Research Interests—Development and evaluation of the Syracuse Family Advocacy Program with Dr. Steven Blatt (UPAC) and Prof. Suzette Meléndez (College of Law). The Syracuse Family Advocacy Program is a medical-legal partnership between the University Pediatric and Adolescent Center (UPAC) of University Hospital of SUNY Upstate Medical University and the Children's Rights and Family Law Clinic (CRC) and Family Law and Social Policy Center (FLSPC) of Syracuse University College of Law.
FAP seeks to provide legal advocacy to improve the overall health of low-income children. Furthermore, FAP works to achieve systemic change through the multidisciplinary education of law students and medical residents. FAP is embedded in two professional training programs to enable future doctors and lawyers to work collaboratively to attain favorable health outcomes for children. Not only do low-income families receive critical legal assistance, but young professionals learn about using community resources and employing cooperative strategies to benefit patients and clients in their own practices.
