Phyllis R. Magrab, Ph.D.
Dr. Magrab has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for vulnerable children and their families. For the past 40 years, she has provided service, conducted research, and trained future professionals in the care of children with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and mental health needs and their families. She has been Director of the Center for Child and Human Development, a major research, training, and public policy program since 1975 and also has been Chief of Pediatric Psychology since 1969. Dr. Magrab has written/ edited 12 major books as well as numerous research articles and chapters that reflect her personal and professional commitment to improving the quality of life for vulnerable children.
Over the past 3 decades Dr. Magrab has been actively involved in developing public policy to ensure society's commitment to children and youth with special needs and mental health challenges. She was one of the pioneers in the field of maternal and child health and children's mental health to establish community-based, family-centered systems of care for children and youth with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and mental health needs. For this work, she has received numerous awards, including the U.S. Surgeon General's Award and, most recently, the U.S. Secretary of Health Award for Pioneer in Developmental Disabilities. At Georgetown University, there is an Endowed Chair, the Phyllis R. Magrab Chair, dedicated to the continuation of this work. Currently, Dr. Magrab is deeply engaged in global issues related to social justice, health, and education, guiding and developing policy and practice. In particular, she is working closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on its Education for All (EFA) agenda with an emphasis on disability and literacy issues. In 2006, Dr. Magrab was named to a UNESCO Chair to honor this work and to establish her continuing role in implementing EFA, and this year she began her term on the United States National UNESCO Commission.