Judith Eckerle Kang

Contact Information Phone: 612-624-1164 Fax: 612-625-2920 Email: ecke0056@umn.edu Address: 717 Delaware St SE Mail Code 1932 Minneapolis, MN  55414

"The reason I went into adoption medicine is because I love children, and this was a natural fit for me as an international adoptee from South Korea. I feel a strong bond to the adopted children and their families because of my personal experiences, and because of my training I feel well equipped to help them with their health and transition issues."

PATIENT CARE

Dr. Kang sees children on an outpatient basis in International Adoption Clinic.

RESEARCH

Dr. Kang's research interests include investigating markers that may be predictive of future cognitive outcomes in internationally adopted children. These markers include growth parameters, cortisol and/or growth hormone markers. In 2005-06 she completed a research paper titled "Catch-up Head Circumference Growth in International Adoptees As a Predictor of Future Cognitive Function".

EDUCATION

Dr. Kang received her bachelor's degree at Illinois Wesleyan University (biology, flute performance) and did medical school at Medical College of Wisconsin. She completed her residency at Weill Cornell Medical Center (New York, NY) and a 1-year post-doctoral fellowship at University of Minnesota's Center for Neurobehavioral Development.

TEACHING

Dr. Kang teaches residents in the International Adoption Medicine Program local elective and mentors medical students.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

July 2007 - present
Medical consultant on health issues in international adoption to multiple adoption agencies and local community groups

May 2008, May 2009
Consultant and lobbyist to South Korean goverment on international adoptions into the U.S.

Jan 2009
Keynote address at Minnesota Association of Korean Americans (MAKA): "Finding Your Identity on the Way To Your Future"

March 2009
Keynote address at 2009 Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS): "The Changing Medical Challenges in International Adoption"
Panel presenter at 2009 JCICS Adoptee Institute