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Munroe-Meyer Institute

- Services Overview
- Make an Appointment
  Most appointments for MMI's unique range of services for individuals with disabilities are scheduled through our Patient Information Office.
- Diagnosis and Disorders
  Learn about a specific diagnosis or developmental disorder.
- Community Engagement
  We bring together providers, agencies and stakeholders to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and complex health care needs.
- Patient Resources
  Helpful information about insurance, evaluations, interpretive services, lodging and more.
- Request an Interpreter
  We provide qualified language interpreters for our patients with limited English or sign language interpreters for our patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
- Resources Overview
- Civil & Legal Resources
  All people have the right to be included in their community with access to public spaces, housing, education, and employment. Access to civil and legal resources makes this easier for people with disabilities.
- Legislation and Disability Policy
  MMI serves as an expert resource to state and federal policymakers on issues impacting individuals with disabilities and their families.
- Leadership & Advocacy Opportunities
  There are many opportunities for individuals with disabilities and family members to become involved in leadership roles.
- Lifespan Resources
  We help families with children who have disabilities navigate resources available across childhood to early adulthood.
- Education Overview
- Departments & Programs
  Our clinical departments provide learning opportunities for students in professional training programs within UNMC, the state of Nebraska and across the country.
- Parents & Caregivers
  Learn about our leadership and advocacy training opportunities for parents and caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Job Shadow
  Many of our programs and services offer job shadowing opportunities.
- Continuing Education
  At MMI, you'll find professional development and continuing education opportunities, including leadership training, workshops and clinical experiences in genetics grand rounds.
- Research Overview
- Faculty Research
  We work in basic, applied, translational and evaluative research in every one of our programs and disciplines.
- Student Research
  Assisting MMI faculty in their research efforts are numerous post-doctoral fellows, doctoral interns, graduate and undergraduate students from across the nation.
- Active Research Studies
  Explore MMI research studies recruiting participants.

Sawyer Stender, BA

Sawyer Stender, BA

Sawyer Stender, BA, is an Adaptive Therapy Specialist in the Recreational Therapy Department at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Languages Spoken: English

Professional Bio

Stender's experience with the institute started in 2007 when she began volunteering for the summer camp program at age 12. After years of periodic volunteering, she became a part-time recreational technician in 2014 and joined the staff full-time in 2023. Previously, Stender worked full-time as a service coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, developmental disabilities department. Stender was excited to take on the role of planning and administrating the Adaptive Sports Program as well as Urban Adventures – MMI’s adult weekend outing program. She loves the free-flowing creativity and the community connections her position provides. She enjoys making meaningful connections with participants, their families, volunteers and fellow staff.

Focus Areas

Adaptive sports.
Community integration.

Close up of hands using cell phone; Credit John Mark Smith, Pexels.

Enroll in a Program

Contact the MMI Recreational Therapy Department directly to learn more about enrolling in a program.