Honor bestowed on Kavita Parikh, MD, MSHS
“I am honored to step into this role, driven by a vision that every child can thrive when hospitals and communities work hand-in-hand,” Dr. Parikh says.
Children’s National Hospital named Kavita Parikh, MD, MSHS, the Wendy Goldberg Professor of Translational Research in Child Health and Community Partnerships.
Dr. Parikh serves as Medical Director of Quality and Safety Research within the Center for Translational Research and Research Director of the Division of Hospital Medicine. She is also a Professor of Pediatrics with tenure at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The big picture
Dr. Parikh joins a distinguished group of Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Children’s National is grateful to generous donors who have funded 51 professorships.
Professorships support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient’s achievements and the donor’s commitment to advancing and sustaining knowledge.
Why it matters
As a pediatric hospital medicine attending, Dr. Parikh cares for some of the most high-risk and vulnerable children. She has a firsthand view of the barriers families face, uniquely positioning her to recognize the urgent need for improved care access beyond the hospital. Dr. Parikh also values collaboration with other community organizations to develop sustainable solutions to support families outside the hospital.
“I am honored to step into this role, driven by a vision that every child can thrive when hospitals and communities work hand-in-hand,” Dr. Parikh says. “By connecting families and community partners, our hospital system can transform Hospital to Home care into a bridge for better health and brighter futures. I look forward to building strong teams and leading work that turns data into action and partnerships into progress. By strengthening the Hospital to Home journey, we can close gaps, lift barriers and create healthier futures for children.”
Moving the field forward
Wendy and Fred Goldberg, through their vision and generosity, are ensuring that Dr. Parikh and future holders of the Wendy Goldberg Professorship in Translational Research in Child Health and Community Partnerships align around a shared goal: strengthening the health and well-being of children by building data-informed, deeply collaborative partnerships that extend beyond the walls of the hospital. The Professorship will enable bold, new initiatives to elevate community engagement to avoid hospitalization and, where necessary, make the Hospital-to-Home transition easier and more effective for the many children whose conditions are exacerbated by living in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Through strategic partnerships that address the needs of these communities, Dr. Parikh and her team will help bolster the health and well-being of children.
Wendy and Fred have a long philanthropic and volunteer leadership history at Children’s National. Fred served on the Children’s National Board and as chair of the Legal Affairs and Audit Committee. Wendy served on the Children’s National Board as well as the Safe Kids Worldwide Board, the HSC Board, the HSCSN Board, the Children’s School Services Board, Board of Visitors and the Children’s National Hospital Foundation Board. She also chaired the Children’s National Advocacy and Public Policy Board for many years. The Goldbergs share a particular interest in connecting community initiatives to hospital innovations.
“There are so many children and families who are living with serious chronic conditions, like asthma and diabetes, for example,” Wendy and Fred state. “Lack of access to quality food, unhealthy physical environments and even a parent’s mental health, can worsen these conditions and cause kids to miss school and make frequent emergency room visits. That’s why translational research and forging strong community alliances are necessary. Together, they help physician-scientists find real-world solutions to these public health challenges. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kavita Parikh to this vital role!”
