Munroe-Meyer Institute

J. Michael Leibowitz, Ph.D.

Unlocking potential in children with developmental disabilities is what J. Michael Leibowitz, Ph.D., strives for each day at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI).

Dr. Leibowitz’s vision is to create the premier interdisciplinary center on disabilities in the Midwest through compassionate care, practical education and first-of-its-kind research.

Originally from New York City, Dr. Leibowitz came to UNMC in 1974 from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he was associate director of psychological services at the Kennedy Institute.

Dr. Leibowitz enhanced MMI’s psychological services before he was named the deputy director, a position he held for 20-plus years.

In 2008, he was chosen from a national search of candidates to become only the third director of MMI, Nebraska’s federally-designated University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities.

With a bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. all in psychology, Dr. Leibowitz’s research interests include the study of behavior problems in young children.

In addition to his duties as director, Dr. Leibowitz is a Hattie B. Munroe endowed chair and serves as a professor of medical psychology and section chief of rehabilitation medicine in UNMC’s Department of Pediatrics.