Education/Training

Medical Education

IDD Longitudinal Curricular Thread

Dr Wang created the first IDD focused longitudinal curriculum for medical students at the University of Cincinnati in 2020. This curriculum is present in multiple courses and spans multiple years of medical school. The curriculum covers topics such as communication, transitions of care, access to care, guardianship and alternatives to guardianship, and patient-centered care. Course directors and advisors are dedicated to involving and empowering self-advocates to be the primary educators.

Primary Care for Adults with DD

This is a 2- or 4-week elective available to 4th year medical students wanting to increase their competency and comfort working with adults with IDD. They will rotate with our primary care providers, psychiatrists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation provider. They will also become familiar with interdisciplinary teams.  

IDD Medical Student Interest Group

Staff from the Freeman Center serve as advisors and mentors to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s IDD Medical Student Interest Group.

Visiting Medical Students

We do accept a limited number of visiting students per year. Interested students from outside institutions should apply through VSLO.

Resident Education

IDD Longitudinal Primary Care Experience

This is an ongoing continuity of care rotation available to family medicine, family medicine/psychiatry, internal medicine, and internal medicine/pediatrics residents. Residents will see patients in the Freeman Center throughout their three years of residency.

Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry

This is a longitudinal experience available to fourth year psychiatry residents interested in caring for adults with DD. Residents spend time seeing patients at the Freeman Center and other locations working to expand knowledge in diagnostic interviewing and treatment planning for individuals with DD.

Primary Care for Adults with DD

This is a 2- or 4-week elective available to residents from various disciplines wanting to increase their competency and comfort working with adults with DD. They will rotate with our primary care providers, psychiatrists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation provider. They will also become familiar with interdisciplinary teams.

Please email freemancenter@uchealth.com for more information on how to participate.

Developmental Medicine Fellowship

The Developmental Medicine Fellowship in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Cincinnati trains physicians with expertise in the care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  With specialized experience in clinical care, advocacy, and research, fellowship graduates will be poised to be future leaders in developmental medicine in academic and/or community settings. Upon completion of the fellowship, the fellow will receive certification from the American Board of Developmental Medicine. 
 
Fellows will be responsible for providing primary care to adults with DD at the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for DD at UC Health at least 5 half days per week. Fellows will also rotate with interdisciplinary team members including but not limited to psychiatry, PM&R, behavior supports, nutrition, and mental health counseling. Fellows will participate in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage in medical student and resident education and research. 
 
The fellowship is one-year and can accommodate one fellow per year. Applicants must be board-certified or board-eligible in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or double-boarded in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics or Family Medicine/Psychiatry. They must be licensed to practice in the State of Ohio at least three months prior to the start date. For more information about the fellowship and how to apply, please contact Program Director Lauren Wang, MD at lauren.wang@uchealth.com.