Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program

One of the most alarming realizations of the past year has been the clear link between structural racism in the U.S. and the racial and ethnic health disparities that have led to a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. Thanks to the collaboration of numerous partners in Vermont, members of the New American community are getting the education they need to make informed decisions about their health and the COVID-19 vaccine.

(DECEMBER 7, 2020) Mercedes Avila, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics and director of the Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT LEND) Program, discussed vaccine distribution among underserved communities in a story on local CBS affiliate WCAX-TV.

(JUNE 9 & 11, 2020) Maria Mercedes Avila, Ph.D., M.S.W., program director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program, associate professor of pediatrics, and health equity and inclusive excellence liaison, was featured in local news stories on COVID-19 and racial disparities in health on Vermont Public Radio and NBC5.

It’s tough enough for any family of a child with special needs to navigate the reams of paperwork required for services or understand the medical jargon related to the child’s disability.

Maria Mercedes Avila, M.Ed., Ph.D., program co-director of Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT LEND) and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont, received the 2016 Local Hero Award from the Child Mind Institute. The awards event took place May 10 in New York City.