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Biographies

Find another Doctor or Researcher

High Res

Sonya G. Oppenheimer, MD

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Phone: 513-636-4611

Fax: 513-636-7361

Email: sonya.oppenheimer@cchmc.org

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Specialties

Clinical Interests

Spina bifida; cerebral palsy; high-risk infants

Research Interests

Spina bifida; ethics; high-risk infants; early intervention

Biography

Sonya Oppenheimer, MD, has been committed to the field of developmental disabilities her entire professional career. She recently retired as Director of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, and Director of the University Affiliated Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders, which was established in 1946 and is recognized nationally and internationally as a center for children with developmental problems.

The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics provides interdisciplinary training programs funded by the Maternal Child Health Bureau for the past 27 years. The center is also recognized for its community outreach programs, clinical service programs, diagnosis and treatment program, and research programs.

Dr. Oppenheimer is recognized as an expert in spina bifida and has been Director of the UACCDD multidisciplinary spina bifida program established in 1965. She has served on the professional advisory board of the Spina Bifida Association of America and the Cincinnati Spina Bifida Association.

Under her direction, Dr. Oppenheimer co-sponsored three International conferences on Spina Bifida. Along with Marlene Lutkenhoff, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic Nurse Specialist, Dr. Oppenheimer recently co-authored a book for teenagers and young adults, Spinabilities -- A Young Person's Guide to Spina Bifida, and a new book titled Children with Spina Bifida -- A Parent's Guide is in press for families and professionals.

Dr. Oppenheimer has served on the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on children with disabilities and currently chairs the Ohio Department of Health Committee on children with disabilities and the joint Myelomeningocele Committee. She serves as the Governor appointed Pediatrician on the State Early Intervention Council.

Dr. Oppenheimer joined the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1969. Prior to being appointed Director of the Division, she served as the Director of the Department of Pediatrics of the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders.

Dr. Oppenheimer attended Radcliff College Boston, Mather College Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. She had a developmental fellowship at Case Western Reserve University under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Spock and Dr. John Kennell.

Education and Training

MD: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 1958.

Residency: Rainbow Babies, Cleveland, Ohio; Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, 1958; Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1973-1974.

Fellowship: University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, 1959-1960.

Certification: Pediatrics, 1975.

Publications

View PubMed Publications

Ris MD, Ammerman RT, Waller N, Walz N, Oppenheimer S, Brown TM, Enrile BG, Yeates KO. Taxonicity of nonverbal learning disabilities in spina bifida. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2007 Jan;13(1):50-8.

Schorry EK, Oppenheimer SG, Saal HM. Valproate embryopathy: clinical and cognitive profile in 5 siblings.Am J Med Genet A. 2005 Mar 1;133A(2):202-6.

Oppenheimer S, Dignan P, Soukup S. Partial trisomy 20p: familial occurrence.Am J Med Genet. 2000 Dec 11;95(4):316-9. Review.

Davidovitch M, Manning-Courtney P, Hartmann LA, Watson J, Lutkenhoff M, Oppenheimer S. The prevalence of attentional problems and the effect of methylphenidate in children with myelomenigocele.Pediatr Rehabil. 1999 Jan-Mar;3(1):29-35.

Lanphear N, Lamb A, Oppenheimer S, Soukup S. Supernumerary chromosome marker (1) in a developmentally delayed child.Am J Med Genet. 1995 Jul 3;57(3):400-2.

Yassin MS, Sanyurah S, Lierl MB, Fischer TJ, Oppenheimer S, Cross J, O'Brien K, Steinmetz C, Khoury J. Evaluation of latex allergy in patients with meningomyelocele.Ann Allergy. 1992 Sep;69(3):207-11.