DDC Clinic Board names interim executive director

The Board of Directors for DDC Clinic – Center for Special Needs Children recently announced that Scott Brace will be the interim executive director, replacing Blake Andres who left the nonprofit medical center earlier this month.

Located in Middlefield, DDC Clinic delivers medical care to special needs children affected by rare genetic disorders.

“We’re excited to have Scott take an expanded role within our clinic,” Board President Don Daut said in a news release.

“Scott joined DDC Clinic’s Board of Directors in 2015, and has volunteered to temporarily serve as an unpaid interim executive director.”

Brace brings 45 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and was a founding board member of the New Leaf Center in Mt. Eaton, Ohio, the release stated.

Prior to his retirement, Brace was the superintendent of the Holmes County Training Center for 13 years where half of the infants, children and adults served were Amish.

He recently served as a consultant to help start and fund the Sunshine Training Center located next to DDC Clinic.

“I’m looking forward to working more closely with our staff over the coming months,” Brace said in the release.

“DDC Clinic plays such an essential role in this community. As we start a new chapter, I’m eager to assist Dr. (Heng) Wang and his team as they continue to enhance the quality of life for people with special needs caused by rare genetic disorders.”

Founded in 1998 by five local Amish families, DDC Clinic now serves over 1,000 patient families in 30 states and several foreign countries.

The clinic was built on the “medical home” concept defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It provides comprehensive and personalized medical care for special children with over 70 different rare conditions, the release stated.

The clinic has an inhouse certified clinical genetics laboratory and staff conducts patient-centered research seeking faster diagnoses, better understanding and improved treatments for children, the release stated.