Dr. Judith Palfrey

Dr. Judith Palfrey is currently the Director of the Children's International Pediatric Center and is working to establish training and service programs in international sites based on her experiences in the United States. She is the author of five books including Community Child Health (Praeger Press, 1994) and Child Health in America (Johns Hopkins Press, 2006).  Judith Palfrey's primary research interest is in designing and evaluating programs for children with special health care needs. Her work is focused on the development of innovative systems of care and the assessment of the costs and benefits of such systems. She is currently the Principal Investigator of the NIDDR funded Opening Doors: The National Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs. This project is directed at improving access to early identification, community inclusion and effective transition services for children and youth from traditionally underserved communities.
Dr. Palfrey has advocated for fully coordinated primary care services in a "medical home" to address child health inequities, and she has provided guidance for practices and school systems for children with special health care needs. She has advocated at the federal level for funding of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), improved school health services and payment to pediatricians for developmental screening and coordination of care. "It is time to get health care coverage for children right once and for all," said Dr. Palfrey. "We must assure that all children receive excellent health care through universal insurance and the provision of a full health benefits package consistent with AAP standards - our children are depending on it."