MMI celebrates five years on Pine Street

A cardboard cake, adorned with streamers and stuffed with balloons, was displayed in the corner of the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s lobby.

The festive décor was part of the institute’s High 5 event, celebrating five years in its building at 6902 Pine St.

The celebration happened to fall on the 107^th anniversary of stakeholders establishing the institute.

“The growth over time has been amazing,” said MMI Dean and Director Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD. “The building is five years old, and it’s a testament to the generosity of the community and the respect the community has for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

An MMI visitor holds a cup filled with pink liquid during a hands-on activity at the institute's High 5 event. — Guests at the High 5 event were able to try hands-on activities, like extracting DNA from strawberries.

About 60 guests attended the event, which had stations set up around the building’s first and second floors. The booths showcased different departments and programs, including recreation therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, the integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, speech-language pathology, specialized behavior intervention, pediatric feeding, pediatric primary care, the Blackford Research Lab, the Family Care Enhancement Project and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Hands-on activities let attendees craft a piece of the old building’s yellow awning into a bookmark, bracelet or keychain. They also were invited to write a compliment, thank you or wish for the future on a large banner.

Ethan Costello has been to MMI many times, said his sister Emily Costello.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s awesome.”

In addition to accompanying her brother to the institute, Emily Costello also used to work in UCEDD.

“I was a little girl sitting in an observation room at his appointments,” she said. “Now, being grown up, I see this beautiful building. We’re lucky to have it.”

Participating in MMI programming for several years has given Aaron McDonald and his family a chance to experience both the old and the current MMI location.

While the new building is nice, said his mother Brianne McDonald, “the people are what make the space so great.”

That’s a sentiment that Dr. Mirnics echoed.

“The building is wonderful, but it’s about the people — families and providers, the amazing faculty and staff,” he said. “I want to thank them for showcasing the breadth of what we’re doing here.”

Four family members pose in a photo booth set up at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.

A guest visits with members of MMI's Department of Speech-Language Pathology in the MMI lobby.

At left, a family poses in the photo booth at MMI’s High 5 event. At right, a visitor chats with members of MMI’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology. The event offered hands-on activities, participant art and informational displays.