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Extraordinary Generosity
Albert Pujols Designates Gift to Help Open Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome
Cardinals baseball player Albert Pujols designated an award from the Major League Baseball Players Trust to help open The Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome at St. Luke's - the first of its kind in Missouri. Located in the Mr. & Mrs. Theodore P. Desloge, Jr. Outpatient Center, the clinic's multidisciplinary team of specialists addresses the unique needs of adults with Down syndrome.
"Community feedback helped St. Luke's identify a growing need for wellness services for individuals as they transition from pediatric care," said Gary Olson, St. Luke's Hospital president and chief executive officer. "We are grateful for the support of Albert Pujols in helping us provide healthcare that will improve the quality of life for many adults and their families."
Pujols is the founder and co-chairperson of the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated in part to the love, care and development of people with Down syndrome and their families.
"Opening a center like this is something my wife and I had talked about since we started the Pujols Family Foundation, and to now have the opportunity to do so is truly a blessing," said Albert Pujols. "The staff at St. Luke's is one of the best and we have no doubt this center is going to change a lot of lives."
The new center opened in November 2009 and offers convenient access to comprehensive wellness resources. After a physician visit for a comprehensive physical, patients are referred to various services focused on nutrition, exercise, safety and social/emotional well-being. The center staff also serve as navigators to help families identify the appropriate resources needed for transition to adulthood and for ongoing wellness.
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