Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences today opened a new clinic for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, the first clinic of its kind in the state.
The clinic, along with a recently endowed chair in clinical genetics, is supported in part with a gift from Lisenne Rockefeller in honor of her late husband, former Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller. Lisenne Rockefeller has two children with Down syndrome.
“People with Down syndrome have a unique set of medical issues and predispositions for virtually every organ system but are now able to live long, happy and productive lives. This clinic will provide much-needed specialty care for patients with very complex and unmet needs,” said Dr. Kent McKelvey, an associate professor of genetics and family medicine at UAMS and the first recipient of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Chair in Clinical Genetics.
Young patients with Down syndrome will continue to receive care at UAMS’ pediatric affiliate, Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
McKelvey said because of advances in medicine, many pediatric patients have outlived and outgrown the services of Children’s Hospital.
“Until now, Arkansas didn’t have a resource dedicated to specialty care for adult patients. In fact, this is a vast area of need nationwide, and thanks to the Rockefellers, Arkansas is now far ahead of the curve,” he said in a release.
McKelvey said the clinic will be able to devote about an hour and a half to appointments, which is often necessary for patients with Down syndrome but not always possible in a traditional clinic.
