Remembering John C. Pomeroy, Founding Director of Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Friends and colleagues shared their memories of John C. Pomeroy, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics and the founding director of the Matt and Debra Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Stony Brook University Medical Center, who passed away on January 12.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all who knew and admired Dr. Pomeroy and the remarkable contributions he made throughout his life,” said SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD. “His numerous contributions to the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Stony Brook Medicine, and the broader community continue to have a lasting and meaningful impact on countless lives.”
Gabrielle Carlson, who joined Stony Brook to establish the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, described Pomeroy as “a superb clinician and a great role model for our trainees. He was also a lovely person.”
Before Joining Stony Brook in the 1980s, Pomeroy completed his medical and adult psychiatry training from the University of London in 1973, followed by a specialization in child and Adolescent psychiatry at the University of Iowa. He was the first child and adolescent psychiatrist at Stony Brook, initially serving in a consultation/liaison psychiatrist capacity. He went on to become the director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Department at Putnam Hall.
In 1990, Pomeroy received funding from New York State of Mental Health and OMRDD (now the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities) to develop a continuum of psychiatric care for individuals with dual diagnoses (mental health/developmental disabilities) on Long Island. He also established a fellowship training program for child and adolescent psychiatrists to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities diagnoses. Over his career, he contributed to clinical research, publishing more than 70 articles, abstracts and book chapters.
In 1997, Pomeroy and Lynda Geller founded the Department of Psychiatry’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. By 2001, the division evolved into the Matt and Debra Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, intended to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary services, from diagnosis and education to research, clinical care, and outreach.
Pomeroy’s many accolades include the J. Franklin Robinson Award from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2009 Health Care Professional of the Year (Suffolk County Mental Health Association), Physician of Distinction (Nassau Physicians Foundation), multiple Best/Top Doctors awards, and the Public Service Award from the New York Suffolk County Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
Under his leadership, the Cody Center offered a vast array of services, including diagnostic and treatment programs across the lifespan, social skills programs, parent and sibling support groups, young adult groups, school consultations, vocational support programs, professional workshops, community partnerships, and research initiatives. These programs enriched the lives of countless families and set a high standard for care and outreach.
Pomeroy is survived by his wife, Julia, children Zara and Jonathan, son-in-law John, grandchildren Sienna and Isla, and his sister, Jackie. A memorial service was held January 25. In lieu of flowers, food, or gifts, his family asked that donations be made to Developmental Disability Institute (DDI) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research in his honor.