Find out who’s making headlines at Kennedy Krieger, and get caught up on the Institute’s social media channels.
News
WBOC/CBS Baltimore
“Maryland is filling the void of special education access on the Eastern Shore”
April 13, 2026
The state of Maryland has committed $5 million to open a Kennedy Krieger school campus in Wicomico County.
WJZ/CBS Baltimore
“How Excessive Screen Time Impacts Childhood Development”
June 15, 2026
To cut back on kids’ screen time, ease in the restrictions, rather than cutting back all at once, advises Kennedy Krieger psychologist Dr. Natalie Delgado.
Medscape
“What Doctors Should Know About Autism ‘Unmasking’ in Girls”
July 20, 2026
“All teens are looking for belonging. … That’s what adolescence is about,” explains Dr. Ericka Wodka, Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation clinical director.
Technical.ly
“New Software out of Maryland Turns Smartphone Video Into Rehabilitation Therapy”
July 27, 2026
Developed in part at Kennedy Krieger, this new AI-powered technology makes it easier to record movement, says Dr. Ryan Roemmich, Center for Movement Studies director.
Social Spotlight
Instagram, June 11, 2026: At 9 months old, Matias was paralyzed from the hips down. Today, he can walk, dance, play soccer, and even ride a bike.
Matias survived a rare pediatric cancer called neuroblastoma, and faced unimaginable challenges from the start. Before emergency surgery to remove the tumor, it pressed into his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed at just under a year old. Determined to give him the best chance forward, his family brought him to work with the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger—where, over the past six years, he has made incredible progress.
At first, he could not crawl and could barely move his hips. But little by little, and eventually step by step, he regained functioning. Today, he moves independently—even though he has no sensation in his legs. Matias is a powerful reminder that with perseverance, support, and hope, even the toughest obstacles can be overcome.
See the full post on Instagram: KennedyKrieger.org/Matias
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Awards
The Maryland Daily Record named Dr. Amy Bastian, chief science officer, and Marcella Franczkowski, assistant vice president of early childhood education strategy, to its 2026 list of Top 100 Women, which recognizes high-achieving Maryland women who are making an impact through their leadership, community service and mentoring.
Included in Baltimore Magazine’s Top Nurses in Baltimore 2026 list were Capucine Dingle, school nurse; Elizabeth DiPietro, assistant vice president of inpatient nursing; Kristine Mauldin, senior nursing care manager; Laura McNabb, outpatient nurse coordinator; Barbara Obst, Therapeutic Foster Care nurse coordinator; and Lisa Wetzelberger, nursing care manager.
Kaitlin Waybright, meaningful day services coordinator for the Neurodiversity at Work department, received a 2026 Maryland Association of Community Services’ Excellence in Supervision Award, which honors direct support professionals and frontline supervisors who strengthen community services across Maryland.
Dr. Lee Wachtel, medical director of the Neurobehavioral Unit, received the 2025 American Psychiatric Association’s Frank J. Menolascino Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to psychiatric services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, through clinical service, teaching, and/or research.
Dr. Harolyn Belcher, vice president and director of the Center for Excellence in Public Health Leadership, received the 2026 American Pediatric Society’s David G. Nichols Health Equity Award, an endowed award given for excellence in advancing child and adolescent health and well-being. Dr. Belcher also received the 2026 Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Michael Burke, MD, Mentorship Award and a 2025 Health Services Leadership Award from Scouting America’s Baltimore Area Council. The Scouting award honors healthcare leaders who make a lasting impact on the quality of life in central Maryland while exemplifying the values of Scouting America.
Kennedy Krieger awarded its Social Work Awards for 2026 to clinical social worker Arielle Speert (Clinical Excellence Award), research scientist and clinical social worker Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne (Community Agent Award), and managers of clinical social work Alison Sullivan (Leadership Award) and Mary Coster (Legacy Award).
In Spring 2026, Kennedy Krieger awarded its inaugural Leah Sohn Legacy Award to Josh Rouch. This annual award honors a Kennedy Krieger staff member who demonstrates the same qualities that physical therapist Leah Sohn exemplified while working at Kennedy Krieger School Programs for over 15 years.
Kennedy Krieger Institute was one of 64 Maryland companies and nonprofit organizations named to Executive Alliance’s 2026 Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation. Executive Alliance is a Maryland not-for-profit organization that supports and engages in activities promoting the advancement of women in professional and executive positions.
Kayla Moultrie, services coordinator for Kennedy Krieger’s Therapy Care Center, received the 2026 Folds of Honor scholarship, and was presented with a ceremonial check during a Baltimore Orioles game on Aug. 6. Moultrie is pursuing a graduate degree in speech-language pathology at Towson University.
Photo captions, from top to bottom: Matias, Dr. Amy Bastian and Marcella Franczkowski, Dr. Lee Wachtel and Dr. Harolyn Belcher.