Deborah M. Spitalnik, Ph.D. is a Professor of Pediatrics and Family Medicine and Community Health at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she is the founding Executive Director of The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service and Leadership Education In Neurodevelopmental Disabilities[LEND]program. With degrees from Brandeis University, Harvard University, and Temple University, her educational background is in social policy, clinical psychology and health care. Deborah’s work has focused on the intersection between individuals and public policy to promote inclusive communities. She has had the opportunity to influence public policy nationally through Presidential appointments as a member and chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and leadership roles in national organizations. In New Jersey she influences disability policy through the work of The Boggs Center, with gubernatorial appointments as chair of New Jersey’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee and the NJ Advisory Council On Traumatic Brain Injury, legislative testimony, and consultation with state and community agencies and people with disabilities and families.