Description: Four smiling women standing in front of a conference poster
A WITH Foundation Grantee Profile
Who: The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG-USA), a group of health professionals committed to promoting the optimal health care and wellness of individuals with DS across the lifespan.
DSMIG-USA believes all individuals with Down syndrome:
- Are worthy of quality health care in age-appropriate medical homes and of living a rich, full life
- Can strive for wellness and are able to be active participants in their health care to the degree at which they can engage in decision making
- Should receive high quality, interdisciplinary care from professionals using the highest standards of professional ethics and objective and evidence-based information.
The vision of DSMIG-USA is a world in which all persons with Down syndrome have access to optimal health care from professionals who have knowledge and expertise regarding the full spectrum of their health and wellness needs, are guided by evidence-based standards of care and have access to current information about state-of-the-art interventions and research results.
“All persons with Down syndrome should be supported to function at their full potential in all aspects of life and participate in their own health and wellness.”
What they do:
DSMIG-USA:
- Educates professionals on the latest research and comprehensive care regarding DS
- Facilitates networking among health professionals caring for individuals with DS
- Supports development of DS clinics
- Identifies and disseminates best practices of care.
Participation in DSMIG-USA fosters professional growth through the dissemination of information about evidence-based practice, and shared common experiences that inform best practices in the care of individuals with Down syndrome.
The Project WITH Supports:
The DSMIG-USA Annual Symposium is a major activity of DSMIG-USA. In the United States, the symposium is a unique forum for health care professionals who care for individuals with Down syndrome to learn about new clinical knowledge and best practice care recommendations from national experts in the field. Attendees include DSMIG-USA members from across the US and also includes international members.
Clinicians attending represent a range of disciplines, with physicians making up more than 50% of attendees. Attendance has been growing over time and DSMIG-USA continues to engage in extensive outreach to invite non-members, including primary care clinicians, with particular emphasis on those working in the region where the conference is being held.
The mission of WITH Foundation is to promote the establishment of comprehensive health care for adults with developmental disabilities.