University of Nevada School of Medicine professor and chief of the Genetics and Dysmorphology Division of the Department of Pediatrics, Colleen Morris, M.D., was recently honored for her work enhancing the lives of children living with neuro-developmental disorders. The Lili Claire Foundation honored Morris with the Compassion of Care award during their annual benefit dinner and concert held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on April 28.

Morris, who also serves as the medical director for the Lili Claire Foundation Family Resource Center in Las Vegas, provides diagnostic evaluations, genetic counseling, medical advice and consultation for individuals with neurogenetic disorders. Her research interests focus on linking the genotype of Williams syndrome to the physical and behavioral phenotype as well as studying Kabuki syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

"Dr. Morris has made a difference in the lives of numerous families across southern Nevada through her work with the Lili Claire Foundation," said James Lenhart, M.D., vice dean and chair of the family medicine department. "She is most deserving of the Compassion of Care award. The School of Medicine is extremely proud of her efforts in the clinical setting as well as her accomplishments in research."

Morris received her M.D. from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Phoenix Hospital's Affiliated Programs. Morris' fellowship in clinical genetics and dysmorphology was served at the University of Utah.

As the state's only public medical school, the University of Nevada School of Medicine has been meeting statewide healthcare, educational, and clinical needs since 1969. The School of Medicine encompasses 16 clinical medical education departments, including Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, as well as ten nationally-recognized departments within basic science including microbiology and biomedical engineering. As the largest multi-specialty healthcare focus within the state, the School of Medicine employs more than 185 doctors who both teach and practice medicine throughout Nevada. The school's statewide faculty physician practice group has a combined 25 different medical specialties with seven physician practice offices located in the Reno-Sparks area and five physician offices located in Las Vegas.

The University of Nevada School of Medicine utilizes a best-practice approach to medicine and is committed to addressing the health needs of Nevada now and in the future.