International
Adoption Medical Professionals
International
adoption specialties are relatively new in pediatrics, but are
certainly increasing. Many of the physicians listed below have
traveled extensively in the countries which place children for
adoption; many are adoptive parents themselves, and they have excellent
written materials regarding common medical issues involved in
intercountry adoption. They are generally available for pre-adoption
and post-adoption consultations. Many clinics and doctors will review
videos and medical records of children. Parents can consult with these
doctors via phone, fax, and e-mail, sometimes at no charge.
The list below
includes member of JCICS and physicians who have contributed to JCICS
conferences. This list is not all-inclusive;
we suggest that families contact their agency or parent support group
to see if there is a clinic or international adoption specialist in
their geographical area, if you can’t find one here. We will inevitably have overlooked
some fine resources. Joint Council would appreciate hearing about any
international adoption clinics or specialists who should be included
on this list in the future.
** If both the doctor
and the Clinic/ Hospital are bold, they are members of JCICS
Lisa Albers, MD, MPH,
FAAP
Children’s
Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Adoption Program
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-277-5933
Fax: 617-730-5933
E-mail:
Lisa.albers@tch.harvard.edu
Jane
Aronson, D.O.
International
Pediatric Health Services, PLLC
151 East 62nd Street, Suite 1A
New York, New York 10021
Phone: 212-207-6666
Fax: 212-207-6665
E-Mail: orphandoctor@aol.com
Web Site:
http://www.orphandoctor.com
International
Pediatric Health Services, PLLC provides medical guidance for families
adopting from abroad from the very beginning of the process. Written
materials are available. Dr. Aronson reviews medical abstracts and
videos of Russian and Eastern European children, and does pre-adoption
consultations in the office as well as by phone/fax/e-mail.
Travel kits and
travel preparation can be provided by Dr. Aronson’s office. The travel
preparation class is actually a child care class to help parents with
basic health issues of young children: teething, ear infections,
feeding practices, and behavioral issues are just some of the topics
covered. Special attention is given to the transition behavior of
children recently adopted from orphanages. Dr. Aronson is available for
consultation with families who have medical questions while they are
abroad, and provides complete medical and developmental services in New
York after the child’s arrival.
Julia M. Bledsoe,
M.D.
Cyndi
Musar, MD
The Center for
Adoption Medicine
University of Washington Pediatric Care Center
4245 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: 206-598-3006
Fax: 206-598-3040
Email:
cmusar@washington.edu
jbledsoe@u.washington.edu
Dr. Bledsoe is a
general pediatrician in Seattle whose practice includes more than 50%
adoptees, primarily from overseas. Dr. Bledsoe provides ongoing
pediatric care as well as pre-adoptive consultation and overseas on-call
support to families who reside both locally and afar. Her pre-adoptive
consultations are performed by telephone, usually in the evenings and on
weekends. In addition, Dr. Bledsoe is employed at the University of
Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic, working in diagnosis of FAS.
Deborah Borchers,
M.D., F.A.A.P.
Eastgate Pediatric
Center
4357 Ferguson Drive, Suite 150
Cincinnati, OH 45245
Phone: 513-753-2820
Fax: 513-753-2824
Dr. Borchers is a
pediatrician in private practice with a strong interest personally in
adoption as the mother of two daughters adopted from China. She is a
local resource in the Cincinnati area for adoption information and
networking. Dr. Borchers can review videotapes and other medical
materials before placement, and can provide medical and developmental
assessments after a child’s arrival. She can make referrals for families
to specialists, and can provide ongoing follow-up care for children in
her geographical area.
James H. Conway, M.D.
Center for
International Adoption and Geographic Medicine
Riley Hospital for Children, University of Indiana
702 Barnhill Drive – 1740X
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-274-7260
Fax: 317-278-0860
www.rileyhospital.org
The Section of
Pediatric Infectious Disease at Riley Hospital created an International
Adoption Clinic in 1999. The clinic is staffed by physicians trained in
Pediatric Infectious Disease, Geographic Medicine and General Diagnostic
Pediatrics. Referrals can be made before planned adoptions;
pre-adoptive sessions and review of medical information provides
important educational information for parents prior to arrival. After
adoption, children undergo a comprehensive evaluation with special
emphasis on issues related to infections, immunization, nutrition, birth
defects, and psychosocial development. Nutritionists, physical
therapists, developmental pediatric experts, and the world-class
pediatric subspecialists at Riley Hospital are available as needed to
assist in the evaluation and management of adopted children.
Jennifer Chambers,
M.D.
University of Alabama International Adoption Clinic
MTC 201, 1600 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233-1711
Phone: (205) 939-6974
email: adoption@peds.uab.edu
Nancy Curtis, MD
Director,
International Adoption Clinic
Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland
International Adoption Clinic
Located in the Outpatient Center,
Infectious Diseases Department
747 52nd Street
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: 510-428-3010
Dr.
Curtis, along with colleagues Teresa Courville, RN, MN , Carina
Grandison, PhD and others, recently started the International Adoption
Clinic at the Children's Hospital and Research Center at Oakland. They
provide comprehensive services including pre-adoption counseling and
evaluation of medical records, preparation for travel, consultation
during travel to the country of adoption, and post-adoption medical and
developmental evaluations and referrals. There is a broad range of
pediatric specialist practicing at Oakland to assist families in
Genetics, Psychiatry, Child Development, Audiology, Speech and Language,
and many other specialties.
Gail Farber, MD
Susan Friedman, MD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
International Adoption Health Program
3405 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399
Phone: (215) 590-4020
Fax: (215) 590-3198
Email:
chopadopt@email.chop.edu
The International Adoption Health
Program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia supports families
throughout the adoption process. They review the medical and
developmental issues of referred children, and provide ongoing support
during the adoption process, including evaluation of updated information
about children waiting to come home, pre-travel consultation/ education
services and support and consultation while abroad. Regional families
have the opportunity to have their child(ren) evaluated in the program's
Clinic after arrival, and at appropriate intervals thereafter, as
needed. Staffed with pediatricians and occupational therapists
specializing in the care of internationally adopted children, the
International Adoption Health Program's assessment addresses the
child(ren)'s medical and developmental needs, and coordinates their care
with their pediatrician and available community resources. In addition,
the program's mission includes education and research. They provide
parent education seminars and are currently collaborating with the
University of Delaware on a study evaluating developmental needs of
recently adopted children and parent support. Families working
with the program are also supported in accessing specialty services at
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, including but not limited to:
cardiology, gastroenterology, psychology and psychiatry,
physical/occupational/ and speech language therapy, audiology, genetics,
and developmental pediatrics.
Gary Feldman, MD
Stramski International Adoption Program
Miller Children's Hospital
2880 Atlantic Ave., Suite 255
Long Beach, CA 90806
Phone: 562-424-4748
Fax: 562-424-4688
Email:
gfeldman@memorialcare.org
In response to the
increasing needs of international adoptees as a growing population of
children, the Stramski International Adoption Program (SIAP) has been
established at the Stramski Center of Miller Children’s Hospital to
provide support for these children, their families and their primary
care physicians.
The program provides pre-adoptive consultations which include one-on-one
session with families and SIAP physicians prior to travel. This session
provides families with appropriate knowledge tools to evaluate
prospective children and provides information regarding medical,
developmental and behavioral risks common to IA children. SIAP
also provides in-country consultation to families while they are
overseas. Families are responsible for contacting the SIAP via phone or
email with information they wish to have reviewed. The Hospital
also provides post-adoption assessments with a detailed evaluation of IA
children in the immediate post-adoptive period. This is ideally
completed with 1-2 weeks after arrival. This visit focuses on several
components including physical exam, laboratory testing, behavior and
developmental assessments. Appropriate education and referrals for
interventions are provided. All children will be scheduled for a
3-month and 6-month follow-up from the time of initial visit. This is
to ensure optimal developmental and behavioral surveillance for this at
risk population. This strategy allows timely interventions to be made.
Meg Hayes, M.D. - Medical Director/Adoption Medicine Specialist
Mary Masterson, MPH, MPA - Program Manager
Adoption Health Services
OHSU Family Medicine
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239-3098
Phone: 503-494-5445
Fax: 503-494-3396
Email: adoption@ohsu.edu
Web: http://www.ohsu.edu/adoption
The Adoption Health Services program at Oregon Health & Science
University in Portland, Oregon provides a range of family-oriented
services for adoptive families who are adopting internationally or
domestically. These services include pre-adoption medical consultations,
adoption physical exams, travel couseling and preparation, in-country
adoption trip support and post-arrival evaluation and care.
Margaret Hostetter,
M.D.
Professor of
Pediatrics
Director, Yale International Adoption Clinic
464 Congress Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519
Phone: 203-737-1623
Fax: 203-737-5972
Dr. Hostetter,
together with colleagues Dr. Dana Johnson (see listing), Sandra Iverson,
and Kay Dole, pioneered the concept of specialized medical evaluations
for internationally adopted children at the University of Minnesota in
1986. Dr. Hostetter has personally examined more than 1,500 adoptees and
brought the “Minnesota model” to Yale in July of 1998. Evaluations
include history and physical exam by a nurse practitioner, full
developmental exam by a developmental pediatrician, and complete medical
testing by Dr. Hostetter or her colleague, Dr. Michael Capello.
Jerri Ann Jenista,
M.D.
551 Second St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: 734-668-0419
Fax: 734-668-9492
In terms of
pre-adoption services, Dr. Jenista can review any country’s medical
records and/or videos. She provides post-adoption medical consultation
for parents, schools, and health care providers. She has extensive
written educational materials for physicians, parents, and agencies. She
provides primary care for adopted children with more complex medical
issues (not normal well-child care). She provides workshops and seminars
for all parties involved in adoption.
Dana Johnson, M.D.,
Ph.D.
Co-Director,
University of Minnesota
International Adoption Clinic
MMC211
420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0378
Phone: 612-626-2928
Fax: 612-624-8176
E-mail:
johns008@umn.edu
Dr. Johnson, along
with Sandra Iverson, CPNP, is Co-Director of the University of
Minnesota’s International Adoption Clinic. With Dr. Margaret Hostetter,
Sandra Iverson, and Kay Dole, Dr. Johnson pioneered the concept of
medical evaluations for internationally adopted children at the
University of Minnesota in 1986.
The International
Adoption Clinic can provide the following services: pre-adoption
evaluation and interpretation of referral medical information and
videotapes; post-arrival medical and developmental assessments;
post-placement assistance in developmental, behavioral, and school
issues; free literature on a wide variety of adoption/medical issues;
opportunities to participate in ongoing research on the effects of early
childhood institutionalization.
Scott Krupkin, MD
University Hospitals Health System
Richmond Heights Hospital
27155 Chardon Rd., Suite 203
Cleveland, OH 44143
Ph: 216-798-6194
Fax: 440-944-2697
rehabdoc@aol.com
www.adoptionhealth.com
Paul Lee, M.D.
Winthrop University
Hospital International Adoption Program
120 Mineola Blvd, Suite 210
Mineola, New York 11501
Phone: 516-663-4570
Fax: 516-663-3793
www.winthrop.org
The International
Adoption Program at Winthrop University Hospital can provide medical
reviews of any health information including videotapes and pictures.
The offer a travel preparatory consultation for families to provide
simple management guidelines for common medical problems encountered and
basic childcare needs. Once the child arrives in the U.S., Dr. Lee
performs a comprehensive medical evaluation including a complete
physical examination, developmental assessment and laboratory testing.
Immunizations to bring the child up to date are also available.
Anna M.
Mandalakas, M.D., M.S.
Karen Olness, M.D.
Adoption Health
Service
Rainbow Center for International Child Health
11100 Euclid Avenue, MS 6038
Cleveland, OH 44106-6038
Phone: 216-844-3224
Fax: 216-844-7601
Email:
RCIC@po.cwru.edu
Website:
http://www.adoptionhealthservices.org
The Rainbow Center
pre-adoption consultation includes a lengthy meeting with a staff
physician to review both medical record information and concerns about
post-institutionalized children. The post-adoption assessment includes
infectious disease screening, developmental assessment, and in some
cases, various specialty referrals. Follow-up visits are scheduled, and
all information is passed on to the child’s primary care physician. A
developmental and behavioral consult is also available, which can help
identify behaviors and developmental delays that could be missed,
misunderstood, or inappropriately diagnosed, in cases of children from
institutions. The consult can help sort out concerns, develop a plan,
and make appropriate referrals. The Rainbow Center also offers a Child
Traveler Health Service, pediatric expertise for families and children
traveling overseas.
Laurie Miller, M.D.
Kathleen Comfort, PT, MHA
International
Adoption Clinic and Floating Hospital for Children
New England Medical Center Box 286
750 Washington St., 2nd floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-636-8121
Fax: 617-636-8388
http://www.nemc.org.adoption
At the International
Adoption Clinic, children and their families receive individualized
attention and a comprehensive evaluation. Pre-adoption consultation and
review of medical records/ photos/videos is available. Evaluation after
arrival includes medical, developmental, and nutritional issues as well
as screening tests. The clinic provides evaluation and treatment of
children with behavior, learning, or neurological problems. Long-term
coordinated and comprehensive care for children with special needs,
including school consultations, is also available.
Lisa Nalven, M.D.
Valley Health Center
for Child Development and Wellness
505 Goffell Rd.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: 201-447-8151
Fax: 201-447-8526
Dr. Nalven can
provide pre-placement consultations and medical record/video reviews.
She can provide medical/developmental evaluations of internationally
adopted children upon arrival in the U.S, and consultation for children
with ongoing developmental/behavioral concerns. She can provide case
management and referral to appropriate specialty therapists, including
physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language evaluations,
which are available at the Center. Audiologic evaluations are also
available. She gives talks on adoption/post-institutionalization issues
to local groups.
Todd Ochs, M.D.
4713 N. Winchester
Chicago, IL 60640
Ph: 773-907-8864
Fax: 773-878-6867
e-mail: t-ochs@northwestern.edu
Dr. Ochs can evaluate
and interpret referral medical information and videotapes prior to
adoption, and can provide post-arrival medical and developmental
assessments. He can provide post-placement assistance in developmental,
behavioral, and school issues, plus free literature on a wide variety of
adoption/medical issues. Dr. Ochs is the adoptive father of a child with
special needs from China.
Alice Rothman, M.D.,
M.P.H.
Vanderbilt Children’s
Hospital Clinic for International Adoption
5028 Medical Center East
Nashville, TN 37232
Phone: 615-936-6800
Fax: 615-936-2419
E-mail:
international-adoption@vanderbilt.edu
The Clinic for
International Adoption at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital was established
to provide a resource for internationally adopted children, their
families and their primary care providers in Tennessee. The clinic is
staffed by general pediatricians and a developmental psychologist and
provides a medical and psychological consultation service for
internationally adopted children. The clinic staff is able to provide
pre-adoption review of medical records and travel advice. The clinic
performs post-adoption medical, developmental and behavioral evaluations
and works with the family and the primary care physician to provide
follow up as needed.
Sarah Springer, M.D.
Department of
Pediatrics
Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh
1515 Locust St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-575-5805
Fax: 412-232-7389
Dr. Springer can
provide pre-placement consultations, including medical record and video
reviews of internationally adopted children. Upon the child’s arrival,
the medical and developmental evaluations include the following:
medical/developmental screening; immunizations and medical treatments;
ongoing medical care and developmental monitoring for geographically
close families; case management/referral to appropriate specialty
therapists (i.e., speech, occupational, physical). Dr. Springer also
gives talks on adoption/post-institutionalization issues to local
groups. She does not provide ongoing counseling or psychotherapy, but
can provide referrals.
Mary Staat, M.D.,
M.P.H.
International
Adoption Center
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue, mail location 7036
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
Phone: 513-636-2877
Fax: 513-636-6936
www.cincinnatichildrens.org/iac
The International
Adoption Center located at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in
Cincinnati is designed to offer four coordinated services for
internationally adopted children – pre-adoption consultation,
post-adoption evaluation, community outreach and research. Dr. Staat
can evaluate videotapes and medical histories of potential adoptees;
assist the family in preparing for the trip abroad; and include
information on immunizations, medical supplies and disease prevention.
The Center has a collaborative relationship with Occupational Therapy
and the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders as well. As part
of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary center, the International Adoption
Center can readily call on experts in gastroenterology, neurology,
genetics, psychology, cardiology and physical therapy and other
specialties as needed.
Carol Weitzman, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
464 Congress Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519
Phone: (203)737 1623
Centers for
Disease Control
For information on shots before travel and emerging medical concerns for
any given country
www.cdc.gov/travel/
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