Press Release

CINCINNATI, OH (September 8, 2024) – UC Health proudly announces the expansion of the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities. This groundbreaking initiative is dedicated to enhancing the healthcare experience for adults with developmental disabilities. Scheduled to open in 2025, the newly expanded Center on Victory Parkway will provide a comprehensive range of person-centered, interdisciplinary services. These services are specifically designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of adults aged 18 and older with developmental disabilities.

Since its founding in 2022, the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities has been dedicated to advancing healthcare for a frequently underserved population. Currently serving over 1,200 adults, 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 healthcare professionals and foster community partnerships that promote healthcare 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.

“UC Health is proud to expand the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities,” said Cory Shaw, President and CEO of UC Health. “We're not just expanding services—we're reinforcing our commitment to providing personalized, respectful, and dignified care that meets the unique needs of this underserved community. It's all about making our city healthier and stronger.”

The expansion of the Center has been carefully designed with input from patients, families, caregivers, community leaders, and self-advocates. The facility will be larger, and the layout promotes collaboration among interdisciplinary team members and offers a supportive environment for patients. Key features of the new facility include:

• First-floor parking with improved access to the Center.
• Expanded primary care and behavioral health rooms to enhance capacity.
• Consultation rooms for use by specialty and community partners.
• A community room dedicated to education, collaboration, and other program options.
• A sensory room designed for support and anxiety reduction.
• Accessible Hoyer lifts, adult changing station, and onsite laboratory.

Lauren Wang, MD, Director of the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities at UC Health, emphasized the significance of this expansion: “Our goal is to be a welcoming access point that allows adults with developmental disabilities to receive not only the comprehensive services offered at the Freeman Center but also access to the broader adult health system. The expanded facility will position the Freeman Center as a national leader in developmental medicine and interdisciplinary care models, transforming healthcare for adults with developmental disabilities in our community and beyond.”

The expanded Center represents a significant milestone in providing exceptional care and support for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Beyond primary care, the Center will offer a broad range of services, including:

• Behavioral health and psychiatry
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Nurse care coordination
• Dietary support
• Social work
• Specialty consults with UC Health providers
• Healthcare transition planning

Individuals with developmental disabilities have faced significant health disparities due to several factors, including limited access to high-quality medical care, insufficient training of healthcare providers to address their needs, social determinants of health (such as poverty, race, and gender), and the exclusion of people with developmental disabilities from public health initiatives and preventive measures.

The Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities 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.

For more insights into the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities Freeman Center’s mission and plans please visit: freemancenter.org

Additional quotes from Elected Leaders: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown:
“The work, research, and patient-centered care provided at the University of Cincinnati’s Freeman Center are vital to the well-being and success of so many in the Cincinnati area. It’s why we fought to secure the investment to expand the Freeman Center so even more Ohioans can get the care they need.”

State Representative Rachel Baker (OH-27):
“It was an honor to advocate for UC Health throughout the state’s budget process and see the Freeman Center receive funding. As both a healthcare provider and a state representative, one of my main priorities is to advocate for policies and resources that increase access to quality healthcare for all Ohioans. I do not doubt that the Freeman Center will have an extremely meaningful impact on the Greater Cincinnati region by ensuring specialized care is available to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

State Representative Jean Schmidt (OH-62) :
“I am proud to continually support the Freeman Center and work to provide state funding for its expansion. The Center offers much-needed, complex medical care to Cincinnati and its surrounding communities, and I am happy to see it provide this care to more people.”