Dr. Anna Mandalakas

Dr. Anna Mandalakas directs the Adoption Health Service and plays an active role in the Northeast Ohio adoption community to support child-centered adoption. In addition to the many clinical services she provides through our Adoption Health Service, she routinely provides lectures to raise community awareness about the special needs of children adopted internationally. Her educational efforts have been directed towards a wide variety of audiences including parents, teachers, psychologists, school administrators, community physicians, nurses, and health care professionals in training. In recognition of these efforts, the Adoption Network Cleveland chose Dr. Mandalakas as the 2003 Triad Advocate of the Year. Upcoming lectures of Dr. Mandalakas and other members of the Adoption Health Service may be found on our website.

Dr. Mandalakas completed her undergraduate studies in Medical Anthropology at Case Western Reserve University. After obtaining her medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, she returned to Cleveland and completed her Pediatric Residency (1997) and International Child Health Fellowship (2000) at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Additionally, she received her Master’s degree in Epidemiology from Case Western Reserve University (2000).

Dr. Mandalakas is currently funded by the National Institute of Health to research cost-effective screening in children adopted internationally. Dr. Mandalakas is actively involved in collaborative research addressing several other major issues of concern in internationally adopted children including attachment, developmental delays, fetal alcohol syndrome and other infectious diseases.

Dr. Mandalakas also serve as Medical Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

Therese Dragga, RN

Therese Dragga graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. She has cared for children and their families at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital since 1981, and joined the Adoption Health Service in 2002. Therese provides extensive education for families throughout the adoption process. She maintains certification as a CPR instructor. Therese also volunteers for MedWish International, an organization that collects surplus medical supplies and then distributes them to other parts of the world where they are needed.

Anette Martin, Division Secretary