CINCINNATI— A visionary $1.6 million gift from the Ronald and Florence Koetters Family Foundation will dramatically impact patients at the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities at UC Health.
This donation will establish the Koetters Family Nursing Program, directly addressing health care disparities in the community by providing home visits for adults with developmental disabilities. The Freeman Center provides person-centered, coordinated, interdisciplinary health care for adults with developmental disabilities while training physicians and supporting research related to caring for a frequently underserved population.
A need in the community
Around 1,200 adults receive care at the Freeman Center each year; this number represents only 5% of adults with developmental disabilities in Hamilton County. The ability to expand home nursing visits, thanks to the Koetters Family Nursing Program, will make a profound impact. Transportation difficulties, anxiety and behavioral issues exacerbated by multiple visits to service providers often make home care ideal.
Currently, there is a 20-year disparity in life expectancy between adults with developmental disabilities and the general population. Some of this is due to the use of emergency rooms and inpatient hospitalizations, where caregivers are not trained to address specific needs, leading to lower satisfaction of care, lower quality care and worse outcomes.
“I’m profoundly grateful for the tangible difference this gift from the Koetters will make in the lives of our patients and their families,” said Lauren Wang, MD, director of the Freeman Center at UC Health. “Nurses will offer real-time support where it matters most — in a person’s home. This nursing program supports adults with developmental disabilities living in the community and breaks down barriers to accessing health care. This will be a real game changer.”
A personal connection
Florence Koetters has long been an advocate and passionate supporter of adults aged 18 and older with developmental disabilities. Her daughter, Gretchen Koetters, has Down syndrome and has had a successful career at Cincinnati Children’s for more than 20 years.
“My family’s experience with the Freeman Center has been positive and affirming,” said Florence Koetters. “It provides patients with the care every individual deserves. I’m pleased to support its work and our community.”
The Koetters Nursing Program
The Koetters Nursing Program will support the following:
- Visiting nurses will check on acute or ongoing medical issues and serve as a liaison between community residences and the Freeman Center.
- Patients and caregivers will receive education, training and support in their home environments such as dietary guidance and meal planning, assistance with medication administration and health coaching.
- Patients will receive assistance with obtaining medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, tube feeding supplies, home oxygen, etc., allowing people to thrive in the community.
- Nurses will serve as liaisons between the Freeman Center and the inpatient setting when patients require hospitalization. They will provide behavior support at bedside, assist with communication during admission and ensure hospital follow-up is arranged upon discharge.
- Nurses will assist patients in need of transportation, waivers, housing and employment through connection to community resources.
- Nurses will triage phone calls and messages at the Freeman Center to ensure patients’ concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
About the Freeman Center
The Freeman Center serves individuals with a variety of developmental disabilities, including but not limited to Angelman syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, spina bifida, Williams syndrome and other rare genetic conditions. The Center’s name honors Timothy Freeman, MD, long-time UC Health physician and assistant professor in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine. Freeman dedicated his life’s work to caring for patients with developmental disabilities.
In September 2024, UC Health announced the expansion of the Freeman Center at a Victory Parkway location. The expansion will allow the Center to reach even more patients, reinforcing its mission to not only deliver top-tier medical care but also to educate health care professionals and foster community partnerships that promote health care equity and accessibility. With $3 million in state funding and an additional $3 million in federal funding, the Center has received strong governmental support to continue its mission for the Cincinnati community.