ANNAPOLIS, MD — Today, Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller visited the Kennedy Krieger Institute in support of the organization’s early intervention and neurodiversity initiatives, vaccination and behavioral health efforts, and extensive collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration. Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty, and leadership from the Kennedy Krieger Institute toured the Baltimore facility, visiting with staff, patients, and families in the inpatient unit.
“It was an honor to visit the Kennedy Krieger Institute today and witness the amazing strength of the staff, patients and their families,”
said Gov. Moore. “We must continue to support our healthcare workforce as they work tirelessly to help the most vulnerable Marylanders. I thank them for their dedication to providing quality care and for their selfless contribution to leaving no one behind.”
Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders or injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. As an internationally-renowned institution, Kennedy Krieger transforms the lives of more than 27,000 individuals each year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, training and education for professionals and advocacy.
“Kennedy Krieger’s programs are helping to create a comprehensive continuum of care, especially for young Marylanders,”
said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Our administration is proud to support them in their work to improve the lives of tens of thousands of Marylanders through care, as well as offer services and training for professionals.”
“We were excited and grateful to welcome Governor Moore along with Lt. Governor Miller, and Secretaries Beatty and Scott to tour our inpatient hospital today and share our vision for growing to serve even more children, as the need is high. Since 1937, Kennedy Krieger has improved the lives of Maryland children, and many others, through life-changing therapies, expert medical care, specialized education, innovative research, and training the next generation of clinicians,”
said Kennedy Krieger Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bradley L. Schlaggar, MD, PhD. “We know that not only is the Moore-Miller administration fully committed to helping Maryland’s most vulnerable children, but they also recognize Kennedy Krieger as a unique, internationally known resource that is proud to call Maryland its home.”
Prior to the tour, Governor Moore convened his first quarterly meeting of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. The board serves as the governor’s chief strategy and policy-making body by engaging key business, labor, education, and community leaders around the governor’s vision to promote economic opportunity.
“To build a successful strategy, we must listen to each other and to our communities,”
said Gov. Moore. “To win the decade, we need to listen hard and respond to what we hear. Your work will directly affect how we build a workforce that can dominate industries of the present and future.”
During the meeting, Governor Moore introduced 11 newly-appointed members of the board, including Baltimore Gas and Electric President and Chief Executive Officer Carim Khouzami, who will serve as chair and Fearless founder and Chief Executive Officer Delali Dzirasa, who will serve as vice chair.
“The Department of Labor will work tirelessly to realize the governor’s vision of a business-led workforce approach that provides equitable opportunity for all Marylanders,”
said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “We will collaborate with the leaders on this board and stakeholders across Maryland to ensure it becomes reality.”
For more information on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, visit
http://gwdb.maryland.gov/.
###