Raymond Kessel

Professor Emeritus of Medical Genetics

Address: 3430 Genetics/Biotech
Telephone: 262-1006
E-mail: rkessel@wisc.edu

Research Description:

My research has led to the development of a multi-faceted education approach for health professionals in education and other helping professionals and the general public about the prevention of mental retardation and understanding of clinical genetics and genetic counseling. The resulting activities include:

- the establishment of a statewide network of clinical genetic services with a major education and training component to complement the clinical services component;
- the establishment of a program to ensure that the Indian population receives adequate services (WINGS Project) for children with special health care needs;
- the establishment of a program for improving the genetics education at the precollege level through a genetics education program whose main activity is the summer institute;
- the establishment of a series of programs with a focus on the prevention of mental retardation through the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome and other alcohol affected infants;
- the establishment of activities which will lead to the improvement of the comprehensive health status for people with developmental disabilities.

My programs use an array of outreach strategies which attempt to establish partnerships which tap the huge knowlede of people and facilitate resources of the university to conduct activities in and for the community outside the university. Included in these strategies are advocacy for improved services, funding for programs, models for education and training.