Awards and Honors Archives

Honor bestowed on Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH

February 21, 2025

Children’s National Hospital named Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, the Fight For Children Distinguished Chair of Academic Medicine at Children’s National.

Dr. Kuppermann serves as executive vice president and chief academic officer at Children’s National. He is the director of the Children’s National Research Institute and the chair of the Department of Pediatrics and associate dean of Pediatric Academic Affairs at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The big picture

Dr. Kuppermann joins a distinguished group of Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold endowed chairs. Children’s National is grateful to generous donors who have funded 49 professorships.

Professorships support groundbreaking research and innovation on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and therapies in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient’s achievements and donor’s commitment to advancing and sustaining knowledge.

Why it matters

Dr. Kuppermann is a pediatric emergency medicine physician, clinical epidemiologist and leader in emergency medical services for children. He specializes in clinical trials and clinical prediction rules using large cohorts of acutely ill and injured children. He is world-renowned for his research and mentorship.

“I was drawn to Children’s National by its nationally recognized work and dedication to innovation and team science,” says Dr. Kuppermann. “I’m eager to contribute to the remarkable work being done in both the research and education space to continue to improve the understanding, prevention and treatment of childhood diseases.”

Fight For Children’s support ensures that Dr. Kuppermann and future holders of this professorship will launch bold, new initiatives to rapidly advance pediatric medical research, elevate our leadership and improve the lives of children in our community and around the world.

Moving the field forward

Fight For Children was founded in 1990 by the late Joseph (Joe) E. Robert, Jr., with the mission of improving the lives of underserved children in the nation’s capital. The organization has impacted the lives of more than 400,000 young people throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.

Fight For Children endowed the Fight For Children Chair in Academic Medicine in 1997 to support the clinical research initiatives of the Chief Academic Officer. Most recently, in 2019, they made a $5M gift to create the Fight For Children Sports Medicine Center at Children’s National. It is the region’s first site dedicated to the orthopedic surgery, sports medicine and comprehensive concussion needs of young athletes.

Joe Robert was an entrepreneur and visionary who believed in the importance of investing in children through education and healthcare. His largest gift to Children’s National created and endowed our Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Center for Surgical Care. He was also instrumental in developing the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National, created in 2009 with a $150 million gift from the government of Abu Dhabi.

“Joe’s legacy continues to be represented through the incredible work being done at Children’s National,” says David Fensterheim, chairman and interim CEO of Fight For Children. “Dr. Kuppermann is a pioneer in pediatric healthcare. We are proud to honor his cutting-edge vision as the latest holder of this prestigious professorship.”

This professorship embodies Joe’s legacy and Fight For Children’s commitment to inspire others to think bigger and differently to advance pediatric healthcare for children in the community and beyond.

Children’s National designated as Pediatric PKD Center of Excellence

February 18, 2025

The Inherited & Polycystic Kidney Disease (IPKD) Program within the Division of Nephrology at Children’s National Hospital has earned the prestigious designation of Pediatric Center of Excellence by the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation, the only U.S. organization focused solely on advancing treatments and finding a cure for PKD.

This elite recognition is granted to nephrology practices and clinics that meet the PKD Foundation’s rigorous, patient-centered criteria for specialized PKD care. As a designated Pediatric Center of Excellence, the IPKD Program at Children’s National is recognized for its extensive experience in treating children with PKD and providing multidisciplinary care to meet the unique needs of this patient population. Awarded to only four pediatric hospitals nationwide, this highly selective honor underscores the program’s unwavering commitment to excellence in both patient care and PKD research.

“This achievement is a result of the strong partnership between the PKD Foundation and our Division of Nephrology, working together to elevate the standard of PKD care for our patients and their families,” says Ashima Gulati, MD, PhD, Pediatric Nephrologist and Director of the IPKD Program at Children’s National.

“As providers in the PKD community, we are reminded that our work is part of a broader network, with our patients and caregivers at the heart of everything we do. I’m thrilled that the Division of Nephrology at Children’s National is playing a key role in this initiative, which aligns with the PKD Foundation’s mission to advance promising therapies into clinical practice while ensuring the best possible care for PKD patients today,” Dr. Gulati added.

Marius George Linguraru appointed as president of the MICCAI Society

January 29, 2025

“MICCAI has been a professional home for me throughout my career and I am deeply honored to have a chance to give back to the organization,” said Dr. Linguraru.

We’re pleased to announce that Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MSc, Connor Family professor and endowed chair in Research and Innovation at Children’s National, has been elected as president of the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) Society board of directors. Dr. Linguraru has been involved in the society since he attended his first MICCAI conference in 2001. He was elected to the board of directors in 2021 and chairs the Career Development Working Group. Dr. Linguraru was instrumental in establishing the MICCAI Mentorship Program, the MICCAI Start-up Village and the AFRICAI Special Interest Group. He also served as the program chair of MICCAI 2024, which received and reviewed a record number of paper submissions. He will begin his three-year term as president on February 1, 2025. Watch Dr. Linguraru’s brief inaugural message to members here.

“MICCAI has been a professional home for me throughout my career and I am deeply honored to have a chance to give back to the organization,” said Dr. Linguraru. “I believe the society is poised not just to meet the challenges of the next few years, but to thrive as an essential leadership forum for the growth of medical image computing, computer assisted intervention and artificial intelligence in healthcare.”

Dr. Linguraru leads the AI research initiatives at Children’s National and serves as principal investigator in the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. His award-winning team builds artificial intelligence applications to expand health equity and access to pediatric healthcare when diseases are rare and resources are limited. Through partnerships between Children’s National and Virginia Tech and Microsoft, Dr. Linguraru also plays an integral role in exploring how generative AI can improve pediatric care.

Meanwhile, Caroline Essert, PhD, MSc, completes her term as president of the MICCAI Society on January 31, 2025.

“It has been an honor to contribute to the growth and vibrancy of this incredible community,” said Dr. Essert. “I extend my warmest welcome to Dr. Linguraru as the incoming president of the MICCAI Board. I am confident that under his leadership, the MICCAI Society will reach new heights and continue to serve as a beacon of excellence in our field.” Read her full farewell message here.

To learn more about the MICCAI Society, click here.

William D. Gaillard, MD, receives 2024 Clinical Science Research Award from AES

January 21, 2025

For his groundbreaking research in pediatric epilepsy care, William D. Gaillard, MD, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Clinical Science Research Award by the American Epilepsy Society (AES).

Dr. Gaillard serves as chief of the Divisions of Child Neurology and of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program and associate director of the Center for Neuroscience Research at Children’s National Hospital. He also is Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the George Washington University School of Medicine, adjunct Professor of Neurology at Georgetown University and adjunct professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park. He holds the endowed Chair for Epilepsy and Neurophysiology.

About the award

This esteemed award, presented annually at AES, recognizes leading researchers whose work significantly contributes to the understanding and treatment of epilepsy. Dr. Gaillard’s groundbreaking research, which combines advanced imaging techniques with a focus on epilepsy and cognitive systems, has paved the way for important advances in the field of pediatric epilepsy care.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers for the research I have conducted to improve the lives of children with epilepsy,” said Dr. Gaillard.

Dr. Gaillard’s work continues to have a profound impact on the field of pediatric neurology and epilepsy research. His commitment to advancing both scientific understanding and clinical outcomes for children with epilepsy has earned him the highest accolades from the AES. This recognition not only honors his past achievements but also highlights his ongoing contributions to the field, ensuring a brighter future for pediatric epilepsy care.

Honor bestowed on Adré Jacques du Plessis, M.B.Ch.B.

January 8, 2025

Dr. du Plessis joins a distinguished group of Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair.

Children’s National Hospital named Adré Jacques du Plessis, M.B.Ch.B., as The People of the United Arab Emirates Distinguished Professor of Prenatal Pediatrics.

Dr. du Plessis serves as director of the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, division chief of Prenatal and Transitional Pediatrics and director of the Prenatal-Neonatal Neuroscience Program at Children’s National. In addition, Dr. du Plessis is a professor of pediatrics and neurology at George Washington University School of Medicine.

The big picture

Dr. du Plessis 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 altogether have funded 49 professorships.

Professorships support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These prestigious appointments reflect the recipient’s achievements and a donor’s commitment to advancing and sustaining knowledge.

Why it matters

Dr. du Plessis is a leading international expert in the normal and abnormal development of the brain, as well as the mechanisms of injury to the immature brain. Under his leadership, the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute provides personalized specialty care to patients before, during and after their baby’s birth. His career-long research focus has been on the nervous system of the fetus and newborn, and the hazards for, and mechanisms of, brain injury and its prevention.

Moving the field forward

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established this distinguished professorship as part of its recent philanthropic commitment to Children’s National, which is set to further life-changing research breakthroughs and care for children worldwide. The UAE’s visionary generosity enables Dr. du Plessis and future holders of this professorship to launch bold new initiatives. The professorship will offer a platform to advance the field of prenatal, neonatal and maternal research and care while elevating our leadership and improving outcomes for children who need neonatal care.

Children’s National has been honored to treat patients from the UAE for more than 30 years, with more than 100 Emirati families traveling between the Emirates and Children’s National each year for advanced pediatric care and life-saving treatments.

The UAE’s long-standing philanthropic partnership with Children’s National has resulted in the 2009 establishment of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation (SZI), the 2021 launch of the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus, 82 U.S. patents and countless medical breakthroughs for kids and their families. Through this transformational partnership, the UAE and Children’s National are unlocking new possibilities for pediatric medicine and accomplishing what once was thought impossible. Children’s National remains deeply grateful to the UAE for its extraordinary support.

Advancing epilepsy care: Highlights from the 2024 American Epilepsy Society Conference

January 7, 2025

Dr. Gaillard, Dr. Schreiber and Dr. Cohen from Children’s National Hospital at the 2024 American Epilepsy Society meeting.

The 2024 American Epilepsy Society (AES) conference, held over five days, brought together healthcare professionals, scientists and industry leaders from around the globe. This annual event focuses on advancing outcomes for people with epilepsy through educational sessions, cutting-edge research and the latest technological innovations.

Recognized amongst his peers as an international leader in epilepsy research, William D. Gaillard, M.D., was honored with the 2024 Clinical Science Research Award at this year’s meeting. His pioneering work has significantly enhanced our understanding of epilepsy’s impact on brain structure and has led to improvements in surgical interventions and patient outcomes. Dr. Gaillard’s ongoing contributions to enhancing the lives of children with epilepsy earned him the Society’s most prestigious research award.

Dr. Gaillard serves as chief of the Divisions of Child Neurology and of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program and Associate Director of the Center for Neuroscience Research at Children’s National Hospital.

In addition to Dr. Gaillard, experts from the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s National were invited to present their research, insights and innovations during the conference. As a recognized Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, the program’s collaborative team is recognized worldwide for their leadership in improving the lives of children with epilepsy through personalized care, advanced technology and groundbreaking research.

Highlights from AES 2024 include:

Sanam Zarei, M.D., Children’s National Hospital Neurology fellow, presenting a poster at AES 2024.

Dr. Zarei, Children’s National Hospital Neurology fellow, presenting a poster at AES 2024.

Poster presentations:

Asymmetrical Hippocampal-cortical Connectivity Along Lateral-Medial Axis in Pediatric Focal Epilepsy Patients by Hua Xie, Ph.D., Chloe A. Hooker, William D. Gaillard, M.D.
Comorbidities and Concerns in Hypothalamic Hamartoma: Results of an International Caregiver Survey by Nathan Cohen, M.D.
Automated and Interpretable Detection of Hippocampal Sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy: AID-HS by Nathan Cohen, M.D.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Pediatric Patients with Prolonged Convulsive Status Epilepticus by William D. Gaillard, M.D.
High Accuracy for Detecting Tonic Clonic seizures (TCSs) Using an Apple Watch Seizure Detector by Dewi Depositario-Cabacar, M.D., William Gaillard, M.D.
Patient and Pre-surgical Testing Characteristics Contributing to Duration of Evaluation: Identifying Best Practices and Opportunities to Streamline Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Evaluation by Dewi Depositario-Cabacar, M.D., William Gaillard, M.D.
Seizure Burden in Infants with Hemimegaloencephaly pre- and post Staged Transarterial Embolization by Ersida Buraniqi, M.D., Shani Israel, Lindsay Ruffini, CPNP, CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC, Tammy Tsuchida, M.D., Ph.D., Tayyba Anwar, M.D.
Acute Postoperative Seizures (APOS) in Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Occurring Less Than 7 Days versus Greater Than 7 to 30 Days: Is There a Difference in Long Term Outcome? by Sanam Zarei, M.D., Kathryn Havens, PA-C, Nathan Cohen, M.D., John Schreiber, M.D., Thuy-Anh Vu, M.D., William Gaillard, M.D., Dewi Depositario-Cabacar, M.D.

Invited speakers and topics:

Speaker: John Schreiber, M.D., Moving Forward: Epilepsies with Concomitant Movement Disorders
Speaker: Laura Tochen, M.D., Moving Forward: Epilepsies with Concomitant Movement Disorders
Speaker: William Gaillard, M.D., US Health Care Inequities for People with Epilepsy
Session Moderator: Nathan Cohen, M.D., Neuroimaging

Learn more about the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s National Hospital.