Down syndrome

Elise McMillan, JD
June 21, 2023

Elise McMillan to retire as Vanderbilt Kennedy Center UCEDD director

Elise McMillan, JD, has announced she will retire from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center this month.

By VUMC News and Communications
January 5, 2022

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to host Jan. 25 workshop on Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease

By VUMC News and Communications
The Eitl family poses with the plaque the family donated to thank the transplant team for taking care of Joe Eitl, who received a heart and liver transplant last year.
December 15, 2021

Down syndrome patient celebrates anniversary of novel transplant

Vanderbilt patient Joe Eitl was among the first patients in the country with Down syndrome to undergo a heart and liver transplant.

By Matt Batcheldor
A window display in Medical Center East is helping educate clinicians about alternative communication methods for patients who have difficulty communicating.
October 21, 2021

Initiative helps patients with communication disorders

Vanderbilt’s Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences is working to educate clinicians about augmentative and alternative communication methods for patients with communication disorders.

By Emily Stembridge
September 30, 2021

Project seeks to treat Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome

A joint project between the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine will help deliver Alzheimer’s disease therapies and treatments to people with Down syndrome (DS). 

By Emily Stembridge
October 25, 2018

Grant to help explore critical issues in Down syndrome

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) has received a one-year $604,000 grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to use Vanderbilt University Medical Center electronic medical record information and biological samples to develop a deeper understanding of critical issues in Down syndrome and to provide an infrastructure for future analyses.

By VUMC News and Communications
March 4, 2016

Next Steps students celebrate courage and dreams

The students of Next Steps at Vanderbilt are this year’s recipient of the Perry Wallace Courage Award.
By VUMC News and Communications
November 20, 2014

Down Syndrome group honors McMillan

Elise McMillan, J.D., received the Mollie Burd Gavigan Service Award from the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee (DSAMT) in recognition of McMillan’s “instrumental role in improving the lives of individuals with Down syndrome in Middle Tennessee.” The award was presented recently at the annual DSAMT Buddy Race.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 25, 2013

Graduate of Next Steps program receives 2013 Self-Advocate Award

The Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee has honored Will McMillan, a 2013 graduate of Next Steps at Vanderbilt, with the 2013 Self-Advocate Award.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 30, 2013

Team William raises funds

Inspired by William Spickard, Peabody alumna Andrea McDermott Sanders, M.Ed., founded “Team William” in 2005 to support scholarships for children with Down syndrome to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Reading Clinic.
By VUMC News and Communications
April 14, 2011

Researchers discuss ethical considerations of ‘curing’ disabilities

Vanderbilt researchers from the Department of Pediatrics, Peabody College and the Divinity School joined with parent advocates for a panel discussion on the ethical considerations of "curing" disabilities.
By VUMC News and Communications