Dr. Jack Dillenberg is a pioneering figure in public health and dentistry, known for founding the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health with a focus on service, public health, and underserved communities. His career spans impactful roles including state health director in Arizona, global health work in Jamaica and India, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He championed innovations like tele-dentistry, dental therapy, and nutrition education in dental care, and collaborated with figures like Mother Teresa and Major League Baseball to promote health equity. His upcoming book, You Don’t Know Jack, But You Should, captures his remarkable journey and lifelong commitment to making a difference.

This IDD Health Matters podcast features a conversation between Dr. Craig Escudé and Ley Linder, focusing on a collaborative initiative called “Unlocking Behaviors.” This project, inspired by Dr. Rick Rader, aims to bridge the gap between medical and behavioral approaches when evaluating challenging behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The discussion emphasizes the importance of integrated healthcare, where medical, mental, oral, and behavioral health professionals work together to uncover the root causes of behaviors that may initially seem purely psychological but often have underlying medical explanations. Both speakers highlight the critical role of direct support professionals, who, despite lacking formal training, possess deep knowledge of the individuals they care for and can provide essential observational insights. The conversation also addresses the lack of formal training in both medical and behavioral fields regarding the intersection of health and behavior, advocating for ongoing education and openness to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Anthony Rodriguez, featured on the IDD Health Matters podcast during the 2025 AAIDD Conference, shares his journey from a finance major to a full professor at Providence College, driven by a passion for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). His work blends mathematics education with advocacy, focusing on financial literacy and scam prevention to empower people with IDD. He highlights the importance of community-based research, peer mentoring, and storytelling as tools for growth and connection. As the incoming president of AAIDD, Rodriguez aims to foster collaboration among fellows and celebrate the organization's upcoming 150th anniversary, emphasizing unity, calm, and shared expertise in advancing health equity.

This IDD Perspectives webinar episode features Dr. M. Dian Chin Kit-Wells, a board-certified pediatric dentist and president of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. The discussion centers on the most common dental health concerns affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics include the systemic importance of oral health, gum disease, halitosis, tongue abnormalities, enamel erosion, and bruxism. The conversation emphasizes the connection between oral and overall health, the impact of medications, and the role of caregivers in maintaining dental hygiene. Practical advice is offered on prevention strategies, including brushing, flossing, dietary choices, and the use of baking soda. This episode also highlights resources and organizations that support dental care for people with IDD, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration and education. You can find the free handout mentioned during the webinar at https://replacingrisk.com/webinars/. All webinar handouts are located at the bottom of the page.

Rebecca Enders discusses supports and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rebecca, a board-certified case manager and director of case management at Optimal Health Care in Maryland, outlines the importance of coordinated services, including Medicaid waivers, community integration, and support across the lifespan. Having transitioned from a 15-year career in education, Rebecca found renewed purpose in case management, eventually developing a data-driven acuity model called Atlas Acuity. This system assesses client needs using weighted metrics to calculate an acuity score, guiding the assignment of caseloads and preventing case manager burnout. Her approach emphasizes time allocation and service equity, empowering professionals to deliver meaningful care while sustaining well-being and effectiveness within the field.

Carol Price Guthrie has spent over three decades working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), beginning as a direct support professional in Tennessee. Her career journey includes roles in case management, program development, and managed care, with experience founding her own case management agency and contributing to projects at UnitedHealthcare. Currently, she serves as Senior Director of Waiver and Program Development at StationMD, a telehealth company specializing in medical services for individuals with IDD. Guthrie is deeply committed to health equity, advocating for specialized, ongoing training and personalized support that enables people with IDD to access community-based services and live with dignity and independence.

Jean Phelps, CEO of Encompass Human Services, passionately advocates for expanding awareness and accessibility in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her organization offers a wide range of supports, including residential, day, employment, and brain injury services, all designed to integrate individuals meaningfully into their communities. Jean emphasizes that the core qualifications for becoming a direct support professional are the everyday skills people use to live their own lives, coupled with a genuine spirit and desire to help others. She believes career growth within the field should be nurtured and supported, even if that means mentoring someone who eventually leaves for a leadership role elsewhere. Through her own story—beginning with a transformative summer camp experience—Jean illustrates the deep personal and professional fulfillment found in this field and highlights the critical need for grace, individual empowerment, and space to learn through missteps.

Dr. Susan Haverkamp, featured on the IDD Health Matters podcast, discusses her work on improving health equity for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She highlights the lack of reliable national health data due to insufficient identification methods and advocates for simple survey questions to address this gap. Haverkamp also shares her role in creating core healthcare competencies through a Delphi study, stressing the importance of understanding the social model of disability, improving clinician communication and clinical skills, and recognizing implicit biases. She emphasizes recent progress in medical education, growing community-engaged research, and the need to mentor future healthcare providers. Her final advice includes listening to people with IDD, investing in students, and addressing mental health vulnerabilities within the IDD population.

In this episode of the IDD Health Matters podcast, Dr. Craig Escudé interviews Sharon Gomez, a passionate advocate and leader in the field of intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services. Sharon shares her lifelong dedication to supporting individuals with IDD, tracing her journey from youth volunteerism with The Arc to executive leadership roles, including at Evergreen Life Services. She discusses the impact of landmark legal cases like the Gary W. lawsuit on improving community-based care and highlights ongoing challenges in healthcare access for people with complex medical needs. Sharon emphasizes the importance of properly trained healthcare professionals, the vital role of frontline staff, and the power of community in promoting equity and quality of life. The conversation also touches on the value of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), professional growth within the field, and the human side of health advocacy. This episode was recorded before the passing of IntellectAbility founder, Karen Green McGowan, who is mentioned in this episode.

In this episode of IDD Health Matters, host Dr. Craig Escudé interviews A.J. Forster, a professional with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Forster shares his journey from working in finance to becoming passionate about serving the IDD population through direct support and leadership roles. Now at Tarrytown Pharmacy, he helps streamline medication services for IDD providers, aiming to relieve the burden on nurses and staff by coordinating refills, prior authorizations, and emergency prescription needs. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary teams, especially in managing psychotropic medications with regular reviews to avoid unnecessary treatments and reduce side effects. Forster also highlights the value of direct support professionals, advocating for better pay and recognition, and underscores the need for emergency preparedness across care systems. Throughout, the conversation spotlights collaboration, proactive care, and a mission-driven approach to improving the lives of people with IDD.