Center houses acclaimed clinical and education programs for children, families and future teachers

DEARBORN, Mich., April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Oakwood Healthcare System's Center for Exceptional Families (CEF) and the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) celebrated the grand opening of their new shared facility with a fun night of activities facilitated by the Radio Disney AM 910 Road Crew. Mike Galante, AM Radio Disney Local Personality and Mickey Mouse presented a $2500 check to Susan Youngs, MD, medical director, Center for Exceptional Families. This very generous gift was provided with funds from Disney Worldwide Outreach. A variety of games and craft activities were lead by Disney VoluntEARS who are employees from local Disney stores. Tours of the facility allowed participants to explore the environment, which allows for a comprehensive collaboration of medical and educational programs to provide enhanced services for children, their families and practical training for future educators.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090417/DC00995)

Oakwood's Center for Exceptional Families, which provides numerous services and oversees the care of children with multiple disabilities and their families. "It is our mission that children with various disabilities be unconditionally embraced through the state-of-the-art medical, rehabilitative, educational, vocational, psychosocial and recreational programs," said Dr. Youngs. "The uniqueness of this program lies in our conviction that we must support and empower the whole family."

UM-Dearborn's ECEC which serves preschool and kindergarten children and university students in teacher preparation programs and the Oakwood CFEF, have now reached yet another milestone in their three-year collaboration. Oakwood purchased the former UAW/Ford Dearborn West Family Service and Learning Center, a 38,000-square-foot building located on Rotunda near Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn, in 2007. The transformation of that vacant Dearborn building into a state-of-the-art learning center allows for these acclaimed clinical and educational programs for kids, families and future teachers to thrive in a more inclusive, collaborative environment. Oakwood and UM-Dearborn entered into a collaboration agreement in December 2006, which focused on building a comprehensive, long-term relationship to support each other's missions for education, clinical care, research and service to the community.

The facility also houses Oakwood's Clinical Learning Center, designed to enhance the skills and preparation of front-line caregivers throughout the Oakwood System.

Oakwood Healthcare System (OHS) is one of the most comprehensive health care delivery systems in southeastern Michigan. Oakwood serves residents over a 500-square-mile area and operates four acute care hospitals, several health centers and a vast number of specialty services, including four centers of excellence. More than 1,300 physicians, representing nearly every medical, surgical specialty and subspecialty, are affiliated with OHS. The organization serves more than 1.2 million people in 29 communities. In addition, numerous outpatient facilities and healthcare centers are dedicated to fulfilling patient needs across several communities. For more information on Oakwood Healthcare System hospitals, healthcare center locations, physician referrals and appointment scheduling, visit on line at www.oakwood.org or call 800.543.WELL.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a comprehensive university with more than 8,700 students and 500 faculty members offering undergraduate and professional degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, management, education and public administration.

SOURCE Oakwood Healthcare System

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