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Nienke Dosa has been named as the inaugural Upstate Foundation Professor of Child Health Policy at Upstate Medical University/Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and a senior fellow at the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.

The announcement was made by Thomas Welch, Upstate professor and chair of the department of pediatrics and medical director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, and Peter Blanck, chairman of BBI, who holds the rank of University Professor at SU.

Nienke Dosa outside Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Dosa is a nationally recognized specialist in child development, whose focus is in the area of community organization for the care and transition of children with developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Dosa has been a member of the Upstate faculty since 2002, and has served as associate professor of pediatrics since 2008. She earned her undergraduate degree from Yale University, and obtained an M.D. from Upstate and an M.P.H. from the University of Rochester. She received additional training in pediatrics and developmental disabilities from both institutions.

In her new position, Dosa will further her research in the organization of health care services to children and young adults with developmental disabilities and in the development of inclusive fitness programs for these individuals. Dosa is a widely sought-after speaker internationally on such issues. Additionally, Dosa will continue as the medical director of the spina bifida clinic at the children’s hospital, caring for these children and for those with cerebral palsy.

“Dr. Dosa is widely appreciated as a caring and compassionate advocate for persons with disabilities,” Welch says. “We believe that this new position, and the support which comes with it, will enable her to impact individuals well beyond our region.”

The Upstate Foundation Professor of Child Health Policy at Upstate Medical University/Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital was established through contributions to the capital campaign for the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

“The capital campaign not only helped us build a world-class facility to care for our region’s children, it has also enabled us to elevate and support the ground-breaking research faculty, such as Dr. Dosa, do to benefit children far beyond our campus,” says Eileen Pezzi, Upstate’s vice president for development.

Dosa’s appointment to BBI is the beginning of what officials expect will be a long and fruitful partnership with the children’s hospital.  “Our program has had a long and well-recognized focus on the policy and legal issues impacting individuals with disabilities,” says Blanck. “Having Dr. Dosa join us will provide the expertise of a talented clinician and public health expert to complement our diverse team.”

Dosa’s appointments became effective Sept. 1.