emotional intervention approaches that support underserved and at-risk families. Dr. Salley is particularly committed to developing practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be implemented across community and healthcare settings to improve developmental outcomes for children and families.
“The Kansas LEND is a long-standing federally-funded prestigious training program for our state and our region that is part of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences here at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In her role as Director, Dr. Salley will provide vision, leadership, and direction for the Kansas LEND , leading our interdisciplinary LEND faculty, and strengthening partnerships with our UCEDD and other disability related programs, as well as work to cultivate local, state, regional and federal partnerships," says Dr. Steve Lauer, Associate Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at KUMC.
“Brenda’s existing federally funded research portfolio, her strong commitment to the development of rigorous training programs, and her participation in other federally funded networks, such as the NIH ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network, will all enhance the functioning and the learning experience of the interdisciplinary LEND trainees,” says Dr. Ann Davis, Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences at KUMC.
Dr. Jeanne James, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at KUMC adds “I cannot think of a better leader for the Kansas LEND than Dr. Salley. She brings a wealth of experiences across the clinical, research and educational enterprises. I am excited to see the continued success and ongoing evolution of the Kansas LEND.”
Dr. Salley earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Tech and then completed her clinical internship at Brown University with a specialization in early childhood and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Salley is a former LEND trainee and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kansas Lifespan Institute focused on translational research for intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I am honored and excited to join the LEND program as director. My career has been devoted to working with children with disabilities as a clinician and researcher. I'm fortunate to be a part of this team and I look forward to building on our past successes to further expand the reach of Kansas LEND. As one of 60 LEND programs nationwide, our work here in Kansas is part of a broader, collective effort to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Together, our Kansas LEND faculty, staff, trainees and state and community partners will continue to build on our 60-year history of serving families across Kansas,” says Salley.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Brenda Salley to her new role as Director of the Kansas LEND program. We look forward to the continued growth and innovation she will bring to the LEND community.
