Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies Offers Adults and Children Help and Hope
University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital allergy/immunology specialists provide comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative services for adults and children with immunologic diseases, including primary and severe combined immunodeficiencies. Primary immunodeficiency (PI) causes children and adults to have infections that come back frequently or are unusually hard to cure. An estimated 1 out of 500 persons are affected by one of the known primary immunodeficiencies. Our Inborn Errors of Immunity Clinic offers world-class patient care dedicated to improving the lives of people born with these conditions.
Innovative Diagnostics for Primary Immune Deficiency (PID) Disorders
Board-certified physicians at the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies provide evaluation and treatment of chronically sick children and adults with recurrent infections, such as ear infections, pneumonia, sinusitis and diagnosis and care for patients with immunodeficiency diseases. Additionally, our physicians are leaders in innovative diagnostics for primary immunodeficiency disorders, including:
- Common variable immune deficiency
- Complement deficiency
- DiGeorge syndrome
- Hereditary angioedema
- Hypogammaglobulinemia
- IgA deficiency
- Selective antibody deficiency
- Severe combined immune deficiency
- Variety of phagocytic defects
Comprehensive Testing and Treatment at the Center
Comprehensive testing at the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center may include:
- Blood testing
- Delayed type skin testing
- Vaccine administration
Comprehensive treatment at the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center may include:
- Immunoglobulin Replacement therapy
- Administration of preventative antibiotics
- Bone marrow transplantation, in collaboration with pediatric hematology/oncology specialists
The Jeffrey Model Foundation
The Jeffrey Modell Foundation was established by Vicki and Fred Modell in memory of their son Jeffrey, who died at the age of 15 of a primary immunodeficiency. The Foundation is dedicated to early and precise diagnosis, meaningful treatments and ultimately cures of primary immunodeficiencies.
Jeffrey Modell was a sweet, cheerful, outgoing kid. He was a good student, played tennis, basketball, and loved camping. He went to rock concerts and had a girlfriend. He was a lot like every other boy his age, except Jeffrey got sick very often.
Jeffrey’s parents took him to the best doctors at the most prestigious hospitals for diagnosis and treatment. His life was filled with normal, happy times but was frequently disrupted with sudden high fevers, bronchitis, sinusitis and other infections, leading to extended periods on medication and lengthy hospital stays. Plans for fun activities were made in spite of the strong possibility that Jeffrey might be too sick to attend. Even periods of good health were strained with the ever-present threat of sudden illness. Jeffrey longed for a normal life or even a disease that people had heard of before. Two decades ago, no one knew very much about primary immunodeficiencies. They were considered so rare that many doctors knew too little about them and had even fewer treatment options. Lay people had never heard of it. It was not at the top of many research agendas.
Jeffrey endured the very real hardships of not only his physical illness, but also the social and emotional distress that often accompanies PI. At 15 years old, his condition overwhelmed him and took his life. Inspired by both his courage and his optimism, it is in this spirit that the Jeffrey Modell Foundation was created.
Convenient Locations
The Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center offers services at the following locations:
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
216-844-3237
UH Landerbrook Health Center
5850 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 220
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124}
440-646-2626
UH Medina Health Center
4001 Carrick Drive, Suite 220
Medina, Ohio 44256
330-721-8577
UH Westlake Health Center
960 Clague Road, Suite 1600
Westlake, Ohio 44145
440-827-2981
UH Twinsburg Health Center
8819 Commons Boulevard, Suite 202
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
234-837-6682