Operation House Call is an innovative medical education program that began in 1991 as collaboration between The Arc of Greater Boston and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM).  Under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Siegel, pediatrician, and Dr. David Coulter, neurologist, The Arc consulted with parents of children with special health care needs to develop Operation House Call’s curriculum.  Dr Coulter, whose brother has significant intellectual and developmental disability, believed families would be excellent teachers of doctors.  Twenty years later, under The Arc of Massachusetts, the teaching thrives, guided by a Parent Coordinator and our volunteer families.   Operation House Call builds skills so that professionals can be effective providers of health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At BUSM Operation House Call is a requirement for all third year medical students, and is taught during their pediatric rotation.  Key components of the training include an orientation class taught by a Parent Coordinator, and a home visit to one of our 50-60 volunteer families who have a child with a developmental disability.  An online website with articles and resources and a private online forum requires each participant to review their learning with feedback from the Parent Coordinator.    Medical as well as non-medical issues are addressed as students learn about communication, supports, transitions, services and family dedication, providing new perspectives and skills for their future practice. At the core of this teaching is the belief that families can be the best teachers, sharing their love, experience, advocacy, joys and concerns, to inspire the medical community of the future.   “It was a privilege to be part of this truly outstanding program. I have witnessed first hand…the impact of (the student) visits and I believe this kind of training is as powerful and significant as any."  (Parent volunteer, 2010)   “I can’t speak highly enough of this program – Operation House Call was the most eye-opening and inspiring experience of the (pediatric) rotation by far. Thank you for doing this, and I hope that future medical students will be able to continue to experience this year after year.” (3rd year medical student, 2011)     Over 180 Boston University doctors successfully complete Operation House Call’s program each year. The Arc of Mass is now gathering funds and resources to be able to offer this course to other interested medical schools and schools of advanced nursing practice.   To learn more about our team, click on their names below: ·        Susanna Peyton, Advisor ·         Maura Buckley, Parent Instructor ·         Ann Bersani, Parent Instructor and Development Associate   Click here to read an article in Pediatric Annals that highlights Operation House Call.