Vanderbilt Kennedy Center UCEDD Co-director Julie Taylor Elected to American Pediatric Society

In addition to Taylor, the department’s newest members of APS, one of the oldest and most prestigious societies for academic pediatricians, are Walter Dehority, MD, MSc, Adam Esbenshade, MD, MCSI, and Kris Rehm, MD, MMHC.

“We are proud to celebrate the induction of Drs. Dehority, Esbenshade, Rehm, and Taylor into the American Pediatric Society,” said William Cooper, MD, MPH, interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Pediatrics and associate dean for Faculty Affairs for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “Their unwavering commitment and contributions to advancing pediatric medicine, coupled with their profound dedication to the health and well-being of children, exemplifies the highest standards of our profession. We are delighted that you have received this truly distinguished honor.”

Julie Lounds Taylor is professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry/Behavioral Sciences and holder of the Directorship in Autism Research. She is a scholar in family research whose focus has been on the crucial transition to adulthood for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She investigates behavioral and environmental factors that promote positive adult outcomes.

Taylor’s program of research has contributed critical knowledge about the challenges faced by youth with autism and their families during the transition years. Her work has demonstrated significant service loss as autistic youth transition from school-based to adult service systems. In response, she has developed and tested novel programs to improve transition outcomes through connecting autistic youth and families to adult services. She has identified numerous different social and environmental factors that influence risk for mental health challenges, including peer victimization, traumatic experiences, inadequate social participation and job loss. She has also identified high rates of employment instability for autistic young adults and is currently investigating this issue in greater depth in a large longitudinal study.

With their induction, the Department of Pediatrics now has 44 faculty who are members of the APS. Founded in 1888, the organization was the first North American honorary society for academic pediatricians. Members are recognized for leadership, teaching, research and contributions at an international level.

The new members will be recognized during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2025 Meeting, which will be held in Hawaii in April.