Member Spotlight 

Name: Elizabeth Kurfiss Watts

Location: Delhi, Louisiana

Member since: 1994

Employment: Assistant Administrator for Delta American Healthcare, Inc

Why did you join AAIDD?  I wanted to learn from the leaders in our field so that I could provide the best support possible to the people that we serve.  I have also learned the value of networking and have made some awesome friends through my affiliation with AAIDD and my career in the field of IDD.

Why did you choose the field of intellectual disability? When I was about 7 years old, our mom took us to the local fair and I saw a lady pushing a person with IDD in a wheelchair and I remember telling my mom that I wanted to work with people like that when I got older.  When I was 18, I started my first job in the field of IDD as a lifeguard and even though I have changed agencies and positions, I have experience in large ICF ‘s, community homes, day programs and waiver services. 

AAIDD Leadership Positions: I have served on the AAIDD – LA  Board in various capacities:  Secretary, Vice President, President, Member At Large, and currently the President.  I also served on the Conference Planning Committee for AAIDD -LA since 1995 and was the conference chair in 1998.  I have also served on the local arrangements committee for the AAIDD National Conferences in 1999 and 2009.  I received a Fellowship in 2021.