Schmieding Foundation gives $651,000 to UAMS pediatric program

Schmieding Developmental Center in Lowell, a pediatric program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), will use a three-year, $651,000 grant from the Schmieding Foundation to expand programs and support operations. On Tuesday (Aug. 7), UAMS announced the grant for the center that provides developmental assessment and care for children from birth through 18 years old.

The Schmieding Foundation is an independent foundation in Springdale and has supported the center since it was established in 1993 after giving the initial endowment to create it.

“The Schmieding Foundation is deeply committed to supporting the talented professionals who are uniquely qualified to assess healthcare and behavioral needs of Northwest Arkansas’ children,” said Gilda Underwood, Schmieding Foundation president. “We are pleased that Dr. Mary Ann Scott and her term are here and provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment recommendations so their families know how to help their child grow under challenging conditions.”

Goals of the center, which is a part of the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, are to help children overcome developmental diagnoses and to succeed in school, life and in their family and in relationships. Assessments address conditions including epilepsy, autism, anxiety disorders, ADHD, concussions, neurological conditions and pediatric cancer.

“The gift from the Schmieding Foundation will allow us to enhance our recruitment effort, and I thank them for their commitment to our educational initiatives in Northwest Arkansas,” said Mary Ann Scott, section chief for the Schmieding Developmental Center and professor in the Department of Pediatrics. “Education is vital to the future growth of the center and clinical fellowships provide the best opportunity to train future faculty members. We are deeply grateful to the Schmieding Foundation for their support.”

The center sees about 350 newly diagnosed patients annually. Center staff include a psychiatrist, two neuropsychologists, psychologist, psychological examiner, social worker and speech pathologist.

“We deeply appreciate the generosity of the Schmieding Foundation and their commitment to improving the health of children in Arkansas with developmental disabilities,” said Frederick ‘Rick’ Barr, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and associate dean for child health in the UAMS College of Medicine. “This new grant will help the Schmieding Developmental Center at UAMS recruit and retrain top faculty to deliver expert care to kids with developmental challenges. It is a great ongoing partnership that will benefit kids.”