Meetings

ISPAD logo

Children’s National researchers joined ISPAD’s 50th anniversary conference

ISPAD logoResearchers from Children’s National Hospital participated in the 50th anniversary conference of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) in Lisbon, Portugal. As the only global organization dedicated to all forms of childhood diabetes, ISPAD promotes clinical and basic science, research, education and advocacy for children and adolescents with diabetes. The conference provided members worldwide with a platform to exchange scientific and clinical insights on pediatric and adolescent diabetes.

Poster presentations:

The participation of Children’s National researchers highlights their commitment to advancing diabetes care and research for children and adolescents. By collaborating with global experts, they continue to contribute collective efforts to improve outcomes for young people living with diabetes worldwide.

Learn more about these presentations here.

American Pediatric Society logo

Children’s National expands 2025 American Pediatric Society class with new inductees

American Pediatric Society logoChildren’s National Hospital has expanded its class of American Pediatric Society (APS) members with three new inductees for 2025. The newest APS members include Ioannis Koutroulis, MD, PhD, MBA, research director and emergency medicine physician, Beth Tarini, MD, MPH, MBA, co-director of the Center for Translational Research, and Pavan Zaveri, MD, MEd, emergency medicine physician.

Dr. Tarini will also receive the 2025 Norman J. Siegel New Member Outstanding Science Award for her considerable contributions to pediatric science during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2025 Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 24 – April 28.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Norman J. Siegel New Member Outstanding Science Award from the American Pediatric Society,” said Dr. Tarini. “This recognition is a testament to the steadfast encouragement and support I have received from my mentors, colleagues, and family throughout my journey. I consider the opportunity to conduct research that optimizes health services for children and their families a privilege and a joy.”

APS members are recognized child health leaders of extraordinary achievement who work together to shape the future of academic pediatrics. Current members nominate new members by recognizing individuals who have distinguished themselves as child health leaders, teachers, scholars, policymakers and clinicians.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as a member of the American Pediatric Society,” said Dr. Zaveri. “I look forward to the opportunity to engage with esteemed leaders in pediatrics across various disciplines as we work together to advance the society’s mission and contribute to the growth of pediatrics through research and mentorship.”

Benefits of APS membership include:

  • Recognition and acknowledgment as a leader in pediatrics: APS members include individuals who have distinguished themselves as academic leaders, teachers and researchers whose contributions to academic pediatrics have garnered national and international recognition.
  • A network of child health professionals: Membership in APS is dedicated to the advancement of child health through the promotion of pediatric research, recognition of achievement and cultivation of excellence through advocacy, scholarship, education and leadership development.
  • Advocacy for child health: In order to speak with one voice on behalf of child health, APS provides representation in Washington, D.C., through the Pediatric Policy Council which combines the advocacy efforts of the APS, the Society for Pediatric Research, the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs and the Academic Pediatric Association.

“I am grateful to accept this honor from the APS,” said Dr. Koutroulis. “As both a physician and a researcher, I look forward to collaborating with distinguished experts within this network to help advance the development of pediatric care.”

Attendees at Sidra Medicine's 4th annual Pediatric Neuroscience Conference (PNC 2024)

Insights and Innovations in Pediatric Neuroscience: Highlights from PNC 2024

Attendees at Sidra Medicine's 4th annual Pediatric Neuroscience Conference (PNC 2024)
Children’s National Hospital served as a strategic partner for Sidra Medicine’s 4th annual Pediatric Neuroscience Conference (PNC 2024) which took place in Doha, Qatar. This collaboration emphasizes a mutual commitment to advancing pediatric neurological care and research.

The conference offered a robust platform for presenting groundbreaking research and clinical advancements across diverse subfields such as pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-critical care, neurogenetics, neuroimmunology and neuroradiology. Esteemed medical professionals and researchers from around the world convened to share insights and innovations that are shaping the future of pediatric neurological health.

Various speakers from Children’s National led in-depth discussions on diagnostic and therapeutic innovations aimed at enhancing outcomes for children with chronic neurological and neurosurgical conditions. PNC 2024 provided an excellent platform for healthcare professionals, researchers and academics to update their knowledge and engage with leading specialists in the field.

Presenters and topics from Children’s National included:
Attendees at Sidra Medicine's 4th annual Pediatric Neuroscience Conference (PNC 2024)

The collaborative efforts with Sidra Medicine highlight a shared vision of pushing the boundaries of pediatric neurological research and treatment, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for young patients worldwide.

photograph of a pile of insulin pumps

CME Webinar: Delaying Type 1 Diabetes: Early Antibody Screening and Use of Teplizumab in Children

In this webinar, Shideh Majidi, M.D., M.S.C.S., director of the Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes Program at Children’s National Hospital, discussed early antibody screening and use of teplizumab in children.

Key takeaways

  • Current state of type 1 diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is characterized by absolute insulin deficiency due to pancreatic beta-cell destruction, often diagnosed in childhood but can occur in adults as well. It requires lifelong insulin management.
  • Increased risk and screening: Individuals with family members who have T1D are at higher risk of developing T1D, but most newly diagnosed cases have no family history. Early screening can help reduce diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) rates and improve management.
  • Stages of type 1 diabetes: T1D is classified into three stages: Stage 1 (normal blood sugars with 2 or more autoantibodies), Stage 2 (dysglycemia with 2 or more autoantibodies), and Stage 3 (clinical T1D requiring insulin).
  • Early screening and follow-up: Screening for diabetes autoantibodies can be done through various programs and labs. Follow-up involves regular monitoring based on the number of antibodies and blood sugar levels. If patients have antibodies or abnormal blood sugars, they can be referred to the T1Delay Program at Children’s National (through an endocrine/diabetes referral).
  • Teplizumab (T-zield) treatment: T-zield is an FDA-approved treatment for delaying the onset of Stage 3 T1D in individuals aged 8 and older with Stage 2 T1D. It involves a 14-day infusion regimen and has been shown to delay insulin need by a median of 2 years.
  • Clinical implementation and support: Children’s National offers T-zield treatment through a multi-departmental effort. The program aims to improve both quality of life and clinical outcomes for patients.

More information

  • For more information on this webinar, as well as access to the presentation slide deck, visit our website.
  • To register for future CME opportunities or view past presentations, visit childrensnational.org/Webinars.
Title slide from Dr. Hershenson's webinar

CME Webinar: Pre-participation Cardiac Screening of Teenage Athletes: Goals, Challenges and Pitfalls

In this webinar, Jared Hershenson, M.D., pediatric cardiologist and medical director of Cardiac Exercise and Rehabilitation at Children’s National Hospital, discussed the importance, methods, challenges and recommendations of pre-participation cardiac screening, as well as secondary prevention and eligibility recommendations for athletes with known congenital heart disease.

Key takeaways

  • Importance of cardiac screening: Although sudden cardiac death in young athletes is rare, its impact is devastating, and screening aims to prevent such occurrences.
  • Causes of sudden cardiac death: Key causes include arrhythmia syndromes, cardiomyopathies, congenital coronary abnormalities and other undiagnosed congenital heart diseases.
  • Screening methods: Screening involves history and physical exams, with forms based on AHA and AAP guidelines, and may include ECGs and other tests, although these methods have limitations.
  • Challenges in screening: The sensitivity and specificity of pre-participation exams are low, and there is a lack of uniformity in how screenings are conducted, leading to potential false positives and negatives.
  • Debate on ECG screening: While ECG screening can improve sensitivity and specificity, it also has issues like false positives, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety and additional testing.
  • Secondary prevention: Secondary prevention focuses on having emergency action plans and AEDs in schools to manage sudden cardiac arrest effectively, reducing the risk of death and complications.
  • Eligibility recommendations: Guidelines for athletes with congenital heart disease emphasize individualized assessments to determine safe participation in sports, but there is a need to shift the focus to promoting physical activity rather than restricting given the long-term benefits of exercise and the low risk of sudden cardiac events.
  • Shared decision making: Shared decision making involves discussing the benefits and risks of sports participation with patients and their families, ensuring informed decisions about participation in physical activities.

More information

  • For more information on this webinar, as well as access to the presentation slide deck, visit our website.
  • To register for future CME opportunities or view past presentations, visit childrensnational.org/Webinars.
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Join us at the Congenital Heart Valve Repair Symposium

Photos of pediatric heart valve repairs

Valve repair has emerged as a pivotal aspect of pediatric heart surgery, offering innovative solutions tailored to the unique anatomical and physiological needs of younger patients. The Congenital Heart Valve Repair Symposium, hosted by the Children’s National Heart Center, aims to deepen the understanding of surgical and diagnostic techniques associated with pediatric heart valve repairs. The Symposium will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

About the symposium

This symposium is designed for a multidisciplinary audience, welcoming not only cardiac surgeons but also echocardiographers, cardiologists, nurses, physician assistants and other team members involved in pediatric heart valve repair. By fostering collaboration among various specialists, we can enhance the care provided to our patients. Importantly, attendees will have the opportunity to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, ensuring that participation contributes to both personal and professional development.

Session information

The symposium will focus on the latest surgical and diagnostic techniques in heart valve repair, structured around six interactive sessions featuring expert speakers and engaging discussions. Each session will utilize individual video case presentations, allowing participants to visualize and understand the complexities of pediatric valve repair.

Key topics will include:

  • Balancing aortic valve repair and the Ross procedure: An exploration of the indications, techniques and outcomes.
  • Late atrioventricular (AV) valve reoperation: Insights into the challenges and strategies for successful reoperation.
  • Mitral valve repair: Discussing contemporary approaches and the latest advancements in technique.
  • MRI techniques in valve assessment: Understanding the role of advanced imaging in diagnosis and planning.

Register now

Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights from leading experts in the field of pediatric heart valve repair. The Congenital Heart Valve Repair Symposium promises to be an enriching experience that enhances your clinical practice and improves patient outcomes. We look forward to connecting with you and advancing our shared commitment to excellence in pediatric cardiac care.

Visit our website for registration details and further information.

Audience members at the NIAID Conference

Breaking free of illness: Experts explore solutions for chronic pediatric disorders

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  • Audience members at the NIAID Conference
  • NIAID Conference Attendees
  • A presentation at the NIAID Conference
  • A presentation at the NIAID Conference
  • A presentation at the NIAID Conference
  • Audience members at the NIAID Conference
  • A presentation at the NIAID Conference
  • Audience members at the NIAID Conference
  • A presentation at the NIAID Conference
  • Audience members at the NIAID Conference
  • A presentation at the NIAID Conference
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When new patients with chronic illnesses come to Roberta DeBiasi, M.D., M.S., division chief of Infectious Diseases, they are often drained of energy, far behind in school and fatigued by the lack of coordinated care among multiple specialists. She envisions a better way to care for these children: a data-driven, multidisciplinary clinic that can help diagnose and treat disorders facing chronically ill children.

In a keynote address, Dr. DeBiasi laid out her vision for improving care during the 7th annual symposium hosted by Children’s National Hospital and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): “A new paradigm: Infection-associated chronic illnesses (IACI) affecting children.” Experts from across the country came together to discuss these IACIs, the importance of finding biomarkers to diagnose and monitor them, data-driven therapeutics to treat them, and the urgent need for protocols to guide physicians.

The patient benefit

A range of IACIs – including long COVID, Lyme disease, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), dysautonomia and more – are stealing normal, active lifestyles from children. Dr. DeBiasi said patients need researchers who understand disease pathogenesis and have standardized disease classification to diagnose and treat these disorders. Because of the complexity of these cases, care delivery and coordination also need to change. Patients, she said, would best be served by beginning with a three-hour appointment in a multidisciplinary clinic with experts from behavioral health, rehabilitative medicine and other specialties.

“When one of these patients comes to us, we feel helpless as physicians,” Dr. DeBiasi said. “There’s no diagnostic, and we don’t know how to treat them…. It is, to me, very energizing that we’re going to be able to have a coordinated way to help these families. But to do that, we have to have standardized disease classification.”

Moving the field forward

In 2017, NIAID and Children’s National launched a clinical research partnership devoted to advancing the health of children with allergic, immunologic, auto-inflammatory and infectious diseases through collaborative research and education. The partnership — co-led by H. Clifford Lane, M.D., NIAID’s deputy director for Clinical Research and Special Projects, and Catherine Bollard, M.D., M.B.Ch.B., director of the Center for Cancer and Immunology Research at Children’s National — promotes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of these childhood diseases. Every year, the partnership organizes and funds a symposium to explore cutting-edge research and pressing issues in pediatric care.

At this year’s gathering, experts examined the specifics of various disorders, including Alexandra Yonts, M.D. She provided new data from the Children’s National Post-Covid Program and explained that patients “are clamoring” for help with symptom management.

“There have been virtually no randomized, controlled trials and very little evidence on any sort of aggressive treatments, or pharmaceutical management options, especially in the pediatric population,” Dr. Yonts said. “Upon recent attendance at some long COVID meetings, there is an expressed concern, especially among pediatric providers, about trying medications off-label in these long COVID patients.”

Miss the symposium? You can learn more about the science they explored in the symposium’s recording on topics including:

  • Potential overarching mechanisms of disease, including pathogen- and host-mediated factors.
  • Identifying potential biomarkers for chronic illnesses
  • Treatments and multidisciplinary approaches for patients with IACIs
  • Patient advocacy
AAP 2024 Conference logo

Children’s National Hospital the 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics meeting

Children’s National Hospital-affiliated participants will attend this year’s American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition. The meeting will take place in Orlando, Florida from September 27 to October 1. You will find a mini schedule of sessions below.

Date Time Presenter Title
9/27/2024 8:00:00 AM Briony Varda, M.D. H1016: Section on Surgery Program: Day 1
9/27/2024 8:00:00 AM Briony Varda, M.D. H1017: Section on Urology Program: Day 1
9/27/2024 8:00:00 AM Lowell Frank, M.D., FAAP H1014: Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Program: Day 1
Through the Looking Glass: Using Past Decisions to Inform Current and Future Clinical and Professional Practice
9/27/2024 2:30:00 PM Brian K. Reilly, M.D., FAAP S1208: Sounding the Alarm on Noise: Prevention Is Key
9/27/2024 4:00:00 PM Brandon Kappy, M.D., MPP S1312: Using Lessons From the East Palestine Train Derailment to Prepare for Environmental Disasters
9/28/2024 8:00:00 AM Alicia M. Tucker, M.D. H2013: Section on Obesity Program
9/28/2024 8:00:00 AM Annie L. Andrews, M.D., MSCR H2011: Section on Emergency Medicine Program: Day 2
EmergiQuiz, State of the Section & SOEM Awards Presentations and 2024 PEMPix & Hot Topics in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
9/28/2024 12:00:00 PM Monika Goyal, M.D., M.S.C.E.
 Prevalence of Period Poverty in a Pediatric Emergency Department
9/28/2024 3:30:00 PM Allison Markowsky, M.D., MSHS, FAAP S2412: What’s Trending in the Newborn Nursery: Controversies and Evidence
9/28/2024 5:00:00 PM Bernhard L. “Bud” Wiedermann, M.D., M.A., FAAP S2507: Should I Change My Clinical Practice Based on a Hot New Article? Reading Journals With a Critical Eye
9/29/2024 8:30:00 AM Dennis Ren, M.D. H3022: Section on Emergency Medicine Program: Day 3
Inaugural “Babble Royale” Competition & More Hot Topics in PEM; PediSonoFest
9/29/2024 9:00:00 AM Natasha Shur, M.D. S3208: Genetic Testing Boot Camp
9/29/2024 1:00:00 PM Lamia Soghier, M.D., M.Ed., M.B.A., FAAP H3037: Section on International Medical Graduates Program
Opportunities and Paths for Career Development in Academic Pediatrics
9/29/2024 4:00:00 PM Margaret Rush, M.D., MSHS I3304: Emergencies in the Technology-Dependent Medically Complex Children: What Every Pediatrician Should Know
9/29/2024 5:00:00 PM Anjna Melwani, M.D. S3501: Emergencies in the Technology-Dependent Medically Complex Children: What Every Pediatrician Should Know
9/30/2024 2:00:00 PM Rana F. Hamdy, M.D., M.P.H., MSCE S4302: Diagnosis and Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia
10/1/2024 9:00:00 AM Nathaniel S. Beers, M.D., M.P.A., FAAP S5207: Eliminating Suspension, Expulsion, and Other Harsh Discipline Practices in Schools and Early Education

 

EPOSNA Logo

Global gathering of orthopaedic leaders at EPOSNA Conference

EPOSNA LogoThe 2024 European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (EPOSNA) Conference took place over four days at the National Harbor in Maryland. The event focused on improving the clinical care of children, as well as advancing the education of surgeons and scientific research in pediatric orthopaedics.

“This meeting allows the scientific exchange of ideas that advances our field and allows our treatments and outcomes to improve,” says Matthew Oetgen, M.D., chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National Hospital.

Children’s National at EPOSNA

  • Laura Tosi, M.D., was inducted into the POSNA Hall of Fame.
  • Oetgen and Megan Young, M.D., served as local co-hosts of the conference.
  • Sean A. Tabaie, M.D., joined a newly formed POSNA advocacy group for gun safety measures to combat the alarming increase in pediatric gun violence, often resulting in musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Oetgen moderated a series of sessions that focused on traumatic pediatric injuries.
  • Tabaie presented during the Neuromuscular session, sharing insights on a novel scoring system validated for quantifying foot deformities in children with cerebral palsy.

“By attending and participating in this meeting we keep up with the science, continue learning and improve the care we provide to our patients,” says Dr. Oetgen.

Highlights from the sessions our team attended

  • A study published on a cohort of asymptomatic teenagers in the Netherlands reported an incidence of 6.4% of hip dysplasia.
  • A paper was published looking at differences in femoral version (rotational profile of the femur bone) in periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) patients. It found that patients with painful hip dysplasia had significantly improved hip pain after a PAO in all three femoral version groups.

 

illustration of sickled blood cells

Children’s National experts showcase sickle cell disease research

illustration of sickled blood cellsAndrew Campbell, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease program, assessed the lifetime value of cell and gene therapy (CGTS) through a case study at The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy’s (ASGCT) Annual Meeting.

Dr. Campbell and other Children’s National researchers will be presenting again at the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research’s (FSCDR) Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium, June 7-9, 2024. The symposium includes more than 500 leading researchers, physicians, clinicians and social workers from all over the world.

Here’s a look at the presentations from Children’s National:

Day Time Presenter(s) Title
Sunday, June 9, 2024 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM Andrew Campbell, M.D. Update on Sickle Cell Legislation in the US

 
Sunday, June 9, 2024 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Andrew Campbell, M.D., Deepika Darbari, M.D., and Regine Hyppolite, MSA Diagnostic Potential of Platelet-Neutrophil Ratio (PNR) for Stroke Risk in SCD Children

 
Sunday, June 9, 2024 3:15 PM – 3:30 PM

 

 Andrew Campbell, M.D. A Pilot Study to Increase Naloxone Education and Prescriptions in Sickle Cell Clinics

 
Sunday, June 9, 2024 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM Steven Hardy, Ph.D. Correlation Between VOC and Cognitive Function Using The NIH ToolBox in SCD
Sunday, June 9, 2024 4:15 PM – 4:30 PM

 

 

 Andrew Campbell, M.D., Deepika Darbari, M.D., and Regine Hyppolite, MSA Platelet to neutrophil ratio as a novel marker for monitoring SCD patients on hydroxyurea

 

 

Dr. Anitha John addresses symposium attendees

Addressing long-term brain effects of congenital heart disease

Dr. Anitha John addresses symposium attendees

Dr. Anitha John, medical director of the Washington Adult Congenital Heart Program at Children’s National Hospital, presenting on the lifelong effects of congenital heart disease on brain health at a recent symposium.

About 81% of the 40,000 babies born in the United States with congenital heart disease (CHD) are expected to survive to at least age 35, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As survival rates have increased in recent decades, clinicians treating CHD patients are seeking to improve outcomes by understanding the long-term health effects and complications that arise for them.

Anitha John, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Washington Adult Congenital Heart Program at Children’s National Hospital, presented an overview of what researchers currently know about the lifelong effects of CHD on brain health at a symposium focused on the heart-brain continuum presented by Children’s National Innovation Ventures, CobiCure and JLABS @ Washington, D.C. She also discussed critically needed advancements in monitoring technology to help clinicians better understand and address how CHD affects the brain.

Why it matters

Based on data collected from adults and children with the condition, Dr. John shared that people with CHD face many potential lifelong challenges and risks, which vary based on disease severity:

  • About one-third report a mood disorder, either anxiety or depression
  • 25% higher risk of substandard academic outcomes
  • 50% more likely to require special education services
  • Higher incidence of motor skills impairment
  • Higher lifetime prevalence of ADHD
  • Generally lower educational attainment at adulthood
  • Higher risk of autism spectrum disorders
  • Higher rate of dementia before the age of 65

Why do some people with CHD experience profound, lifelong brain effects? Dr. John notes that clinicians and researchers are seeking those answers, recognizing that they likely involve various factors and accumulating issues that occur over the entire lifespan, from fetal life onward.

Because the heart supplies the brain with oxygen through circulated blood, the diagnostic tool clinicians most want for patients of all ages is a technology that enables noninvasive monitoring of central venous pressure, an indicator of the volume of blood returning to the heart and the pressure within the heart. Currently, the most reliable way to measure this pressure is by an invasive procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the patient’s subclavian or internal jugular vein or by placing a device into the patient’s pulmonary artery. These procedures have limitations and cannot be used for routine surveillance.

What’s next

Dr. John says noninvasive central venous pressure monitoring is important to understanding and addressing what is causing brain injury in CHD patients. She says the challenges in developing this monitoring solution include the need for an individualized approach, a design that accommodates multidisciplinary use, sizing for patients from infants to adulthood, usability for all age groups and avoiding stigma for wearers.

To address this need, the Alliance for Pediatric Device Development – a consortium funded by the Food and Drug Administration and led by Children’s National – is partnering with CobiCure to issue a request for proposals for direct device funding. The goal is to provide funding to innovators who offer solutions to the dire unmet need for pediatric devices that provide noninvasive monitoring of the circulatory system and heart performance. Details will be announced in June 2024.

 

person circling items on mental health summit agenda

Unique alliance expands access to mental health support for kids

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations in the nation, and Children’s National Hospital, a top-ranked children’s hospital located in Washington, D.C., announced a new alliance that’s taking a unique approach to help address the youth mental health crisis and improve health outcomes.

As part of this alliance, CareFirst has increased the reimbursement for preventive and mental health care for primary care providers who go through specialized mental health training focused on depression, suicide prevention, anxiety, ADHD and eating disorders. The training is offered through the Pediatric Health Network, the clinically integrated network of healthcare providers for Children’s National, to its more than 1,500 members including more than 700 primary care physicians.

In 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory detailing an urgent youth mental health crisis. Unfortunately, access to pediatric mental health care is a national challenge, and for children and families, timely and effective support can be elusive. Empowering primary care providers with specialized training will help break down barriers and reshape care delivery.

“Providers face challenges due to limited resources and insufficient support in addressing pediatric mental health needs. CareFirst’s commitment to increasing reimbursement for mental health care underscores the integral role of primary care providers in this space,” says Nathaniel Beers, M.D., executive vice president for Community and Population Health for Children’s National Hospital. “With these trainings, our providers gain the knowledge, tools and confidence to handle sensitive conversations, offer vital support and make informed referrals when needed.”

The alliance executes a value-based care payment model for the Children’s National network of community physicians, enhancing benefits to offer more value to physicians and patients while aiming to drive improved outcomes, patient experience and coordination in care. By embedding mental health care within the familiar confines of primary care settings, this initiative ensures children receive timely interventions in an environment they trust.

This work to improve access to mental health services is just one part of the broader unique payer-provider alliance between CareFirst and Children’s National to address healthcare disparities and social determinants of health. Targeted pediatric interventions are set upon three pillars:

  • Value-based care
  • Community health initiatives
  • Member benefit enhancements

Each pillar is delivered and informed by experts from both organizations with distinct tactics and funding designed for three key priority health conditions:

  • Behavioral and mental health
  • Diabetes
  • Infant mortality

“As the lines continue to blur between payers and providers, with vertical integration and the reimbursement shift from volume to value, insurers and hospitals need to continue to evolve their relationships with each other,” said Brian Wheeler, executive vice president of Health Services for CareFirst. “This model aims to address the need for affordable healthcare, employing a patient-centric approach that encourages seamless treatment for the patient and provider.”

The next major program in development is focused on improving diabetes care through early diagnosis to lessen vulnerability and severity and improve long-term positive health outcomes.

Community health initiatives will continue to be developed through the Children’s National Child Health Advocacy Institute and Community Health programs with the support of CareFirst’s philanthropic efforts.

illustration of diseased liver

Dominant Fontan approach may be associated with increased liver cirrhosis

illustration of diseased liver

The amount of long-term liver cirrhosis in children with single ventricle congenital heart disease who underwent the Fontan procedure may depend on which surgical approach is chosen by the pediatric cardiac surgeon.

The amount of long-term liver cirrhosis in children with single ventricle congenital heart disease who underwent the Fontan procedure may depend on which surgical approach is chosen by the pediatric cardiac surgeon, according to researchers at Children’s National Hospital who presented their findings this week at the American Association of Thoracic Surgery annual meeting. The full manuscript appears in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

What this means

Senior study author Yves d’Udekem, M.D., Ph.D., chief of Cardiac Surgery at Children’s National, says that the vast majority of Fontan procedures in the United States use an extracardiac conduit approach to redirect blood flow to the lungs. However, a retrospective review of 332 patients who underwent the Fontan at Children’s National showed that children who received the extracardiac Fontan may experience liver cirrhosis at a rate of 30% after 15 years compared to the lateral tunnel approach which showed 15-year liver cirrhosis at a significantly lower rate of 4.4%. The lateral tunnel was a well-established method pioneered in Europe by pediatric cardiac surgeon Marc de Leval in the 1980s. This technique lost traction in the field and people started in the 1990s to perform a variation of the technique called the extracardiac Fontan because it was thought that it would be giving more favorable flows and protect the patients against rhythm issues. Thirty years later, these predictions did not reveal themselves to be true.

“Since the 1990s, the vast majority of Fontan procedures in the United States are performed creating an extracardiac conduit rather than the lateral tunnel,” says Dr. d’Udekem. “But what we see when we follow long-term outcomes of these children is a consequence not reported before.”

Children’s National leads the way

Dr. d’Udekem and the research team, including presenter and first author Eiri Kisamori, M.D., a cardiac surgery fellow at Children’s National, are the first to report these findings based on reviews of 15-year outcome data. These retrospective reviews of long-term outcomes are a critical tool to inform and improve clinical approaches with the goal of optimizing the long-term quality of life for children born with these critical congenital conditions.

What’s next

While more research is needed, the authors hypothesize that the size of the conduit for blood flow may be the culprit for higher levels of liver damage. For children who have already received an extracardiac Fontan, Dr. d’Udekem says that widening their existing conduit in a reoperation may successfully improve blood flow to the liver. For future procedures, he notes that in his own practice, he now uses the lateral tunnel approach whenever possible.

Read the study: Alarming rate of liver cirrhosis after the small conduit Extracardiac Fontan. A comparative analysis with the Lateral Tunnel.

2024 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting logo

Children’s National Hospital at the 2024 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting

Children’s National Hospital-affiliated participants will present at this year’s Pediatric Academic Societies meeting. The meeting will take place in Toronto, from May 2-6, 2024. For information on the presentations, please refer to the chart below.

Day Time Presenter(s) Title
5/3/2024 9:00 AM Stacey Stokes, M.D., M.P.H. APA QI: Informatics for Improvers: Leveraging Clinical Decision Support to Propel Data-Driven and Reliable Continuous Improvement
5/3/2024 12:00 PM Rana F. Hamdy, M.D., M.P.H., MSCE A Career in Antimicrobial Stewardship… so Much More to Explore
5/3/2024 12:00 PM Ashima Gulati, M.D., Ph.D., FASN Case Studies in Pediatric Kidney Diseases: Who, When and How to Order Genetic Testing?
5/3/2024 3:45 PM Priti Bhansali, M.D., ME.d. iSPOT an Improvement: Taking Peer Observation and Feedback to the Next Level
5/3/2024 3:45 PM Josepheen De Asis-Cruz, M.D., Ph.D. Maternal psychopathology and SSRI use during pregnancy are associated with altered fetal hippocampal connectivity in utero
5/4/2024 8:00 AM Andrea J. Boudreaux, Psy.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., F.A.C.H.E. A Doctor in the School Nurse’s Office? Bringing a Virtual School Based Program into Practice
5/4/2024 8:00 AM Jessica Hippolyte, M.D., M.P.H. A Practical Approach to a Thorny Issue: Evaluating the Role of Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry in Clinical Decision-Making
5/4/2024 8:00 AM Ashraf S. Harahsheh, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.C. Cardiology 1
5/4/2024 8:00 AM Dewesh Agrawal, M.D. Emergency Medicine 1: Quality and Safety
5/4/2024 8:00 AM Lenore Jarvis, M.D., ME.d.
Amanda Stewart, M.D., M.P.H.		 From Bedside to State House: Daily Advocacy
5/4/2024 8:00 AM Aisha Barber, M.D., ME.d. Unionization in Pediatrics: A Pro-Con Debate
5/4/2024 8:45 AM Jillian E. Nickerson, M.D., M.S. Implementation of tele-psychiatry in an urban pediatric satellite emergency department
5/4/2024 9:00 AM Jessica Weisz, M.D. “TEACH”ing: Evaluation of a 3-Year Multimodal Child Poverty Curriculum
5/4/2024 9:00 AM Tameka T. Watson, M.D. Timing of Growth Failure in Very Premature Infants and Implications for Brain Development
5/4/2024 10:00 AM Neha H. Shah, M.D., M.P.H. Subspecialty Networking Breakout: Pediatric Hospital Medicine
5/4/2024 11:00 AM Lee S. Beers, M.D. AAP Presidential Plenary: Emerging Research on the Intersections of Mental Health, Impact of the Pandemic, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
5/4/2024 11:00 AM Denver Brown, M.D. Implications of SDOH on glomerular disease, hypertension and CKD
5/4/2024 11:15 AM Josepheen De Asis-Cruz, M.D., Ph.D. Associations Between Antenatal Opioid Exposure and Newborn Functional Brain Connectivity
5/4/2024 2:00 PM Ian Chua, M.D., M.H.P.E. Addressing Misinformation & Building Competency for Gender Diverse Patient Care
5/5/2024 8:00 AM Tamara Gayle, M.D., ME.d., M.P.H. APA SIG: Pediatric Hospital Medicine – Creating an Inclusive and Sustainable Workplace
5/5/2024 8:00 AM Suma B. Hoffman, M.D., M.S.
Simranjeet S. Sran, M.E., ME.d., C.H.S.E., F.A.A.P.		 Hands on Workshop: Complex Resuscitations in Neonates and Infants – Managing High Acuity, Low Occurrence (HALO) Events
5/5/2024 8:15 AM Jaytoya Manget, D.N.P., M.S.P.H., F.N.P. Connecting the Dots to Improve Health and Education Equity: Results of A Pilot Program Integrating School Attendance Data into a Pediatric Primary Care
5/5/2024 8:55 AM Aisha Barber, M.D., ME.d. APA Pediatric Hospital Medicine SIG – Creating an Inclusive and Sustainable Workplace
5/5/2024 11:00 AM Nicola Brodie, M.D.
Julie Heier, Ph.D.
Courtney Horton, M.D.
Darcel Jackson, C.P.X.P., L.S.S.G.B.
Emma Whitmyre, Ph.D.		 Challenge Accepted: Integrating Behavioral Health in Primary Care for Children with Medical Complexity and Their Families
5/5/2024 11:00 AM Ian Chua, M.D., M.H.P.E.
Margarita Ramos, M.D., M.S.
Neha H. Shah, M.D., M.P.H.		 Embracing Failure: The Key To Success In Academic Medicine
5/5/2024 11:00 AM Caleb E. Ward, M.B., B.Chir., M.P.H. Emergency Medicine 4
5/5/2024 11:00 AM Dewesh Agrawal, M.D.
Terry Kind, M.D., M.P.H.		 Launching and Landing a Career in Medical Education: From Passion to Profession
5/5/2024 11:00 AM Nathaniel S. Beers, M.D., M.P.A.
Andrea J. Boudreaux, Psy.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., F.A.C.H.E.
Bianca Johnson, M.S.W.
Jaytoya Manget, D.N.P., M.S.P.H., F.N.P.
Jessica Weisz, M.D.		 School Attendance as a Vital Sign: Integrating school attendance into practice to advance health and educational equity
5/5/2024 11:05 AM Sudeepta Basu, M.D. SPR 2023 Bridging to Success Award: GABA-editing spectroscopy for understanding the developing brain in preterm infants.
5/5/2024 2:00 PM Allison M. Jackson, M.D., M.P.H. Child Protective Services Referrals in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: Clinical Practice, Research, & Advocacy
5/5/2024 2:00 PM Josepheen De Asis-Cruz, M.D., Ph.D. In utero SSRI exposure alters fetal cerebral cortical development and structural brain connectivity
5/5/2024 2:00 PM Jeremy Kern, M.D.
Lydia Lissanu, M.D.
Elana Neshkes, M.D.
Laura A. Nicholson, M.S.N., R.N., C.P.N., C.H.S.E.
Grace Quinn, M.D.
Ariella M. Weinstock, M.D., M.S. Ed		 STRIVE for a restorative de-escalation: Strategies for a TRauma-Informed approach using Verbal and Environmental Skills
5/5/2024 2:45 PM Kristen Sgambat, Ph.D., RD Arterial stiffness, body composition, and perception of racism in pediatric kidney transplant recipients
5/5/2024 2:45 PM Sudeepta Basu, M.D. Cerebellar GABA and Glutamate Concentrations at Term-equivalent age Predicts 18-month Cognitive Deficits in Preterm Infants
5/6/2024 8:00 AM Ian Chua, M.D., M.H.P.E.
Gabrina Dixon, M.D., ME.d.
Tamara Gayle, M.D., ME.d., M.P.H.
Margarita Ramos, M.D., M.S.		 Amplify Your Voice: Media Strategies Beyond Conventional Academic Dissemination
5/6/2024 8:00 AM Stacey Stokes, M.D., M.P.H.
Padma Swamy, M.D., M.P.H.		 APA SIG: Health Informatics and Serving the Underserved Combined – Moving the Needle on Social Needs: From Screening to Data Management and Response
5/6/2024 8:00 AM Deena Berkowitz, M.D., M.P.H. APA Urgent Care SIG: You’re Not Too Busy To Think About Promotion: Leveraging Your Current Scholarly Activities For Academic Advancement
5/6/2024 8:30 AM Padma Swamy, M.D., M.P.H. Screening, data sharing, and resource allocation considerations when developing social needs interventions
5/6/2024 1:00 PM Christina Lindgren, M.D. APA Simulation-based Medical Education (SBME) SIG
5/6/2024 1:00 PM Gabrina Dixon, M.D., ME.d. Creating and Optimizing a Visiting Elective at your Institution for Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) Students
5/6/2024 1:00 PM Junghoon Kim, Ph.D. Improved prediction of fetal neurobiological features by censoring high-motion frames in fetal functional MRI
5/6/2024 1:05 PM Christina Lindgren, M.D. Introduction to Conceptual Frameworks for Simulation Based Medical Education
5/6/2024 1:10 PM Suma B. Hoffman, M.D., M.S. Small Group Activity: Name That Conceptual Framework
5/6/2024 2:15 PM Margaret Rush, M.D., M.S.H.S. Racial disparities in hospital length of stay for bacterial tracheostomy associated infections

 

Toronto skyline with AATS logo

Children’s National at the 104th Annual AATS Meeting

Attending the American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 104th Annual Meeting this weekend? Stop by the Children’s National Booth #1315! Here is a look at the topics that our Childrens National Heart Center will be presenting on. We look forward to connecting with you in Toronto.

Name Session & Role Topic Type Date Time Location
Can Yerebakan, M.D. Congenital Scientific Session: Strategies for Management of the Borderline Heart

(Speaker)

 

 Debate: Hybrid is the Default Pathway- Pro Oral Presentation Saturday, April 27, 2024 8:50 a.m. Room 716
Yves d’Udekem, M.D., Ph.D. AATS/CHSS Summit: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

(Commentator)

 

 Are We Getting better? Ongoing Challenges of Atrioventricular Valve Repair in Single Ventricle Patients with Right Ventricular Morphology Oral Presentation Saturday, April 27, 2024 1:30 – 3:56 p.m. Room 716
Yves d’Udekem, M.D., Ph.D. Congenital Rapid Fire Orals – Theater Session I

(Case Video Presenter)

 Early Pulmonary veins Channeling in a Complex Heterotaxia Heart wit Oral Presentation Sunday, April 28, 2024 9:12 a.m. Theater 1
Eiri Kisamori, M.D. Congenital Rapid Fire Orals

(Presenter)

 Alarming Rate of Liver Cirrhosis After the Small Conduit Extracardiac Fontan.

A Comparative Analysis With the Lateral Tunnel.

 Abstract Presentation Sunday, April 28, 2024 11:43 a.m. Room 716
Rittal Mehta, MS, BDS Congenital Poster Session II

(Presenter)

 Navigating the Future of Pediatric Cardiovascular surgery: Insights and Innovation powered by ChatGPT. Poster Presentation Monday, April 29, 2024 8:00 a.m. Poster Area
Can Yerebakan, M.D. Congenital Poster Session II

(Presenter)

 Can Delayed Norwoods in High Risk Patients Achieve Similar Results than Primary Norwood for Low Risk Patients. Poster Presentation Monday, April 29, 2024 8:00 a.m. Poster Area
Arif Selcuk, M.D. Congenital Rapid Fire Orals – Theater Session III

(Presenter)

 Initial Rescue of a High-Risk Newborn by Atrial Kissing Procedure’ for Left Atrium Decompression and Bilateral Pulmonary Artery Banding. Case Video Presentation Monday, April 29, 2024 3:51 p.m. Theater 1
Yves d’Udekem, M.D., Ph.D. Congenital Disasters and Rescues

(Speaker)

 Mitral Valve Repair Techniques in Neonates and Infants’ Rather than a Specific Situation? Oral Presentation Tuesday, April 30, 2024 8:45 a.m. Room 716
illustration of the gastrointestinal tract

Children’s National to host Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Days Meeting

illustration of the gastrointestinal tractThe division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s National Hospital is proud to host the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Days (PIBDRD) Meeting from April 4-5, 2024.

This two-day event will review recent advances in pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research, identify gaps in knowledge in pediatric IBD and identify target areas for future pediatric IBD research. Underlying themes will include sex differences in presentation, disease course and response to treatment; growth; nutrition; and other pediatric chronic inflammatory conditions.

This two-day event offers 13 CME credits and features a robust lineup of experts in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

To review the this year’s agenda and register to attend, visit ChildrensNational.org/PIBDRD.

ICEOS logo

Global summit to address complex pediatric scoliosis

ICEOS logoThe 2023 International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis and the Growing Spine (ICEOS) was a three-day conference for surgeons and health professionals from around the world. The sessions focused on solutions for pediatric spine deformities. Matthew Oetgen, M.D., chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National Hospital, was a member of the faculty.

Session highlights included:

  • Pre-Course: Pediatric Spine Study Group (PSSG) Mini-Research Symposium – Considerations for your biosketch, regulatory and IRB
  • How Do You Propel Your Research Team

“Overall this was a great meeting with valuable content,” says Dr. Oetgen. “Learning and teaching alongside fellow orthopaedic leaders is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved.”

Dr. Oetgen participated in the following sessions:

  • Timing of Hemivertebra Excision
  • Let’s Debate! nView Workshop – 3D imaging and guidance, available technologies for pediatric spine and when to use them
  • Case-Based Learning – Congenital Scoliosis

The 2024 ICEOS Meeting will be November 13-15 in Phoenix, AZ.

IPOS logo

Global gathering of orthopaedic leaders at IPOS

IPOS logoThe 2023 International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium (IPOS) was a comprehensive four-day conference that addressed a wide range of pediatric and adolescent orthopaedic conditions. The meeting focused on hands-on teaching and state-of-the-art surgical approaches to pediatric orthopaedic surgery.

“IPOS is unique in that, unlike many scientific meetings, there is less emphasis on original scientific content,” says Matthew Oetgen, M.D., chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National Hospital and one of the faculty members of the symposium. “Instead, the focus is on providing instruction, hands-on learning and the introduction of new technology.”

Some session highlights include:

  • Essentials of Pediatric Orthopaedics – lectures on upper extremity and lower extremity trauma.
  • The Course for Mid-Career Surgeons – a talk full of valuable insights on mentorship and paying it forward.
  • The Author’s Preferred Techniques – surgical technique lectures on cavus foot reconstruction and repairing pediatric thumb fractures.

“Each of these sessions offer unique takeaways for a variety of learning levels from residents and fellows to course faculty members like myself,” says Dr. Oetgen. “Overall, this year’s IPOS was very educational and I was proud to have had a number of Children’s National faculty attend and experience the course.”

Dr. Oetgen participated in several sessions:

  • Essentials of Pediatric Orthopaedics II and III – Session Moderator
  • Essentials of Pediatric Orthopaedics: Back Pain, Kyphosis and Disc Disease – Lecture
  • Top Gun Surgical Simulation Competition – Faculty Leader
  • Hands-On Workshop – Pinning an Elbow – Faculty
  • Reconsidering How You Should Code for Fractures
  • EMR Hacks to Improve Wellness and Patient Experience – Lecture
  • Industry Spotlight Session nView Medical – Next Generation Pediatric 3D Imaging and Navigation – Simplifying Your Current Surgical Workflow – Lecture
    • Children’s National is was the first pediatric hospital in the country to use the 3D imaging technology by nView Medical in the operating room. Researchers studied its impact in the area of pediatric spine surgery, navigation and imaging. The team continues to be a major investigator and knowledge leader with this technology. Moving forward, researchers plan to study the technology’s impact in pediatric orthopaedic surgery.

 

illustration of neurons with electrical impulses

Children’s National at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting

illustration of neurons with electrical impulsesSeveral experts from Children’s National Hospital will be sharing their knowledge at the upcoming American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting in Orlando, December 1-5. Here’s a sample of what you can expect.

  • Chima Oluigbo, M.D., a pediatric neurosurgeon, will be on panel with other surgeons discussing different surgical techniques and approaches related to epilepsy surgery followed by hands-on practice at teaching stations. He will focus on extra-temporal epilepsy scenarios and will be presenting on Nuances of Temporal Lobe Surgery in the Pediatric Population at the Neurosurgery Symposium highlighting Surgical Controversies in Temporal Lobe Epilepsies.
  • Ersida Buraniqi, M.D., a child neurologist, will be part of a special interest group on critical care and discuss advances in electroencephalography (EEG) and multimodal neuro-monitoring for seizures in the intensive care unit (ICU). Dr. Buranigui will be doing a special presentation on EEG features to predict electrographic seizures and mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  • Dana Harrar, M.D., director of Pediatric Stroke Program and co-director of Critical Care Neurology, is presenting at an invitation-only resident EEG course, providing an interactive structured curriculum on pediatric and adult EEG. Dr. Harrar will be focusing on doing an ICU-EEG nomenclature overview.
  • Madison Berl, Ph.D., director of Neuropathy Research and of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center Program, will be presenting during the AES Annual Course. The topic “It’s About Time” will focus on the critical importance the timing in epilepsy care plays in patient outcome. Dr. Berl will be presenting on neuropsych outcomes.
  • Leigh Sepeta, Ph.D., director of Inpatient Neuropsychology, is the vice-chair of the special interest group on neuropsychology. Additionally, Freya Prentice, M.Sc., will be doing a presentation during this session on functional mapping of the cognitive memory circuit in pediatric epilepsy.
Date Time Presenter(s) Title
12/2/23 8:00 am Chima Oluigbo, M.D., FRCSC, FAANS Skills Workshop | Epilepsy Surgery Workshop: Techniques and Clinical Scenarios
12/2/23 5:30 pm Chima Oluigbo, M.D., FRCSC, FAANS SIG | Epilepsy Surgery: Homunculus Revisited: Managing Central Lobe Epilepsies
12/2/23 5:30 pm Ersida Buraniqi, M.D. SIG | Critical Care: Advances in EEG and Multimodal Neuro-monitoring for Seizures in the ICU
12/2/23 7:00am Dana Harrar M.D. Resident EEG Course
12/3/23 9:00 am Chima Oluigbo, M.D., FRCSC, FAANS Neurosurgery Symposium | Surgical Controversies in Temporal Lobe Epilepsies
12/3/23 8:45 am Madison Berl, Ph.D. Annual Course | It’s About Time: Timing in Epilepsy Evaluation and Treatment
12/4/23 7:00 am Leigh Sepeta, M.D. SIG | Neuropsychology: Mapping Cognition in Epilepsy: From the Lab to the Clinic
12/4/23 7:00 am Freya Prentice, M.D. SIG | Neuropsychology: Mapping Cognition in Epilepsy: From the Lab to the Clinic
12/5/23 7:00 am Dana Harrar M.D. SIG | Epilepsy Education: Epilepsy Education Throughout the Training Pipeline

 

Auditorium at the Cell and Gene Therapy in the DMV Symposium

Cell & Gene Therapy in the DMV: Experts collaborate for cures

Leaders in medicine, academia, industry and state and local government came together for the first annual Cell and Gene Therapy in the DMV Symposium, hosted at the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus. The mission: Connect the local scientific community – bursting with expertise and collaboration potential – to develop these cutting-edge therapies for cancers, sickle cell disease and immune-mediated disorders.

The daylong event drew over 100 experts from a range of organizations in the D.C, Maryland and Virginia region, sometimes called the DMV: Children’s National Hospital, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Institutes of Health, the General Accounting Office, Virginia Tech, MaxCyte, AstraZeneca, Kite Pharma, Montgomery College, the Maryland State Department of Commerce and more. Together, they unraveled a host of topics including the regulatory environment, workforce development and training, research standards and the promise of these therapies.

“Our Cell & Gene Therapy Symposium brings together our current collaborators and future partners in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia space, which is an incredibly rich area. We see tremendous opportunity and breakthroughs in our future,” said Catherine Bollard, M.D., M.B.Ch.B., interim chief academic officer and chief of Pediatrics at Children’s National Hospital. “Many different diseases rely on the immune system to either be ramped up or to be controlled, and we can seize on these biological processes. Cell and gene therapies are at the heart of where medicine is going.”

The big picture

For decades, oncologists largely have turned to the same menu of treatments to fight cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Cell and gene therapies offer the promise of training the immune system to fight diseases with fewer side effects and potentially higher success rates. Early work has shown progress in liquid cancers, like leukemia, raising the possibility that the therapies could be used on solid tumors and other disorders, such as lupus and sickle cell disease. However, many disciplines must come together to yield discoveries.

“Nobel Prize-winning work doesn’t necessarily translate into available therapies for patients. It takes a whole community like this to make it happen,” said Cenk Sumen, chief scientific officer at MaxCyte Inc., an international cell engineering company based in Rockville, Md. “It has been exciting to see this diverse group of stakeholders come together, which is probably unmatched anywhere on the planet.”

Why we’re excited

Symposium host Patrick Hanley, Ph.D., chief and director of the Cellular Therapy Program at Children’s National, said the goal was to cement the region as the No. 1 location for this highly technical research and development. He believes Children’s National can offer essential elements to this success, given its clinical and research expertise, workforce training opportunities and geographic proximity to the scientific leadership of the federal government. “What makes us unique is our proximity to all the players who can help create new treatment options for patients. We truly are the biomedical capital of the world,” he said.

Michael Friedlander, vice president for health sciences at Virginia Tech, notes that the earliest stages of invention will emanate from academic labs including those at Virginia Tech and Children’s National. “You have basic scientists who are doing fundamental research on properties and procedures that will lead to the new therapies of tomorrow,” he said. “We are putting in place the fundamental pieces to advance children’s health in all dimensions.”

What’s ahead

One challenge is developing a workforce to help prepare cell therapies for patients, following precise standards to ensure the therapy works as designed. Children’s National does this training, as do others in the region. Lori Kelman, Ph.D., M.B.A., biotechnology coordinator and professor at Montgomery College, said that the area is full of people who want to help people and who like science.

“The thing that people might not know is that you don’t need a Ph.D. to work in cell and gene therapy,” she said. “There are opportunities at all levels, including the entry level, which is where a great career often starts.”