The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) recently recognized three individuals from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) for their service in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Elise McMillan, J.D., co-director of VKC’s University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, director of Community Outreach and senior associate in Psychiatry, received the AAIDD Service Award. McMillan was recognized for helping expand opportunities and improve disability service systems at the community, state and national levels, especially in the areas of transition, postsecondary education and employment.
Jan Rosemergy, Ph.D., VKC deputy director and director of Communications and Dissemination, received the AAIDD Education Award for significant contributions to dissemination of knowledge in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rosemergy was honored for her 35-year career dedicated to the transfer of knowledge generated by disability research into practice where it can be used by families and professionals.
Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics and Special Education and VKC investigator, received the AAIDD Early Career Award, which recognizes contribution or achievement in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities by an individual in the early stages of his/her career. Taylor’s research focuses on inclusion and transition among young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
These awards were presented at the 138th Annual AAIDD Meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 23-26.
— by Elizabeth Turner
