Karen Edwards, MD, MPH, to Lead at Westchester Institute for Human Development
June 17, 2013
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The Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) is pleased to announce Dr. Karen Edwards, MD, MPH has accepted a position as the WIHD Vice President for Education, Training and Research. In this role, Dr. Edwards will also serve as the Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), an interdisciplinary fellowship program administered in partnership with WIHD's primary academic partner, New York Medical College (NYMC). Dr. Edwards' start date is July 1, 2013.
Dr. Edwards will lead WIHD's scholarly engagement with academic, community, and other governmental partners to promote healthy, inclusive, and self-determined lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through education, training, and research. She will be responsible for promoting and developing opportunities for pre-service training, continuing education, research and evaluation; and will collaborate with NYMC, other affiliated universities, and organizations in the areas of program development, policy and advocacy. Dr. Edwards will hold a faculty appointment in the NYMC School of Health Sciences and Practice, and in the NYMC Department of Pediatrics.
Dr. Edwards is well known to WIHD and NYMC. She served as the LEND Director at WIHD (2002-2010); the Associate Dean for Primary Care at New York Medical College (2002-2007); held various leadership positions with the NYMC Pediatric Residency Program at the Westchester Medical Center (1990-2002); and was an attending pediatrician at Westchester Medical Center (1998-2006). In 2010, Dr. Edwards moved to the University of Cincinnati Children's Hospital where she served as the LEND Director and the Director of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Dr. Edwards is a member of the Board of Directors and serves as the Secretary of the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD).
"Our entire community is thrilled to welcome Dr. Edwards back to New York and we are looking forward to her leadership in the academic mission of WIHD," says Dr. Ansley Bacon, President and CEO of WIHD.
About Westchester Institute for Human Development
The Westchester Institute for Human Development is one of 67 university affiliated centers dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through education, service, and research. The Institute works to advance policies and practices that ensure the health and self-determination among people of all ages with disabilities, and the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.
For 40 years, WIHD has been a key regional resource 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 dental and adult medical care programs, education and support services.
WIHD's efforts are guided by a vision in which people living with disabilities and vulnerable children fully participate in society, live healthy and productive lives, and have access to services and supports, emerging technologies, competent professionals and caring families.
