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16th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
ACYF Commissioner's Award Book
Alonna Knorr Norberg, MD |
North DakotaDr. Alonna Knorr Norberg, a pediatrician with specialized training in child maltreatment, child sexual abuse, and pediatric emergency medicine, returned to her native North Dakota in 2002 in response to what she identifies as “divine intervention.” Divinity certainly seemed to be looking over North Dakota's shoulder that day, as Dr. Norberg almost immediately became a driving force via her affiliation with MeritCare to revitalize a multidisciplinary effort to create a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in the State. Working with 18 public and private community groups, across professional and state lines with jurisdictions in neighboring Minnesota, she enabled the Red River Children's Advocacy Center to become a reality in 2004. Further, Dr. Norberg spearheaded a successful effort to secure State funding for both of North Dakota's Children's Advocacy Centers. Again, working across disciplines, she met with policymakers, lobbyists, and other interested parties, as well as provided legislative testimony of her experiences examining traumatized children, in the effort to build necessary public support for funding. She now serves as the Medical Director of the Red River Children's Advocacy Center, performing examinations of traumatized children, providing medical expertise statewide by consulting with physicians and prosecutors, and offering expert court testimony on behalf of traumatized children. In her work, Dr. Norberg reassures frightened children with her soft voice and gentle manner. A champion of children, her heart of gold and backbone of steel assure a powerful advocate on their behalf. |