When you hear the name Dr. Raun Melmed, you immediately think of impressive facts such as:
- Co-founder of the Southwest Autism Resource and Research Center (SARRC),
- Founder of the Developmental Behavioral Pediatric program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and
- Founder of the Melmed Center
Dr. Melmed has made it his personal mission to have a positive impact on the lives of children and individuals with attentional, developmental and learning challenges. It is a mission that has been dear to him for decades.
“In the early 90s, there seemed to be a deluge of families with children with autism coming through my doors with so many questions,” said Dr. Melmed. “I could not help but feel at a loss for answers. What caused this? What treatments are there? Where are the programs? What works and what doesn’t?”
When the answers weren’t easily forthcoming, Dr. Melmed, Denise Resnik and Cindy Schneider decided to find the answers and create a center to bring those answers to families. That curiosity, dedication, vision and drive to serve others created SARRC.
Those are just some of the facts that you may know about Dr. Melmed. But did you know that he is a native of South Africa? Did you know that before coming to Arizona, he studied in both New York and Boston? Or that in addition to his medical work, he is a director of the Lexis Preparatory Academy. He is also the proud husband to Helen, the loving father of four daughters and the doting grandfather to three grandchildren. They are his love and his legacy.
SARRC is also a legacy of Dr. Melmed. It is a legacy that he hopes will continue for decades to come. That is the reason that he is a member of SARRC’s Legacy Circle. “Like every proud parent, I cannot wait to see how SARRC evolves and grows over time,” he said. “One of my proudest moments is when I reflect knowing that I participated in the co-founding of such an amazing institution.”
Like a parent, Dr. Melmed has watched how SARRC has grown from a concept to a thriving organization that provides more treatment programs, initiatives, research projects, and services than ever before. He has seen how SARRC added resources to positively impact the lives of children and adults with autism. But he also sees that there is much more that can be achieved as the need for SARRC’s programs and services continues to increase and large segments of the population are still in need of support.
“I want to make sure that there are resources — financial along with the human capital — that will ensure SARRC’s ongoing success in addressing its noble mission.”
With his membership in the Legacy Circle, Dr. Melmed is strengthening the foundation of the center he helped to create. Your contribution to SARRC will make that foundation even stronger. Funds provided through Legacy Circle pledges will sustain SARRC for decades to come, allowing us to continue the vital work that the founders envisioned.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Legacy Circle member and ensuring the continued vitality and growth of SARRC’s services from one generation to the next, please contact Beth Salazar at [email protected] or 602-340-8717, ext. 1039.
