March 20, 2008

News Release

James Venza, Ph.D., Appointed Associate Executive Director of the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children

Rockville, MD – The Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children is pleased to announce the appointment of James Venza, Ph.D., as its new associate executive director. Dr. Venza will provide leadership and clinical expertise to strengthen the Center’s commitment to meeting the behavioral health needs of social-emotional development in infants and young children.

Dr. Venza, who joined the Center in 2004, previously served as the director of the Center’s Therapeutic Nursery Program, a mental health and education program focusing on social-emotional development in preschool children exhibiting emotional and behavioral disturbances. Dr. Venza has advanced clinical training and experience with children, adolescents and families from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic populations, often dealing with trauma, abuse, crises and a wide range of mental disorders.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and history from the University of Notre Dame, and a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus. Dr. Venza has written a number of published articles and presentations on topics such as attachment theory, child placement and social-emotional and behavioral disturbances in preschoolers.

"Dr. Venza is an exemplary leader, and I am confident that our programs and services will be further enhanced under his guidance," said Tracye Polson, executive director, the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children. "Dr. Venza’s clinical expertise with children and families coupled with his strong administration skills will benefit our organization and the families and patients it serves."

Also joining the Center for the first time is Karen Day as director of the Reginald S. Lourie Center’s Before and After School Program. Day brings to the Center more than 20 years of experience in child development, curriculum planning, parenting and in creating a variety of developmentally appropriate activities for children including multicultural activities and creative arts. The Before and After School Program, which opened last Fall, is designed to foster a child’s ability to safely and effectively cope with the typical developmental challenges. The Program supports social-emotional health and educational achievements through positive self-expression.

About the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children

The Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children was founded in 1983 by the late Dr. Reginald S. Lourie and his colleagues. The organization evolved from a six-year clinical research project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. This project demonstrated the value of early identification and intervention to enable children to reach their full potential, developmentally and emotionally. Based in Rockville, Maryland the Reginald S. Lourie Center specializes in the assessment, treatment and prevention of emotional, behavioral and developmental problems in infants and young children. In 2006, the Reginald S. Lourie Center affiliated with Adventist HealthCare.