Paul S. Simons, MD ’67
Paul S. Simons, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University, is known throughout the pediatric community for his tireless dedication to the treatment of children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral disabilities.
As a clinician with a keen interest in and ability to identify child mental health problems in a primary-care setting, Simons took it upon himself to become an expert in developmental and behavioral pediatrics before there were subspecialty boards or formal educational programs available. By teaching, accepting referrals, and judiciously collaborating with clinicians in related fields, he was able to carry out the work of attending to patients and families affected by disorders ranging from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disorders to autism, intellectual disability, and other complex developmental disorders.
In addition, he ensured that countless medical students and residents received in-depth exposure to developmental and behavioral pediatrics — the only such training available at the time. Simons himself became board certified in 2002 when the Subspecialty Developmental Pediatric Boards were first offered.
A consummate supporter of the research mission of the School of Medicine to investigate child mental health problems, Simons contributed heavily to the enrollment of clinical research subjects from his clinical practice into research protocols. His patients, Washington University psychiatry, and the entire pediatric community have benefited greatly from the school’s psychiatric studies of depression, autism, bipolar disease, and attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Over the course of his career, developmental and behavioral disorders — most notably ADD and autism — have gained much greater visibility and understanding. Simons has been a consistent, respected voice in the national pediatric dialogue on these disorders, remaining a steadfast advocate for patients. For the past 13 years, he has headed a monthly conference at the medical center on developmental and behavioral pediatric topics for community pediatricians and allied health professionals.
Simons was named the Professional of the Year by the Learning Disabilities Association of St. Louis, and has been listed in Best Doctors in America since 1998. He has served as director of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics since 2009. For many years, Simons has served on the professional advisory boards for Miriam School and the Churchill Center and School for Learning Disabilities. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Simons earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in 1967. He completed residency training at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center.
The Washington University Medical Center Alumni Association is pleased to present its Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Simons.