Dr Siegfreid Pueschel studied Medicine in Germany and graduated from the Medical Academy of Dusseldorf in Germany with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1960. He then pursued his paediatric residency training at the Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts and the Montreal Children's Hospital in Quebec, Canada. Subsequently, he was a Fellow in Biochemical Genetics and Metabolism.
In 1967 he earned a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health, in 1985 he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, and in 1996 he was granted a Doctor of Juris degree from the Southern New England Law School.
From 1967 to 1975 Siegfried worked at the Developmental Evaluation Clinic of the Children's Hospital, Boston. There he became Director of the first Down syndrome programme and provided leadership to the PKU and Inborn Errors of Metabolism Programme. In 1975 he was appointed Director of the Child Development Centre at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
He continued to pursue his clinical activities, research and teaching in the field of developmental disabilities, inborn errors of metabolism and Down syndrome. He has lectured both nationally and internationally, has authored or co-authored 15 books and has written over 250 scientific articles.
Siegfried is certified by both the American Board of Paediatrics and by the American Board of Medical Genetics. His academic appointments include Lecturer in Paediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and Professor of Paediatrics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Siegfried had a son with Down syndrome, Christian, who was an inspiration throughout his short life. He taught us that there should be recognition of the dignity and worth of all people with Down syndrome.
