Winthrop Supports Down Syndrome Families by Providing First Program in Tri-state Region

Story and pictures courtesy of Winthrop Hospital:

Winthrop has set yet another program in place to cater to the pediatric special needs population. The Winthrop Down Syndrome Program (WDSP) provides compassionate, comprehensive and coordinated care for children with Down syndrome.

Our multidisciplinary team consists of Dr. Moris Angulo, Director of Medical Genetics and Associate Director of Pediatric Endocrinology; Dr. Bill Bryson-Brockmann, Director of Behavioral Pediatrics; Colleen Farley- Cornell and Amy Canterella, Registered Nutritionists; and our Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Danielle Alessio. Dr. Asif Noor, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, serves as the medical coordinator for the program.

The uniqueness of the program is that the patient is able to see these specialists during the initial visit here at the Research and Academic Center of Winthrop University Hospital. The objective of the visit is to identify the age specific needs and address medical issues using a group approach. The team meets pre and post visit regarding each patient and summary of the visit is sent to the patient’s physician. In addition, we coordinate care with other pediatric specialists who use state of the art resources available at Winthrop. A referral and follow up appointment sheet is completed for the patient’s family to make certain the patient receives the recommended services as per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines. Following the assessment visit, the program coordinator, Lori Benzoni, works with the family to set up recommended follow up visits with Winthrop specialists.

Currently, families and pediatricians rely on programs in Boston and Baltimore for Down syndrome patients. Now WDSP provides a valuable resource for patients residing in the tri-state area which alleviates the additional stressors of traveling far distances for multiple medical appointments with a child with Down syndrome.

With our excellent team of pediatric specialists, we vow to serve all children diagnosed with Down syndrome while providing excellent care, education and clinical research enabling them to have a healthier future as well as reach their full potential.

For more information about our WDSP program or our other Pediatric special needs program, the STAR program, please call Lori Benzoni at 516-663-2112 or email Lbenzoni@winthrop.org . Our goals for the future are to expand this program to the adult population as well. Thank you.

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