Dr. Contompasis (VT-LEND) Receives Partners in Care Award

February 20, 2008

University of Vermont (UVM) Associate Professor of Pediatrics Stephen Contompasis, MD, received a Partners in Care Award from Parent to Parent of Vermont and the Vermont Parent Information Center at the 2007 Partners in Care Conference at the Sheraton Burlington on December 6, 2007.

The Partners in Care Award was established in 1995 to honor those who exemplify and promote the ideals of family-centered care. Family-centered care redefines the roles of families, health care professionals, educators, and communities in providing for individuals with special needs. It places the family and the individual at the core of care provision, and promotes an atmosphere of respect, support, collaboration and, empowerment.

Contompasis, a developmental pediatrician and director of the Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health Providers program, a LEND, at UVM, was recognized for his commitment to both practicing and teaching family-centered care, as well as for his understanding that change in medical and public policy systems is required to fully realize family-centered ideals.

One of the individuals who nominated Contompasis for the award stated "[Dr. Contompasis] is very unique as a physician -- and a gift to the disability community -- in that he constantly strives for and invests tremendous personal energy in envisioning and championing systematic changes to improve outcomes for children and families."

A total of six Partners in Care Awards in four categories were presented at the meeting. Congratulations Dr. Contompasis!