Global Down Syndrome Educational Series Featured Speakers:
William I. Cohen

Focuses on sharing success strategies for the differently-abled

William I. Cohen, MD, Former Director, Down Syndrome Center of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, March 2006

William I. Cohen, MD, was a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. He was the Director of the Down Syndrome Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for 19 years, during which time he co-founded and co-chaired the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group. The group helped to define health guidelines for children with Down syndrome that are still used today.

Dr. Cohen was a great source of information and a catalyst for other Down syndrome centers that developed around the country, including the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome.

Dr. Cohen was the Down syndrome expert and speaker at Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s first Educational Series. During his visit he found time to meet with key executives at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and present on local television. His message was everyone should support the establishment of a clinical care center for people with Down syndrome in Colorado. He proceeded to provide invaluable information on the do’s and don’ts for such a clinic.

During the Educational Series, Dr. Cohen was practical, informative, humorous but serious, and generous with his words of wisdom for professionals and parents alike. His experience in treating individuals with Down syndrome was invaluable to the professionals and heartening to the parents.

Sadly, Dr. Cohen passed away unexpectedly in 2009. His contributions to the welfare of people with Down syndrome, and his humorous delivery of serious matters of health will never be forgotten.

Testimonials for Dr. Cohen’s Educational Series Lectures:

“Dr. Cohen is knowledgeable, compassionate, and hilarious! We need more doctors like him.”

“Dr. Cohen was amazing and highly educational – he answered questions I didn’t know I had!”

“He covered a lot of my questions about the health of my son and gave me some good questions to ask my doctor the next time we have an appointment.”

“Wonderful speaker worth our two-hour drive to come and listen!”

“Lots of common sense advice for the professional who doesn’t get to see a lot of patients with Down syndrome.”

“Dr. Cohen was extremely delightful and informative. His work is very important.”

Attendee survey results on a scale of 1 to 5

Professional Survey Overall Objectives Met Relevance Knowledge of Speaker Clarity of Presentation
Average Totals 4.75 4.67 3.95 4.88 5.00
Parent Survey Overall Objectives Met Relevance Knowledge of Speaker Clarity of Presentation
Average Totals 4.60 4.36 4.47 4.90 4.74