Clinical Work
The U-M CDHW recognizes the importance of tailoring care to the needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities. U-M CDHW members work to foster innovative, multidisciplinary clinical care and best practices that also address the psychosocial needs of those with disabilities. Our various medical clinics include:
- Deaf Health Clinic
- Low Vision Clinic
- Gynecologic Care for Adolescents and Women with Disabilities
- Delta Dental Integrated Special Care Clinic in Ann Arbor
- C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialty Clinics
- Michigan Adapted Cognitive Assessment Clinic (MACAC)
The University of Michigan Deaf Health Clinic
The UM Deaf Health Clinic at the Dexter Health Center is one of the very few clinics nationwide that focuses on the primary care needs of deaf and hard of hearing patients, including Deaf American Sign Language users. It is the only clinic of its kind in Michigan that provides accessible services for this population. The Deaf Health Clinic provides full spectrum primary care services, including prenatal and obstetric care, as well as in-person and virtual mental health services. Established in 2016, the clinic has served as a model for best practices in both ensuring accessibility and tailoring clinical approaches to helping those with disability health issues.
The University of Michigan Low Vision Clinic
Located at the Kellogg Eye Center, the Low Vision clinic provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation care for those with low vision. The clinic includes low vision optometrists, an occupational therapist trained in vision rehabilitation, and an orientation and mobility specialist.
Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital Gynecologic Care for Adolescents and Women with Disabilities Clinic
The Gynecologic Care for Adolescents and Women with Disabilities clinic is for adolescents and women with disabilities and is located on the ninth floor of Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. The hospital's address is 1540 E. Hospital Drive in Ann Arbor. Susan Dwyer Ernst, M.D., is the director of this clinic, as well as a faculty member of the U-M CDHW. She specializes in reproductive healthcare for adolescents and women with disabilities, adolescent gynecology and college health. Additionally, Dr. Ernst is director of the University Health Service Gynecology and Sexual Health Clinic on the main campus at the University of Michigan, located at 207 Fletcher Street in Ann Arbor. She cares for U-M students, including those with disabilities, for their gynecologic care and sexual health needs.
The Von Voigtlander Gynecology clinic also includes Mieke Beckman, LMSW, CST, a social worker and sexual health counselor who offers resources and education to patients and families regarding topics such as managing puberty, appropriate social boundaries, safety, healthy relationships, sexual health, and sexual assault prevention. You can review the full list of Sex Education Resources here.
Delta Dental Integrated Special Care Clinic
The Delta Dental Integrated Special Care Clinic is reserved for those patients 16 years and older for whom existing options in the School of Dentistry may not be adequate. The clinic helps those with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, acquired cognitive disabilities including dementia; progressive neurologic conditions; physical disabilities that limit mobility, vision, hearing; chronic and complex medical problems.
C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital Pediatric Dentistry treats patients from birth to 16 years of age who are medically compromised, physically and/or mentally challenged, and who present oral diseases.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialty Clinics
The University of Michigan Medical School was among the first major institutions in the nation to organize and develop an independent Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. It offers patient care for those with disabilities, including specialty clinics that focus on amputee care; brain injury and concussion; pediatric rehabilitation; rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology; and spinal cord injuries, among others.
Michigan Adapted Cognitive Assessment Clinic (MACAC)
The Michigan Adapted Cognitive Assessment Clinic largely serves patients who are unable to readily point or provide verbal responses though other patients participate in MACAC testing when appropriate. Individuals seen in the MACAC are commonly diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and brain injury though any patient requiring this specialized testing will be considered for evaluation regardless of diagnosis.