Tag Archive for: endowed chair

Roberta Debiasi

Roberta L. DeBiasi, M.D., M.S., named as Robert H. Parrott Professor of Pediatric Research

Roberta Debiasi

“This wonderful honor will greatly benefit the work of our Infectious Disease Division, and I look forward to working to utilize it to its full potential,” says Dr. DeBiasi.

Children’s National Hospital named Roberta L. DeBiasi, M.D., M.S., as the Robert H. Parrott Professor of Pediatric Research at Children’s National Hospital.

Dr. DeBiasi is chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s National. She leads the hospital’s response to emerging and highly contagious diseases and co-leads the Children’s National Congenital Infection Program. Dr. DeBiasi is a Principal Investigator in the Center for Translational Research at Children’s National Research Institute. She is a tenured Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine at George Washington University.

About the award

Professorships at Children’s National support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient’s achievements and donor’s forethought to advance and sustain knowledge. The Robert H. Parrott Professorship in Pediatric Research is one of 47 endowed chairs at Children’s National.

Dr. DeBiasi leads a multidisciplinary team of experts caring for children with infectious diseases and tracking disease transmission to help limit spread and prevent outbreaks. The Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases is a key referral center in the Washington, D.C., area, helping thousands of patients each year. The division also promotes prevention through community outreach and education.

Dr. DeBiasi’s wide-ranging research portfolio includes studies and clinical trials focused on COVID-19, MIS-C, influenza, Ebola, Lyme disease, Zika and other infections affecting pregnant women, newborns and children. She is the institutional lead of the Lyme Clinical Trials Network, and Principal Investigator for a study focused on long term outcomes in children with all stages of Lyme Disease in partnership with the National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. She also leads COVID-19 and MIS-C research at Children’s National and is Principal Investigator of a 3-year comprehensive longitudinal study of outcomes in children with COVID-19 and MIS-C in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health. Dr. DeBiasi has authored more than 120 original research, review articles and book chapters. Her research awards include the Infectious Diseases Society of America Young Investigator Award and the John Horsley Prize from the University of Virginia.

“This Chair is particularly meaningful to me because Dr. Parrott was a legendary leader,” says Dr. DeBiasi. “I have read and heard about his legacy at Children’s National for many years. Additionally, he was a virologist, and the focus of my academic career and research has been virology. This wonderful honor will greatly benefit the work of our Infectious Disease Division, and I look forward to working to utilize it to its full potential.”

About the donors

The Robert H. Parrott Professorship in Pediatric Research is supported by many generous donors, including the Charles Engelhard Foundation and the Diane and Norman Bernstein Foundation, Inc.  Through their vision and generosity, these donors are ensuring that Dr. DeBiasi and future holders of this professorship will launch bold, new initiatives to rapidly advance the field of pediatric infectious diseases, elevate our leadership and improve the health of children in the nation’s capital and around the world.

Eugene Hwang

Eugene Hwang, M.D., named as William Seamus Hughes Professor of Neuro-oncology and Immunology

Eugene HwangChildren’s National Hospital named Eugene Hwang, M.D., the inaugural William Seamus Hughes Professor of Neuro-oncology and Immunology. This professorship is the first at Children’s National to focus exclusively on these two pediatric specialties.

Dr. Hwang serves as associate chief of oncology, director of the Clinical Neuro-oncology Immunotherapeutics Program and director of the Neuro-oncology Fellowship Program. He is an associate professor of pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

About the award

Dr. Hwang joins a distinguished group of 42 Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Professorships at Children’s National support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient’s achievements and donor’s forethought to advance and sustain knowledge.

Dr. Hwang has dedicated much of his career to the pursuit of new therapies that improve outcomes for children with brain cancer. He has led many early phase clinical trials on immunotherapeutics, gene therapy and new targeted agents. He participates in international studies focused on reducing harmful side effects of standard treatments. He serves as the principal investigator for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium and co-chairs their Immunotherapy Working Group. Dr. Hwang also lends his time to grant review committees and the scientific advisory boards of several large foundations.

Claire and Kevin Hughes, through their vision and generosity, are ensuring that Dr. Hwang and future holders of this professorship will launch new initiatives to rapidly advance the fields of pediatric neuro-oncology and immunotherapy, elevate our leadership and improve outcomes for children diagnosed with brain cancer.

About the donors

Claire and Kevin Hughes established this professorship with support from community partners in loving memory of their son William Seamus Hughes (Willie). Their dedication to giving all children a chance for life has helped launch groundbreaking trials and research at Children’s National, including one of the first trials in the U.S. to use cell therapy to treat brain tumors.

“Working with Willie meant working with a young man who embodied a resilient, cheerful spirit that was truly remarkable,” said Dr. Hwang. “It meant fighting side-by-side with a walking inspiration, who I continue to remember and who continues to drive the mission of curing childhood brain cancer. I’m deeply honored to ensure that Willie’s spirit and bravery lives on in the promise to other families that face a devastating brain tumor diagnosis.”

Abstract Happy 2022 New Year greeting card with light bulb

The best of 2022 from Innovation District

Abstract Happy 2022 New Year greeting card with light bulbA clinical trial testing a new drug to increase growth in children with short stature. The first ever high-intensity focused ultrasound procedure on a pediatric patient with neurofibromatosis. A low dose gene therapy vector that restores the ability of injured muscle fibers to repair. These were among the most popular articles we published on Innovation District in 2022. Read on for our full top 10 list.

1. Vosoritide shows promise for children with certain genetic growth disorders

Preliminary results from a phase II clinical trial at Children’s National Hospital showed that a new drug, vosoritide, can increase growth in children with certain growth disorders. This was the first clinical trial in the world testing vosoritide in children with certain genetic causes of short stature.
(2 min. read)

2. Children’s National uses HIFU to perform first ever non-invasive brain tumor procedure

Children’s National Hospital successfully performed the first ever high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) non-invasive procedure on a pediatric patient with neurofibromatosis. This was the youngest patient to undergo HIFU treatment in the world.
(3 min. read)

3. Gene therapy offers potential long-term treatment for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B

Using a single injection of a low dose gene therapy vector, researchers at Children’s National restored the ability of injured muscle fibers to repair in a way that reduced muscle degeneration and enhanced the functioning of the diseased muscle.
(3 min. read)

4. Catherine Bollard, M.D., M.B.Ch.B., selected to lead global Cancer Grand Challenges team

A world-class team of researchers co-led by Catherine Bollard, M.D., M.B.Ch.B., director of the Center for Cancer and Immunology Research at Children’s National, was selected to receive a $25m Cancer Grand Challenges award to tackle solid tumors in children.
(4 min. read)

5. New telehealth command center redefines hospital care

Children’s National opened a new telehealth command center that uses cutting-edge technology to keep continuous watch over children with critical heart disease. The center offers improved collaborative communication to better help predict and prevent major events, like cardiac arrest.
(2 min. read)

6. Monika Goyal, M.D., recognized as the first endowed chair of Women in Science and Health

Children’s National named Monika Goyal, M.D., M.S.C.E., associate chief of Emergency Medicine, as the first endowed chair of Women in Science and Health (WISH) for her outstanding contributions in biomedical research.
(2 min. read)

7. Brain tumor team performs first ever LIFU procedure on pediatric DIPG patient

A team at Children’s National performed the first treatment with sonodynamic therapy utilizing low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) medication on a pediatric patient. The treatment was done noninvasively through an intact skull.
(3 min. read)

8. COVID-19’s impact on pregnant women and their babies

In an editorial, Roberta L. DeBiasi, M.D., M.S., provided a comprehensive review of what is known about the harmful effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women themselves, the effects on their newborns, the negative impact on the placenta and what still is unknown amid the rapidly evolving field.
(2 min. read)

9. Staged surgical hybrid strategy changes outcome for baby born with HLHS

Doctors at Children’s National used a staged, hybrid cardiac surgical strategy to care for a patient who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) at 28-weeks-old. Hybrid heart procedures blend traditional surgery and a minimally invasive interventional, or catheter-based, procedure.
(4 min. read)

10. 2022: Pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstructive surgery today

In a review article in Seminars in Pediatric Surgery, Marc Levitt, M.D., chief of the Division of Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction at Children’s National, discussed the history of pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstructive surgery and described the key advances that have improved patients’ lives.
(11 min. read)

Lee Beers and Catherine Limperopoulos

Lee Beers, M.D., and Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., named A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professors

Lee Beers and Catherine Limperopoulos

Lee Beers, M.D., and Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., have been named A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professors by Children’s National Hospital.

Children’s National Hospital named Lee Savio Beers, M.D., as the A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professor of Early Childhood Intervention and Advocacy. She serves as the medical director for Community Health and Advocacy at Children’s National.

Children’s National Hospital also named Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., as the A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professor of Maternal-Infant Health. She serves as chief and director of the Developing Brain Institute and director of Research for the Prenatal Pediatrics Institute at Children’s National.

About the award

Drs. Beers and Limperopoulos join a distinguished group of 42 Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Professorships support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families. They foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect each recipient’s achievements and a donor’s forethought to advance and sustain knowledge.

Dr. Beers has spent her life dedicated to bringing together the diverse voices of pediatricians, children and families to improve the health of all children. She previously served as the 2021 president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She currently oversees the Child Health Advocacy Institute’s Community Mental Health CORE (Collaboration, Outreach, Research and Equity). It includes initiatives such as the Early Childhood Innovation Network and serves as a catalyst to elevate the standard of mental health care for every young person in Washington, D.C. Dr. Beers’ clinical and research interests include the integration of mental health and pediatric primary care, the impact of adversity and stress on child well-being and advocacy education.

Dr. Limperopoulos is at the forefront of clinical research and translational efforts focused on accelerating screening, diagnosing, treating and preventing prenatal onset brain disorders to improve child health and well-being for life. Her research seeks to understand the impact of an adverse intra- and extra-uterine environment on the developing brain and its long-term neurodevelopmental repercussions. She is founder and director of the District of Columbia Perinatal Consortium. It brings together regional stakeholders in obstetrics, psychiatry, pediatrics and the community to determine the optimal delivery of screening and low-cost interventions aimed at reducing health disparities experienced by women in under-resourced Washington, D.C., communities.

Drs. Beers and Limperopoulos are champions in their respective and rapidly growing fields. Together, they are blazing new trails for young children and their families. Their important work through the Clark Parent & Child Network is improving the lives of children in our community today while advancing knowledge to inspire the next generation of leaders.

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, through their vision and generosity, are ensuring that

Drs. Beers and Limperopoulos and future holders of these distinguished professorships will launch bold, new initiatives to rapidly advance the fields of early childhood development and maternal-infant health, elevate the hospital’s leadership and improve the lifetimes of young children.

About the donors

The Clark Foundation supports the work of organizations with strong leadership and values that reflect those of its founder, A. James Clark. Its mission is to ensure that these organizations have the resources they need to grow and support their communities today and in the future. Mr. Clark founded Clark Construction Group, which transformed the landscape of Washington, D.C., with its many projects, including Children’s National Hospital’s main campus. Mr. Clark was dedicated to giving back to the communities where he lived and worked. This includes longstanding support for Children’s National through strategic investments in genetic medicine, early childhood development, family resiliency and child mental health.

“The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation’s investments at Children’s National have created the foundation of one of the most significant philanthropic partnerships in our hospital’s history. Its most recent investment in the Clark Parent & Child Network, led by Drs. Beers and Limperopoulos, gives young families in Washington, D.C., greater access to vital mental health care and community resources. The Network is advancing our mission to build a healthy foundation for all kids so they can grow up stronger. The two new Clark Distinguished Professorships held by Drs. Beers and Limperopoulos will advance this vital work far into the future. We are proud to carry forward the legacy of Mr. Clark and the Clark family through these distinguished chairs.” –Kurt Newman, M.D., President & CEO, Children’s National Hospital

Ricardo Munoz

Ricardo Munoz, M.D., named MacCutcheon Family Professor in Cardiac Critical Care Medicine

Ricardo MunozChildren’s National Hospital named Ricardo Munoz, M.D., the MacCutcheon Family Professor in Cardiac Critical Care Medicine at Children’s National Hospital.

Dr. Munoz serves as chief of the Division of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine, executive director of Telehealth, and co-director of Children’s National Heart Institute at Children’s National Hospital. He is professor of pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and the main editor of several books in pediatric cardiac critical care medicine.

About the award

Dr. Munoz joins a distinguished group of 42 Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Professorships at Children’s National support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient’s achievements and donor’s forethought to advance and sustain knowledge.

As chief of the Division of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Munoz leads a multidisciplinary team of specially trained physicians in providing intensive pediatric cardiac critical care. Dr. Munoz is credited as pioneering telemedicine for pediatric critical care, dedicated to increasing access and quality care for children with special hearts in the nation’s capital and across the world.

The MacCutcheon Family Foundation, through their vision and generosity, are ensuring that Dr. Munoz and future holders of this professorship will launch bold, new initiatives to rapidly advance the field of pediatric cardiac critical care, elevate our leadership and improve the lifetimes of children with special hearts.

About the donors

Jim MacCutcheon’s involvement with Children’s National dates back to 1983. He has served in many leadership positions, most notably on the Children’s National and Children’s National Hospital Foundation board of directors. Jim and his daughters, Megan MacCutcheon, Candice Kessler and Colleen Crowley have supported Children’s National Heart Institute by funding the development of the MacCutcheon Cardiovascular Operating Suite and the Halle MacCutcheon Playroom on the heart and kidney unit. They have also provided support for the Peter Holbrook Endowed Lecture in Critical Care Medicine, the mobile health clinic and various events and capital improvement projects.

The MacCutcheon family’s investment to establish the MacCutcheon Family Professorship in Cardiac Critical Care Medicine allows Dr. Munoz and his team to provide innovative care utilizing telemedicine and artificial intelligence in support of our patients with special hearts.

Monika Goyal

Monika Goyal, M.D., recognized as the first endowed chair of Women in Science and Health

Monika Goyal

Dr. Goyal’s tireless efforts continue to push boundaries.

Children’s National Hospital named Monika Goyal, M.D., M.S.C.E., associate chief of Emergency Medicine, as the first endowed chair of Women in Science and Health (WISH) for her outstanding contributions in biomedical research.

About the award

Women have long been underrecognized in science. The WISH endowed chair, provided by the Children’s National Research Institute, hopes to change this, explained Vittorio Gallo, Ph.D., interim chief academic officer at Children’s National.

“Recent research shows that women academics in medicine are less likely to hold an endowed chair position than their male peers,” he said. “Therefore, it is crucial our institutions fully commit to exceptional women researchers by providing strong support and recognizing their accomplishments and contributions.”

Several influential women in health and science from across Children’s National strongly supported Dr. Goyal’s nomination, including Joelle Simpson, M.D., Naomi Luban, M.D., Catherine Bollard, M.D., M.B.Ch.B., Randy Streisand, Ph.D., Lisa Guay-Woodford, M.D., and Denice Cora-Bramble, M.D., M.B.A.

The big picture

With a track record of research focused on health equity – including studies on racial inequities in managing pain in the emergency department, racial and socioeconomic disparities in COVID rates among children, and development of interventions to mitigate disparities in sexual health outcomes for youth –  Dr. Goyal’s tireless efforts continue to push boundaries. Her research shines a spotlight on the toll of racism, bias and discrimination on the health of children.

“I am inspired by how far we’ve come yet humbled by how far we have yet to go,” Dr. Goyal said. “I hope to continue to be part of the movement that works to achieve equity both in health care outcomes as well as in our workforce.”

What they’re saying

After being named the first endowed chair of WISH, Dr. Goyal said she felt hopeful that times are changing and women are increasingly being recognized for their accomplishments.

“I am grateful for all the mentors and sponsors who have helped clear the path for me and excited to continue on this journey, helping pave new roads and build new bridges for all those who are on their way,” she said.

Dr. Goyal has been a trailblazer and has shone a spotlight on the power of pediatric emergency medicine, said Dr. Simpson, division chief of Emergency Medicine at Children’s National.

“She not only touches the lives of her patients though her research, but she’s a mentor to her colleagues and trainees,” she added. “Part of being recognized as a leader woman in science and health is symbolic of what others can achieve in this career when you’re passionate about what you do.”

Dr. Cora-Bramble, chief diversity officer at Children’s National and one of Dr. Goyal’s mentors, said she has proudly watched her mentee blossom. According to Dr. Cora-Bramble, Dr. Goyal blends unique skills as a brilliant child health equity researcher and a passionate advocate for those impacted by her work.

“Monika has earned this honor,” she said. “She is unrelenting in her quest to answer vexing questions and can communicate, at times troubling, findings from her research fluently and transparently.”

Stephen Teach does an asthma exam

Stephen J. Teach, M.D., MPH, inaugural holder of new endowed chair

Stephen Teach does an asthma exam

Stephen J. Teach, M.D., M.P.H., has been named the inaugural Wendy Goldberg Professor in Translational Research in Child Health and Community Partnerships. This professorship comes with an endowed chair at Children’s National Health System.

The prestigious honor is given for the duration of Dr. Teach’s (and future chair holders’) employment at Children’s National. The award’s namesake, Wendy Goldberg, and her husband, Fred T. Goldberg Jr., are among the brightest stars in the constellation of Children’s National supporters, says Dr. Teach, Associate Dean for Pediatric Academic Affairs and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

In addition to serving on many Children’s boards, in the mid-2000s the Goldbergs made a $250,000 gift that benefited Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in the District of Columbia (IMPACT DC), Dr. Teach’s award-winning program to improve clinical care, empower patients and families, and conduct new research to improve patients’ outcomes.

“In recognition of the anchor aims of Children’s new strategic plan, the Goldbergs wanted this new gift to focus on the intersection of community health and research,” Dr. Teach says. “Thanks to their generosity, my team will work with community partners to use data to drive improvements in population health.”

With the dedicated funding Dr. Teach was able to hire a new staffer, Caitlin Munoz, to help mine electronic health records to create disease-specific registries that include 15,000 children and adolescents – the lion’s share of kids younger than 17 who live in Washington and have asthma.

“For the first time, we will be able to describe in granular detail the near-universe of local children who have this chronic respiratory disease,” he says. “We will be able to describe many of the most clinically meaningful aspects of nearly every child with asthma who lives in D.C., including mean age, gender, ethnicity and mean number visits to the emergency department.”

Such a richly textured database will help identify children who should be prescribed daily controller medications to help them avoid missing school days due to asthma exacerbations, he says. The next pediatric chronic disease they will track via registry will be pediatric obesity via elevated body mass index.

“That, in and of itself, is insightful data. But the enduring impact of this applied research is it will inform our continuous quality-improvement efforts,” he adds.

By querying the registries the team will be able to tell, for example, how Children’s primary care centers rank comparatively by asking such questions as which percentage of kids with asthma actually take the medicines they had been prescribed the year prior.

“Increasingly, clinical research falls into one of two buckets. You can either do better things: That’s discovering new drugs or processes, like our ongoing clinical trial to desensitize kids to asthma allergens. Or, you can do things better. We often know what to do already. We know that guideline-based asthma care works well. We don’t need to prove that again. We just need to do things better by getting this care to the kids who need it. That’s where this line of research/quality improvement comes in: It’s getting people to do things better.”