Ten years ago, expertise in international adoption medicine was rare indeed. In some instances, physicians had a personal interest in international adoption. Others became intrigued by the children and the stories their parents were telling. In both cases, dedicated professionals built qualified multidisciplinary teams to unravel the layers of issues facing children adopted from overseas. Fourteen sites from Kentucky to Michigan are on this incomplete list.
Additional clinics continue to emerge.
The longest standing is Dana Johnson's International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Johnson and colleagues have consistently researched and reported on issues specific to children from orphanages. Lois Hannon, mother of 12 year old Juliana, reports seeing 50 to 60 doctors and therapists since bringing her daughter home from Romania in 1991. For most of these professionals, Julianna was the first post-institutionalized child they had seen. Some professionals said wait and see.