Yale Bulletin and Calendar

May 19, 2000

Volume 28, Number 32

Marrakech honors two at Yale
for their volunteer contributions

Yale staff members Dr. Robert S. White and Jeffrey Euben have been honored for their outstanding contributions to Marrakech, a local non-profit organization serving people with special needs.

Founded in 1971 by three psychologists -- Susan Waisbren, Frances Brody and Seymour Sarason, two Yale graduates and a professor emeritus in the psychology department, respectively -- Marrakech was responsible for establishing the first halfway house in Connecticut for women with mental retardation. Today, with networks throughout the state, the organization has created programs and services to support 600 men, women and children with a range of disabilities and needs, from mental retardation and mental illness to homelessness and chronic unemployment.

At its annual Founder's dinner this month, the organization bestowed awards on people who have "helped to continue the mission and vision of the founders of Marrakech."

White, who is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Yale, received the Founder's Award for his pioneering work with patients with multiple mental disabilities. Euben, who is the manager of videoconferencing services, received the second annual Suzanne Jovin Volunteer of the Year Award for his hands-on support of Marrakech's overall purpose. The award, which recognizes volunteer efforts beyond the call of duty, is named in memory of the Yale student who was murdered in 1998. Jovin was a volunteer with the Best Buddy Program for individuals with mental retardation, which operates under the auspices of Marrakech.

White's award is for developing a method of diagnosis and treatment for patients who are mentally retarded and who have an additional disability, such as psychosis, autism, depression or behavior-control issues. According to White, these patients tend to be non-verbal, which makes it difficult to diagnose their problems. He notes that standard medical schools do not offer training for dealing with this population, with the result that treatment often does not meet the specific needs of individual patients.

White's method is based on inferring diagnoses from the "behavioral equivalent" of particular mental disorders. He helps to train teams of psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatrists in the practical application of this behavioral-equivalent method, now widely used by Marrakech providers.

Euben, who serves on the board of directors for Marrakech, was cited for his contributions to the many fund-raisers the organization holds each year, as well as for his photography for Marrakech's annual report. Of his honor, Euben says he was recognized, in part, for "cooking up food all day" at the ziti dinner held as a Marrakech fund-raiser.

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