Dr. Christopher Hanks has been invited to join the board of directors for the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, the only national nonprofit dedicated solely to advancing adolescent health care delivery and financing system changes through education, policy analysis, technical assistance, and advocacy. Dr. Hanks’ three-year term starts in January. The three priorities of the alliance are: 1) Promoting effective transitions from pediatric to adult health care, 2) Ensuring access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage, and 3) Supporting improved systems of services for adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions and disabilities.
Currently, the alliance is expanding its work on behalf of young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. As the director of the Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST), which works with autistic adults, and through his research and advocacy for improving care for adults with developmental disabilities, Dr. Hanks is perfectly positioned to help with this expansion.
In addition to directing CAST, Dr. Hanks is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, and is an associate professor and the Section Chief of the Med/Peds Section in the Division of General Internal Medicine.
Patients, healthcare providers and others interested in additional resources related to improving the process of transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for patients with chronic illness and/or disability, can visit GotTransition.Org, which is managed by the alliance.