Award for Black and Dubowitz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2002
Contact: Alexandra Bessent abessent@umm.edu 410-328-9260
Larry Roberts lroberts@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-7590

TWO UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PEDIATRICIANS WIN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE FROM UM REGENTS

Maureen Black, Ph.D., and Howard Dubowitz, M.D., M.S, both professors of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, were presented with Faculty Awards for Excellence in Collaboration by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents on April 12, 2002. They were among 14 University System of Maryland educators who were recognized at the ceremony at the University of Maryland University College. The Regents' Awards, established in 1995, acknowledge a faculty member's significant contributions in collaboration, mentoring, public service, teaching, research, scholarship or creative activity.

Drs. Black and Dubowitz, along with another award recipient, Raymond Starr, Jr., Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, have worked together for over a decade researching children's growth, development, and risk for abuse and neglect.

Through grants from multiple agencies, including the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, this team has been following 322 high-risk, inner-city children and their families, originally recruited from the University of Maryland Hospital for Children's pediatric clinics when the children were under two years of age. Approximately one-third of the children experienced failure-to-thrive, one-third were born to mothers at risk of HIV infection, and one-third had no identified problems.

"Interdisciplinary collaboration has enhanced our ability to understand the complex issues facing these children and families," says Dr. Black.

Drs. Black, Dubowitz and Starr have published over 50 papers in pediatric and psychology journals involving this group of children. These papers include a randomized trial of home intervention, the developmental impact of chronic neglect, and the role of fathers in children's development. The doctors plan to follow the children through age 20. The children are now young adolescents, and the team is evaluating a health promotion/ obesity prevention program in which these children participate.

In addition to this research, 25 students from UMBC's Department of Psychology have completed master's theses or doctoral dissertations under the direction of Drs. Black, Dubowitz, and Starr, and many others have received training through practicum experiences or as research assistants.

"It is an honor to be recognized for our collaborative work," says Dr. Dubowitz. All three received $1,000 and a plaque as an award.

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