For more than three decades, Dr. Moris Angulo, MD, has been a tireless champion for people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), in exam rooms, at conferences, across continents, and in the hearts of the families he serves.
Born in the small town of El Tránsito, El Salvador, Dr. Angulo’s journey to becoming a board-certified pediatrician, medical geneticist, and pediatric endocrinologist began with humble roots. Having known what it means to be in need, he has spent his career “paying it forward” – transforming lives with the same generosity once shown to him.
Today, as Director of Medical Genetics and Assistant Director of Pediatric Endocrinology at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY, Dr. Angulo cares for approximately 400 individuals with PWS. To his patients (his beloved Pee-Wee’s) he is more than a doctor; he is a trusted friend, a frequent and beloved attendee at New York PWS chapter events, and the host of an annual holiday party filled with joy and laughter.
His work extends far beyond New York. Dr. Angulo has personally funded and undertaken medical outreach to countries such as Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Chile, and his native El Salvador. Whether providing training for physicians, securing life-saving medications, or delivering a much-needed microscope to a hospital in Honduras, he has turned compassion into action. He has welcomed international families into his own home, counseled countless others via email, and bridged language barriers to bring specialized care to Spanish-speaking communities worldwide.
Professionally, Dr. Angulo has helped shape the global standard of care for PWS. He played a pivotal role in securing approval for the general use of Growth Hormone (GH) therapy in children with PWS, a breakthrough that dramatically improves height, muscle mass, bone development, and quality of life. His groundbreaking 1996 publication on GH therapy helped pave the way for an international consensus that GH treatment should be available to all children with PWS without unnecessary barriers.
In addition to his clinical care and advocacy, Dr. Angulo has co-authored 13 peer-reviewed articles, participated in multiple clinical trials, and published 90 works cited more than 2,300 times. He serves on the Clinical and Scientific Board of the International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation (IPWSO) and the Clinical Advisory Board of PWSA | USA.
According to a past interview with IPWSO, when asked if he plans to retire, Dr. Angulo’s answer was simple: “No, not as long as I love my work – and I especially enjoy working with my Pee-Wee’s.”
As one colleague reflected after watching him interact with patients at a gala dance floor: “Look what a difference you have made in their lives!” For Dr. Angulo, that difference isn’t measured in awards or titles, though he’s been recognized as a Top Doctor by the Global Directory of Who’s Who, but in hugs, smiles, and the knowledge that his life’s work has brought health and hope to thousands.
Thank you, Dr. Angulo, for all you have done and continue to do for the PWS community.
Journey of Hope Gala Honorees
Dr. Moris Angulo
Dr. Merlin Butler
Dr. Susie Cassidy
Fausta Deterling
Gene Deterling (Posthumously)
Dr. Dan Driscoll
Joan Gardner
Jim Gardner (Posthumously)
Janalee Heinemann
Dr. Vanja Holm (Posthumously)
Jim Kane
Lota Mitchell
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.