Margaret Giannini MD
Honorable Margaret J. Giannini, M.D., F.A.A.P. has devoted her professional life to person with disabilities and has been a pioneer in the development of a number of initiatives in research, training, and clinical services for the disabled community.
She was appointed by President George W. Bush in November of 2001 as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration on Aging, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In 2002, she was appointed Director of the Office on Disability by Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Giannini is the recipient of many national and international awards from various organizations in recognition of her professional and humanitarian services and achievements. She has served on numerous national and international boards and chaired more than 61 international conferences on rehabilitation and developmental disabilities in many countries, including Israel, Italy, Spain, China, Russia, Argentina, India, Egypt and others.
This passionate, credentialled and knowledgeable humanitarian offers unparalleled expertise and hope for addressing the challenges associated with disability and aging.
Topic Categories
- Women-specific
- Aging Issues
- Disability
Accomplishments
- In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed Dr. Giannini as the first Director of the National Institute of Handicapped Research (now the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research), which was confirmed by the Senate in January of 1980. From 1981-1992, Dr. Giannini was Deputy Assistant Chief Medical Director for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics for Disabled Veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. In 1950, she was the first to create the largest facility for the developmentally disabled for all ages and etiologies nationally and internationally, which became the first University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities.
- She has served for 24 years as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Rome, making significant contributions to the major growth of the University.
- She has received the following honorary degrees: presented the First Honorary Degree by Mercy College Doctor of Humane Letters; received the American University of Rome's Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa; and received an Honorary Doctor of Science, Case Western Reserve University.
- She has published extensively and lectured nationally and internationally. Dr. Giannini has most recently edited "Behavioral Neurology in the Elderly." She is also a Member of the Institute of Medicine of The National Academy of Sciences and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A Sampling of Awards: Dr. Giannini was saluted by the Association for Pediatric Research; selected "Woman of the Year" for Achievement in Medicine and "Woman-Doer" by President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson; received the Wyeth Medical Achievement Award; awarded the Seal of the Inner London Education Authority for Contributions in the Field of Mental Retardation at the House of Parliament London; awarded the Key to the City of Bologna, Italy and the Meritorious Honor Award in Mental Retardation; received the Bronze Medal Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics; given the First Presidential Award for Design Excellence for the design of the Seattle Foot from President Reagan; awarded President Reagan's Distinguished Service Award, Committee on Employment of the Handicapped; is in the New York Hall of Fame (AHRC, '98); was honored by the naming of the "Hon. Margaret J. Giannini, M.D. Physical Rehabilitation Pavilion" in 1997 at Westchester Special School, N.Y; presented by The American Medical Association, with Honors for her contributions as a Presidential Appointee in the Executive Branch that has made the most contributions to public health services; given the Lifetime Achievement Award, American Association for University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
In Her Words
Coming Soon
Key Notes
Fee Range: 10,000 to 15,000 USD Lives In: Washington, DCPresentation Titles
- Caregivers – Informal or Formal, What You Need to Know --
Dr. Giannini is an esteemed colleague and information resource to caregiver advocacy organizations in the United States and abroad. Dr. Giannini will provide the audience a look at what they can expect to face 24 hours a day, seven days a week; how to cope with the stresses of family and caregiving, and how to take care of yourself in the process. As co-author of Behavioral Neurology in the Elderly, Dr. Giannini has unique and valuable insight into both aging and caregiving. This is a talk everyone needs to hear – because if you're not currently a caregiver – rest assured – you will be.
- How Assistive Technology Improves Life --
Dr. Giannini will astonish the audience with the new and innovative technology available to persons with disabilities. Earlier in her career, Dr. Giannini had the great vision to create the Seattle Foot – which won her the Design of Honors by President Ronald Reagan. She was responsible for the evolution of the creation of assistive technology that exists in the 21st century so that the spinal cord injured can stand and walk; so that amputees can walk more easily with brain messages sent from the brain to the prosthetic; so that persons who are stoned deaf can hear through her work in cochlear implants; and so persons with profoundly low vision can see better through her efforts in technologies for the blind. As one of the first physicians to work with the National Home Builders Association on the "Smart Home," she will discuss the "Smart Home" and the advent of the "Active Home," which performs "actuation" – moving and doing actions for the inhabitants; and she will discuss the field of robotics, especially geared for quadriplegics, who can move only their heads and eyes and use their voices. She will discuss the importance of raising the consciousness of the layman and persons with disabilities that there’s a world of assistive technology available to them and how it works, how to access it – and most important, how it can provide independence for persons with disabilities.
- How do you Live with Your Disability in your 24 Hour Day - What You Need to Know --
Considered the foremost expert in the field of physical and intellectual disabilities, nationally and internationally, Dr. Giannini has been appointed by several Presidents to oversee government programs dedicated to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. She has been a pioneer in ensuring the civil rights of persons with disabilities – both nationally and internationally – and has created numerous programs to ensure these persons have access to accommodations they need to live independently and to be productive, contributing members of society. She will tell the audience – be they persons with disabilities or the parents of children with disabilities – what they need to know – and what their rights are by law -- in areas such as health and health care, employment, education, transportation, housing, finances and tax credits. She will also explore a typical 24-hour-day in the life of a person with disabilities. The audience will develop a clear understanding of what persons with disabilities can aspire to, and will realize that persons with disabilities are people like those without disabilities, but just happen to have a physical or intellectual challenge that is limiting their daily living activities. Dr. Giannini offers knowledge, the tools, and the insight to understand that no matter the disability, in this day and age, each has the God-given right to do, to act, to be part of, and to have the freedom to live like everyone else in the general population.
- The Myths of Aging --
Life doesn't end at 55, and we don't have to be in a rocking chair unless that’s where we want to be. In 2001, Dr. Giannini was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As co- author of Behavioral Neurology in the Elderly, Dr. Giannini has unique and valuable insight into aging. In her humorous and insightful way, she will dispel the common myths on aging and empower the audience to walk away committed to living full, productive, and happy lives.
- Women – Preparing for your Health Needs After 40 -- Dr. Margaret Giannini is a living testament to following, what she calls "a simple formula" to staying healthy. As a physician, she will share this formula – a formula unique to women's health – with ten simple steps. She will discuss things women need to be concerned about after turning 40 such as: high blood pressure, heart disease, bone density, mammography, colonoscopy, diet, and exercise. She shares how ignoring these signs can lead us toward becoming disabled – physically, mentally, and both -- and what types of disabilities can expected by not taking charge of our health. A humorous, engaging speaker, Dr. Giannini will offers the most valuable tool to living life fully "able bodied" – she will show how to prevent these disabilities from occurring.