The University of Pennsylvania has announced a $25 million commitment from Michael R. Armellino to establish the Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams syndrome at the Perelman School of Medicine.

A genetic condition that can present as intellectual disability, anxiety, or executive function challenges, Williams syndrome is caused by deletions on chromosome 7q11 and affects one in every 7,500 people. It can lead to a predisposition for cardiovascular and metabolic disease and a variety of other medical conditions. The center aims to bridge the gap between pediatric and adult care for individuals with Williams syndrome. To that end, Penn Medicine will collaborate with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which is home to one of the largest Williams syndrome clinics in the country, to enhance clinical and social services and advance scientific discovery to encompass the social, psychological, genetic, metabolic, and clinical complexity of Williams syndrome.

“The Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome will be a hub and international model for clinical care and research but, most importantly, it will be a welcoming home for those touched by this condition,” said J. Larry Jameson, executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. “Individuals with Williams syndrome face physical and intellectual challenges, coupled with a complex and uneven clinical care landscape. Long into the future, this generous gift will pave the way for improved care and scientific breakthroughs that will help us better care for individuals with Williams syndrome, creating the highest possible quality of life for this community.” 

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