New UNC program to support children and adults will officially open on World Down Syndrome Day
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – UNC Children’s is proud to announce the grand opening of the UNC Down Syndrome Clinic, a dedicated medical program designed to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children and adults with Down syndrome. The clinic, led by Dr. Kate Westmoreland, will officially open its doors on March 21, 2025 — World Down Syndrome Day.
The establishment of this clinic marks a significant milestone in expanding specialized care for people with Down syndrome in North Carolina. Families will now have access to a collaborative team of experts across multiple specialties, ensuring that each child receives tailored medical, developmental, and therapeutic support under one roof. This is one of only a handful of Down syndrome clinics across the country that offer care across the lifespan, treating both children and adults with Down syndrome.
Driven by a deep personal connection, Dr. Westmoreland founded the clinic after the birth of her daughter, who has Down syndrome. “I have experienced first-hand the immense love and joy that comes with raising a child with Down syndrome, as well as the unique challenges that families navigate,” Dr. Westmoreland said. “Our goal is to create a welcoming, supportive space where individuals with Down syndrome can receive comprehensive, compassionate medical care tailored just for them. We look forward to walking alongside families, providing care coordination and advocacy to help every individual thrive.”
The UNC Down Syndrome Clinic was made possible thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA), which established the NCDSA Down Syndrome Fund at the UNC Health Foundation. This funding underscores NCDSA’s commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for individuals with Down Syndrome across the state.
“NCDSA is honored to support this initiative and invest in a clinic that will make a meaningful difference for families in our community,” said Amy Navejas, executive director of NCDSA. “This partnership with UNC Children’s reflects our shared dedication to ensuring every person with Down syndrome receives the specialized care they deserve.”
The clinic will offer a range of services, including comprehensive medical exams, vision and hearing screening, therapy evaluations (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), developmental assessments, nutrition counseling, coordinated care with subspecialists, and family support resources. By bringing together this incredible team, who will work closely with each patient’s primary care provider, the UNC Down syndrome Clinic aims to streamline care and improve the overall health and well-being of its patients.
“This clinic is another important example of UNC Children’s expanding medical care and treatment to serve children and families across North Carolina and beyond,” said Dr. Stephanie Duggins Davis, physician in chief at UNC Children’s. “As we continue planning for N.C. Children’s, the state’s first freestanding children’s hospital, we are proud to enhance the care we offer.”
More details about the UNC Down Syndrome Clinic, services offered, and how to schedule an appointment can be found on UNC Children’s Down Syndrome Program’s website. Families can also call 984-215-5557 or email DownSyndromeClinic@unchealth.unc.edu. To support the new clinic, visit the UNC Health Foundation website: www.unchealthfoundation.org/dsclinic
About UNC Children’s
As a top-tier academic medical center, UNC Children’s upholds a mission to promote the health of all children in an inclusive, equitable culture through compassionate, family-centered care, tireless advocacy, scientific discovery, and education of future leaders.
Our nearly 350 physicians and providers are clinical and research faculty of the UNC School of Medicine, their medical expertise spanning nearly 50 programs in the School of Medicine’s 20 clinical departments, including 16 divisions in the UNC Department of Pediatrics. They are joined by more than 1,800 clinical staff, all dedicated to providing exemplary, compassionate care to the thousands of children we treat each year.