University Of Pennsylvania Receives $25 Million Gift To Establish Armellino Center Of Excellence For Williams Syndrome

The University of Pennsylvania Health System received a $25 million gift from alumnus Michael R. Armellino to establish the Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome. This new center will serve as a model for coordinated care across the lifespan, as well as to provide social support and pioneer research for individuals with Williams syndrome.

Williams syndrome, which is caused by deletions on chromosome 7q11, affects one in every 7,500 people. Children with Williams syndrome generally have unusual social abilities while also navigating intellectual disability, anxiety, executive function challenges, predisposition for cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and a variety of . . .