Dr. Sandler gives remarks to graduating surgeon fellows at the RCS England’s Diplomate’s Ceremony.
Anthony Sandler, MD, senior vice president and surgeon-in-chief of the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Center for Surgical Care at Children’s National Hospital, was awarded the title of honorary fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He also delivered an inspirational speech to the RCS England’s Diplomates Ceremony for graduating surgeon fellows. The remarks, focused on lessons he’s learned over the course of career so far, reminded the audience that surgeons have a great responsibility to remain curious about solving problems, but that curiosity and humility must walk hand-in-hand.
“Hold onto uncertainty,” he said. “It reminds you that even as our hands can heal, our hearts must always listen.”
What it means
The RCS England is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious training institutions for aspiring surgeons. The RCS England honorary fellowship is offered by special invitation to people whose extraordinary achievements have made a profound and lasting impact on the fields of surgery or medicine on an international level.
It highlights a surgeon’s exceptional professional service and is one of the highest accolades the college can bestow separate from standard progression through the RCS England itself.
Why it matters
“Every surgeon’s journey is essentially an odyssey, a lifelong pursuit of mastery, compassion and purpose,” Dr. Sandler told the graduating fellows. His own career exemplifies this perception. He is an accomplished thoracic and general pediatric surgeon with an active clinical practice who also leads a clinical center well-known for its ability to train the most successful pediatric general surgery fellows in the U.S. In addition to his surgical leadership, he has avidly pursued research in tumor immunology and tumor vaccine therapy, as well as the design and application of novel devices and technologies for surgical practice.
Dr. Sandler has served and chaired multiple committees for the American Pediatric Surgical Association and served for 10 years on the Board of Examiners for the Pediatric Surgery Qualifying examination. He has authored over 160 peer reviewed publications in clinical and scientific medical journals and is an NIH funded investigator.
He also directs the Sheik Zayed Institute for Surgical Innovation at Children’s National and is the Diane and Norman Bernstein Chair in Pediatric Surgery as well as a professor of surgery and pediatrics at George Washington University.
The RCS England is one of the oldest and most prestigious training institutions for aspiring surgeons in the world.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SandlerRCS-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-12-01 12:39:012025-12-01 12:40:44Anthony Sandler, MD, surgeon-in-chief, named honorary fellow of RCS England
The surgeons use EndoFLIP measurements and appearance before and after POEM to gauge procedure effectiveness.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a preferable first-line surgical intervention for pediatric esophageal achalasia, according to an analysis of 10-year outcomes for this procedure at Children’s National Hospital.
The single institution study evaluated clinical efficacy, safety, complications and durability of symptom relief based on data from 101 children who underwent 110 POEM procedures for achalasia from 2015 to 2025. The study group also included the largest cohort of children 10-years-old or younger who had this procedure ever reported in scientific literature.
Why it matters
Achalasia is a rare condition in adults and even less common in children, occurring in only 0.1 per 100,000 children annually and an estimated prevalence of 10 per 100,000. The rarity of achalasia in children has historically made collecting statistically significant evidence about how best to treat it difficult. However, as one of the first children’s hospitals in the country to offer POEM as the first-line treatment of these conditions in children, Children’s National has collected enough data in the last decade to conduct robust analysis for the first time.
Chief of General and Thoracic Surgery Mikael Petrosyan, MD, MBA, and his co-authors write, “Our results highlight the significant institutional adoption of this minimally invasive technique as a primary therapeutic intervention for achalasia in children. This aligns with previous pediatric studies documenting an increasing preference for POEM over traditional surgical interventions such as laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM), owing to its favorable procedural attributes and comparable outcomes.”
Additionally, the authors note, “Our institutional preference toward POEM clearly reflects both the accumulated expertise and documented advantages of POEM, including shorter hospital stays, reduced postoperative discomfort and superior or equivalent symptomatic outcomes.”
The study includes outcomes for the largest number of children 10 years of age or younger to undergo POEM procedures, showing the procedure is feasible and becoming more accepted in younger and smaller-sized patients. The cohort of younger children is also noteworthy because it includes those with complex genetic conditions, including Down syndrome, Triple A syndrome, GMPPA-CDG, MIRAGE syndrome and Sotos syndrome.
The authors point out that the success of procedures for this subgroup “underscores the adaptability, broad applicability and robust safety profile” of POEM for these patients.
Children’s National leads the way
Children’s National is one of the only children’s hospitals in the country to offer POEM for treatment of these conditions in children. Dr. Petrosyan and Timothy Kane, MD, director of the Thoracic and Foregut Program, combined perform more POEM surgeries than any other pediatric surgeons in the United States.
As the program with the most experience caring for and collaborating with this unique patient population, the doctors emphasize that surgical procedures are only one part of the puzzle. They write, “Optimal management of pediatric achalasia involves a multidisciplinary approach tailored to each patient’s clinical scenario, with the goal to maximize symptom relief, minimize procedural complications and enhance long-term quality of life.”
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/POEM-image-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-11-05 13:29:272025-11-05 13:34:09POEM shown as preferable first-line surgery for pediatric achalasia based on 10-year outcomes
Researchers at Children’s National Hospital recently conducted a study testing BL-760, a “near-infrared” fluorescent dye that makes bile ducts more visible during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or the removal of the gallbladder.
Researchers at Children’s National Hospital recently conducted a study testing BL-760, a “near-infrared” fluorescent dye that makes bile ducts more visible during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or the removal of the gallbladder.
Building upon previous research by Richard Cha, PhD, and the Vision and Robotics Laboratory at the Sheikh Zayed Institute of Pediatric Surgical Innovation, the study shows the potential for BL-760 to be a viable tool for eliminating common mistakes in laparoscopic cholecystectomy and brings it one step closer to entering clinical trials.
The big picture
Over the course of the pre-clinical study, four total surgeries were successfully conducted with BL-760 guidance, the first two to clip specific ducts in the biliary tree and the second set to remove the gallbladder.
BL-760 dye glows under near infrared light allowing for a more specific identification of the bile ducts. During the surgeries, researchers were able to measure how well the BL-760 dye highlighted the bile ducts using target-to-background ratios (TBRs) — or comparing how bright the ducts appeared compared to the surrounding liver tissue.
The TBR in the initial surgeries were 2.42 and 3.22, with the TBR in the last surgeries at 2.83 and 2.60, all desirable and expected results by the team of researchers.
Moving the field forward
Today, Indocyanine green (ICG) dye is most commonly used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, however, it is far from perfect. Often ICG takes longer to highlight the bile ducts, which is still suboptimal to minimize bile duct injury (BDI).
As the only biliary specific dye for use in the biliary tree, BL-760 has proven to be a more reliable tool, with faster development times and higher specificity of the biliary tree. This tool can help surgeons avoid damaging complications and save patients significant morbidity.
Children’s National is proud to contribute to this important work, advancing innovations that improve patient outcomes and reduce medical risks.
Read the full study, “A novel biliary-specific near-infrared fluorescent dye (BL-760) enhances visualization of the biliary tree in a swine inflammatory model of bile duct obstruction,” in Surgical Endoscopy.
Dr. Marius George Linguraru, a global leader in pediatric imaging and AI, has been named a 2025 MICCAI Fellow for advancing quantitative imaging biomarkers and championing equitable AI in children’s health.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how doctors diagnose, monitor and treat disease. At this year’s conference of the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) Society in Daejeon, South Korea, more than 3,300 scientists, engineers and clinicians from around the world gathered to explore that transformation firsthand. Among them was Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MS, the Connor Family Professor of Research and Innovation at Children’s National Hospital and a global leader in pediatric imaging and AI research, who was officially named a 2025 Fellow of the MICCAI Society.
The fellowship recognizes Dr. Linguraru for his “distinguished contributions to medical image computing, particularly in the development of quantitative imaging biomarkers for pediatric and rare diseases.”
The big picture
The MICCAI Society is the world’s leading organization for medical image computing and computer-assisted intervention. Each year, it recognizes researchers who have shaped the field through scientific excellence, mentorship and community leadership. Dr. Linguraru shares this year’s honor with Carl-Fredrik Westin of Harvard Medical School and Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer of the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
In addition to receiving the fellowship, Dr. Linguraru currently serves as president of the MICCAI Society, helping to guide its global community through a new era of AI-driven discovery.
“The wellbeing of children is a core value of any society, and I believe AI is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve healthcare for all,” said Dr. Linguraru. “I stand firmly as an advocate for equitable imaging and AI, a mentor and a researcher devoted to children’s health. These values are at the heart of the MICCAI Society, my global family pushing the frontiers of science and healthcare.”
The backdrop
At the 2025 MICCAI conference in Daejeon, more than 3,300 participants came together to celebrate science, collaboration and culture. The meeting showcased the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning for healthcare, including deep-learning approaches to imaging, robotics and clinical decision support.
Dr. Linguraru highlighted the growing momentum toward translating AI methods into clinical practice, as well as new partnerships with the European Society of Radiology and the European Society of Digital and Integrative Pathology that will strengthen the field’s impact.
The society also introduced new awards and grants focused on innovation, health equity and inclusivity, priorities that align closely with Dr. Linguraru’s own career-long mission to bring AI tools to children with rare diseases and limited access to care.
The bottom line
Dr. Linguraru’s installation as a MICCAI Fellow marks a defining moment for both his career and the society he now leads. It celebrates two decades of pioneering research in pediatric imaging and AI, mentorship across continents and a deep belief that technology should serve every child, everywhere.
As the MICCAI community looks ahead to Abu Dhabi in 2026 and Auckland in 2027, Dr. Linguraru’s leadership will help guide the field toward a future where imaging science, artificial intelligence and compassion work hand in hand to advance global health.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Linguararu-MICCAI-award-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-10-29 16:07:522025-10-29 16:08:52Marius George Linguraru honored as MICCAI Fellow and celebrates a landmark year for medical imaging innovation
Children and young adults with achalasia, and their families, attended the second annual Achalasia Awareness Night at Children’s National Hospital, hosted by the pediatric surgery team.
More than 30 patients and their families recently attended Achalasia Awareness Night at Children’s National Hospital, a moving and empowering event led by Mikael Petrosyan, MD, MBA, and Timothy Kane, MD, with the dedicated support of the entire surgical team — including Jill Rafie, Segale Cephas and Rebecca Chavez.
“We are steadfast in our mission to provide not only world-class surgical care but also a strong network of support for families navigating achalasia,” Dr. Petrosyan said. “This event continues to set new standards for what is possible when patients, families and providers come together — united by compassion, collaboration and the shared goal of improving lives.”
What it means
The overwhelming turnout highlighted the importance of creating spaces where families can connect, learn and inspire one another. Smiles, tears and words of gratitude filled the evening, underscoring just how meaningful the gathering was for patients, families and providers alike.
The program featured insights from the expert surgical team at Children’s National, who discussed the latest treatment options, innovative techniques and supportive resources available. The care team’s message was clear: no family walks this path alone, and cutting-edge solutions are being developed and delivered every day at the hospital.
More than education
This is the second year for this event that began as an annual educational program but has quickly blossomed into something much greater — a celebration of resilience and the power of community. Families gather in an atmosphere of warmth and understanding, sharing stories, struggles and victories. For many, this event is the first opportunity for them to meet others who truly understand their journey with pediatric achalasia. The connections create an invaluable sense of unity and belonging.
The parent and patient panel, where families courageously share their experiences — the uncertainty of diagnosis, the daily challenges of living with achalasia and the transformative impact of surgical care, was especially impactful according to attendees.
The enthusiasm of the attendees highlights the importance of creating spaces where families can connect, learn and inspire one another.
Why it matters
Achalasia is a rare condition in adults (1/100,000) and even less common in children, occurring in only 0.1 per 100,000 patients with an estimated prevalence of 10 per 100,000. The rarity of achalasia in children compared with adults makes collecting enough statistically significant evidence about how best to treat them difficult, more so than for other more common pediatric surgical conditions.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Achalasia-Event-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-10-10 16:46:082025-10-10 16:47:03Patients, families at the core of achalasia awareness and care
Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., was ranked as a top hospital in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings. This marks the ninth straight year Children’s National has made the Honor Roll list. The Honor Roll is a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide.
For the fifteenth straight year, Children’s National ranked in 10 specialty services and is the highest U.S. News ranked children’s hospital in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Last year, U.S. News introduced pediatric & adolescent behavioral health as a service line in its rankings. While there are no ordinal rankings for behavioral health, the Children’s National program was named one of the top 50 programs in the country for the second year in a row.
“To be named among the nation’s top children’s hospitals for nine years in a row is a reflection of the extraordinary expertise, innovation and heart that our teams bring to every child and family we serve,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Children’s National. “Our leadership in specialties like neurology, cancer, and diabetes and endocrinology underscores the national impact of our work, and we remain focused on setting new standards in pediatric care.”
The annual rankings are the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals and recognizes the nation’s top 50 pediatric hospitals based on a scoring system developed by U.S. News.
“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than just excelling in a single specialty — it means being a pillar of outstanding care for your entire region,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “Our rankings acknowledge these hospitals for their comprehensive excellence, helping families find the very best care conveniently located within their state and community.”
The bulk of the score for each specialty service is based on quality and outcomes data. The process includes a survey of relevant specialists across the country, who are asked to list hospitals they believe provide the best care for patients with the most complex conditions.
The Children’s National specialty services that U.S. News ranked in the top 10 nationally are:
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USNWR_CNBadges_Set2SideBySide_2025-26-CNRI.jpg385685Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-10-07 01:00:072025-10-07 09:08:32Children’s National Hospital once again ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Article_Image_400x300_Sandler.jpg12501667Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-08-28 10:10:082025-08-28 10:18:30Podcast: Cutting Edge: Precision and Progress in Pediatric Surgery
The procedure was successfully performed by team in the Esophageal and Thoracic Surgery Program at Children’s National, including Timothy Kane, MD, and Mikael Petrosyan, MD, MBA, who co-authored a case study.
Pediatric surgeons at Children’s National Hospital successfully removed a pediatric esophageal leiomyoma, a rare, benign tumor of the esophagus, through minimally invasive submucosal tunneling and endoscopic resection (STER) rather than the standard of care endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) technique that has traditionally had higher complication rates.
A 13-year-old male presented with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and frequent abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a 2-cm distal esophageal mass. The team completed full resection of the mass with no complications. At 1-year post-surgery, the patient continued to show no signs of dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, or chest pain.
In the case study, the authors write that the successful application of STER “represents a valuable advancement in the endoscopic management of submucosal tumors (SMTs), offering a less invasive and potentially safer approach for tumor removal.”
They assert that while ESD, the current most common approach, also involves removing lesions endoscopically, “ESD involves direct dissection of the lesion, potentially leading to larger mucosal defects and increased risk of complications. STER, with its tunnel approach, maintains mucosal integrity, potentially leading to better outcomes.”
Children’s National leads the way
The Esophageal and Thoracic Surgery Program at Children’s National is a national leader in pioneering more precise and less invasive procedures for children who have diseases and disorders of the lungs, mediastinum and esophagus.
For example, Children’s National performs more peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedures as a primary intervention for children with esophageal achalasia and pediatric gastroparesis than any other hospital in the United States.
Minimally invasive procedures for children with these conditions are particularly challenging due to a child’s small anatomy and a lack of right-sized surgical tools. The application of endoscopic procedures such as STER and POEM offer fewer risks of complications and faster recovery times than the current standard approaches for children. Though many of these procedures are readily available for adults, applying them in pediatrics requires technical skill and expertise not available everywhere.
Hear, smell, taste. These senses impact and shape children’s everyday lives. Diego Preciado, MD, PhD, chief of Otolaryngology and Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology, aims to set the gold standard for care of a child’s ear, nose and throat (ENT) — pathways to the senses. “We treat the senses that drive an individual’s personality,” he says. “ENT care has seen wonderful advances in the last 30 years, but there is still more work to do. That’s why I entered the field.”
Dr. Preciado is an innovator. His team, at the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, helped to advance early detection and treatment of otolaryngology disorders, such as hearing loss, the most common sensory impairment in children. Four in every 1,000 infants are born with it.
In the laboratory, the team uncovered fundamental molecular aspects of chronic ear disease. This led to the development of new medications aimed at reducing the need for surgery. The team and collaborators are developing a drug delivery method, using liposomal nanoparticles — spherical vesicles that are insoluble in water — to carry treatments directly into the ear canal. It could potentially eliminate the need for oral antibiotics and surgery in children with recurrent ear infections. The team also developed an app to guide patients through critical aspects of ENT care. It will help kids with hearing impairments in language development after cochlear implantation.
“At Children’s National,” says Dr. Preciado, “the future is all about helping children get better faster.”
Dr. Preciado’s team works across the hospital and with parent groups in our community to remove barriers to ENT care. “All care is not equal,” he says. “Sadly, families with public or no health insurance typically only receive care at a much later date. This delay often permanently impacts their children’s hearing, speech and social skills.”
Currently in development is a medical and educational intervention model for patients with complex ENT needs. It includes expanding critical wraparound services and creating new care solutions. The focus is precision medicine and personalized therapies. Continuing refinement of our fellowship program to train pediatric otolaryngologists is helping to build a strong workforce for the future.
“Real change can happen only by adopting a team approach to care. An effective leader must be an equal member of the team and lead by example. Children’s National is committed to this approach and ensuring that everyone receives expert care in the same manner.”
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Preciado-examnies-Jorge-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-07-02 15:51:172025-08-08 13:13:36Caring for the senses to support children’s development
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Article_Image_400x300_Bollard-Permar.jpg12501667Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-06-24 10:00:042025-07-08 15:18:21Podcast: Mission Critical: The Importance of Pediatric Research
“This project is exciting as it targets more precise surgery with improved safety in terms of decreased radiation,” says Matthew Oetgen, MD, division chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National.
What if surgeons could fix a child’s hip with pinpoint accuracy – using fewer X-rays and cutting-edge robotics? That’s the promise of a new National Institutes of Health funded project combining 3D imaging and robotic technology to improve the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), a condition that affects the hip joint in growing children.
What’s been the hold-up in the field?
Right now, orthopedic surgeons place screws by hand using 2D X-ray images to guide them. To see the screw from different angles, they have to move the X-ray machine around. “The screw must be placed near the center of the femoral head, but not penetrate it,” says Kevin Cleary, PhD, associate director of engineering at the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation (SZI). This process takes time and can increase the amount of radiation the patient receives.
Even though better tools like 3D imaging and surgical robots exist, they aren’t used together in current surgical practice. “Individual procedures have nuances that require their own validated workflows,” says Tyler Salvador, a research engineer at Children’s National Hospital. In other words, each type of surgery is different, and doctors need proven steps before using new technology in the operating room.
How does this work move the field forward?
This project brings together low-dose 3D X-rays from nView with a small surgical robot called Micromate™ to help place screws more precisely during SCFE surgeries. “Our research group has been developing robotics, imaging, and related technologies to improve surgical procedures,” says Dr. Cleary. While these tools exist separately, putting them together in one system focused on bone surgery is new. Tyler Salvador adds, “This will provide a complete solution for precision SCFE implant placement and verification.”
“This project is exciting as it targets more precise surgery with improved safety in terms of decreased radiation,” says Matthew Oetgen, MD, division chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National. “This is a paradigm-shifting effort that will improve outcomes while improving safety which is the holy grail of translational clinical research. It embodies the goal of the SZI — combining technical expertise with surgical leadership to improve outcomes in pediatric surgery.”
Children’s National leads the way
Children’s National is unique because the Sheikh Zayed Institute combines research and clinical care in one place. “Having the labs right inside the hospital helps us work closely with doctors,” says Salvador.
Together, this work is paving the way for safer, faster and more precise surgeries for children with hip problems. By combining advanced imaging and robotics, the team at Children’s National is helping shape the future of pediatric orthopedic care. In addition to this robotic hip pinning project, the Children’s National team is also behind two additional groundbreaking projects including robotic gallbladder removal and a kidney surgery initiative.
This project has been funded in whole with federal funds from the National Institutes of Health under Contract No.R01EB035559.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Oetgen-hip-pinning-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-06-09 14:36:072025-06-09 14:37:42Transforming pediatric hip surgery with robotics and 3D imaging
Pediatric solid tumors like neuroblastoma remain a major cause of illness and death, because traditional treatments effective for other tumor types have had only limited success.
A novel immunotherapy approach that involves training autologous T cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has shown early signs of safety and efficacy in a small pre-clinical model. The approach, pioneered by researchers within the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Hospital, may have future implications for the treatment of intractable pediatric solid tumors such as neuroblastoma.
What it means
Pediatric solid tumors like neuroblastoma remain a major cause of illness and death, because traditional treatments effective for other tumor types have had only limited success. There is an urgent need for innovative strategies to effectively target these tumors.
This study presents another approach to cell therapy that collects peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient and teaches them to target and eliminate solid tumor cells through exposure to similar tumor cells in a controlled laboratory setting. The cells are then primed to find and attack the solid tumor cells when reintroduced, an approach known as adoptive immunotherapy.
What’s new
The authors note that more well-established modalities such as CAR-T and TCR-T therapies have also made significant advances and demonstrate clinical promise at battling cancers such as neuroblastoma. However, the approach presented in the paper offers early promise of an additional potential strategy, especially in a context “where simplicity, speed and safety are priorities.”
By using small molecule treatments, the authors induce an immunogenic response in neuroblastoma tumor cells, making them more recognizable and attackable by immune cells. Ex vivo training of PBMCs with treated neuroblastoma cells exhibited strong tumor-killing activity.
The authors highlight a few key differences of this approach versus existing adoptive cellular therapies. The method “is technically straightforward, requiring only small tumor samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and avoids the need for the complex genetic engineering intrinsic to CAR-T and TCR-T manufacturing,” the authors write. This method leverages ex vivo tumor cell modification, which may mitigate systemic toxicities. “Additionally, because our approach is not limited to a few surface antigens, it may expand the repertoire of actionable tumor-associated targets.”
Children’s National leads the way
Children’s National is a leader in the development of cell therapies for a wide range of pediatric conditions, including pediatric cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease and others.
This research is the latest development in a decade-plus of focused research in adoptive immunotherapy within the Center for Cancer and Immunology Research and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation.
What’s next
The authors write that there are several critical areas for future research to advance this approach, including a need to understand the specific T cell component and receptors involved in recognizing tumor antigens. They will also need to explore the longevity of the trained T cell response including studies of the memory and persistence of trained PBMCs to ensure lasting anti-tumor effects. Finally, the team will explore the risk of T cell exhaustion, which could reduce the effectiveness of the therapy over time.
Though work remains, the authors note, “Our findings lay the groundwork for developing this approach into a viable therapy for neuroblastoma and possibly other solid tumors as well.”
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cancer-cells-feature.png300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-06-09 10:03:082025-06-09 10:05:08Preliminary study points to efficacy of PBMC-based immunotherapy for neuroblastoma
The multi-disciplinary team who implanted the first AVEIR leadless pacemakers at Children’s National.
Two new devices being used in adults with heart rhythm disorders — atrial and dual chamber leadless pacemakers and extravascular defibrillators — were successfully implanted in pediatric patients for the first time at Children’s National. These devices represent the latest technology in pacing and defibrillating the heart to maintain its rhythm. Though they are smaller in size, have fewer complications and longer battery life than most of the devices currently available for young patients, they have not been available for use in these younger patients until recently.
“For the first time, we’re bringing these devices that are smaller, smarter, less painful and more flexible to children and teenagers who can really benefit from them,” says Elizabeth Sherwin, MD, a pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Children’s National who led the teams completing these minimally invasive procedures.
The patient benefit
Offering implantation of these devices gives more children and adults with congenital heart disease access to the latest technologies in implantable heart rhythm devices, which may offer unique benefits for these groups.
Abbott AVEIR dual chamber leadless pacemaker is the newest FDA approved leadless pacemaker. It uses electricity to maintain heart rhythm and can be used to pace both the top and bottom chambers of the heart, which is particularly important for pediatric and adult congenital patients. These devices also:
Are designed to be removed and replaced after battery runs down, which is ideal for children and young adults who will have multiple replacements over a lifetime.
Long battery life, so fewer replacements may be necessary.
Can be placed minimally invasively
Dr. Sherwin says that the minimally invasive procedure and the lack of leads on these devices are particularly key for younger people because these factors remove or reduce the risk of complications commonly experienced with pacemakers in children. There is a reduced risk of bleeding, infection, lead movement or fracture, and long-term problems with the veins. Even better, because they are placed directly in the heart, there are no scars on the chest or visible signs of a pacemaker present.
Medtronic Aurora EV-ICD is an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which is implanted under the skin (subcutaneous) with a generator on the left chest wall and a lead that goes under the breastbone (sternum). The design includes:
A smaller generator.
No need to go through chest muscle, leading to less painful implantation and more comfort long term.
Emergency heart pacing through the substernal lead – both to try to terminate a fast arrhythmia to avoid need for a shock, and to treat in case the heartbeat is too slow.
Longer battery life (projected 11 years).
Avoids the need to have leads in the blood vessels, with the many potential complications that go along with transvenous leads.
For both of these newer devices, the patient’s size, weight and medical history will help determine if they are a good candidate.
The big picture
The Electrophysiology team is the first and only pediatric and congenital cardiology team trained to implant AVEIR leadless pacemakers and the Aurora EV-ICD for eligible individuals in the mid-Atlantic region. Dr. Sherwin, Charles Berul, MD, and Tom (Nak) Choi, MD, are trained to provide these procedures for people in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. For both devices, Children’s National is among only a handful of children’s hospitals in the U.S. with the training and expertise to offer access to these technologies.
“This is a game-changer for kids with rhythm disorders and adults with congenital heart disease,” Dr. Sherwin says. “We are really excited to be among the first to offer these options for patients who need them.”
“Healthcare is moving very fast. And what often happens in adults, also happens in children. Unfortunately, most of the research is directed initially at adults, and then whittles down to children. At Children’s National, we’re trying to turn that around. We’re trying to do research for children that will expand its way up to adults, turning it on its head.”
Anthony Sandler, MD, senior vice president and surgeon-in-chief, Joseph E. Robert Jr. Center for Surgical Care, and director of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation highlighted the exciting research and innovation happening at Children’s National – including demonstrating a technology, led by Raj Shekhar, PhD, that uses real-time imaging with augmented reality to project live ultrasound visualization of a patient within the surgeon’s field of view. This enhances surgical precision and ultimately supports positive patient outcomes.
This conversation was a part of Axios’ inaugural Future of Health Summit – an event bringing together the top voices in healthcare, policy and technology to explore the biggest challenges and innovations shaping the future of medicine.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sandler-Axios-CNRI.jpg385685Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-05-15 15:55:332025-05-15 16:13:36In the news: Axios’ Future of Health Summit
Children’s National Hospital hosted its fifteenth annual Research, Education and Innovation Week from March 31–April 4, 2025, bringing together clinicians, scientists, educators and innovators from across the institution to celebrate discovery and collaboration. This year’s theme, “Empowering the Future in Pediatric Research and Innovation with Equity, Technology and a Global Reach,” served as a call to action for advancing science that improves child health both locally and around the world.
Each day of the week-long event featured thought-provoking lectures — now available to watch — dynamic panel discussions, interactive workshops and vibrant poster sessions, all highlighting the diverse and interdisciplinary work taking place across Children’s National.
Centering the patient and the planet
REI Week began on Monday with a powerful keynote lecture from Lynn R. Goldman, MD, MS, MPH, Michael and Lori Milken dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. In her talk, “Children: Uniquely vulnerable to climate-related threats,” Dr. Goldman underscored the urgent need to protect children from the environmental hazards of a changing climate and to integrate climate science into pediatric care and advocacy.
At mid-morning, Mary-Anne “Annie” Hartley, MD, PhD, MPH, director of the LiGHT Laboratory at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, introduced the “MOOVE” platform — Massive Open Online Validation and Evaluation of clinical LLMs. Her talk demonstrated how artificial intelligence, when rigorously validated, has the potential to transform clinical decision-making and global health equity.
Monday’s final keynote, “Zinc and childhood diarrhea,” was presented by Christopher Duggan, MD, MPH, director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Duggan highlighted the global health impact of zinc supplementation in reducing childhood mortality — a reminder that simple, evidence-based interventions can save millions of lives.
In that first day, the first poster session of the week showcased projects in adolescent medicine, global health, infectious diseases, oncology and more. The session reflected the full breadth of research taking place across Children’s National.
Ambroise Wonkam, MD, PhD, professor of genetic medicine at Johns Hopkins University, then delivered Tuesday’s Global Health Keynote Lecture, “Harnessing our common African genomes to improve health and equity globally.” His work affirmed that inclusive genomics is key to building a healthier world.
Later, the Global Health Initiative event and GCAF Faculty Seminar encouraged attendees to pursue collaborative opportunities at home and abroad, reflecting the growing global footprint of Children’s National research programs.
Transforming education and care delivery
On Wednesday, Larrie Greenberg, MD, professor emeritus of pediatrics, kicked off the day with a Grand Rounds keynote on educational transformation: “Shouldn’t teachers be more collaborative with their learners?” He followed with a CAPE workshop exploring the effectiveness of case-based learning.
In the Jill Joseph Grand Rounds Lecture, Deena J. Chisolm, PhD, director of the Center for Child Health Equity at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, challenged attendees to move beyond dialogue into action in her talk, “Health equity: A scream to a whisper?,” reminding researchers and clinicians that advocacy and equity must be foundational to care.
The day continued with a poster session spotlighting medical education, neonatology, urology and neuroscience, among other fields.
Posters and pathways to progress
Throughout the week, poster sessions highlighted cutting-edge work across dozens of pediatric disciplines. These sessions gave attendees the opportunity to engage directly with investigators and reflect on the shared mission of discovery across multiple disciplines, including:
The REI Week 2025 Awards Ceremony celebrated outstanding contributions in research, mentorship, education and innovation. The winners in each category were:
POSTER SESSION AWARDS
Basic & Translational Research
Faculty: Benjamin Liu, PhD
“Genetic Conservation and Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Gene Across Variants of Concern”
Faculty: Steve Hui, PhD
“Brain Metabolites in Neonates of Mothers with COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy”
Faculty: Raj Shekhar, PhD
“StrepApp: Deep Learning-Based Identification of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Pharyngitis”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Dae-young Kim, PhD
“mhGPT: A Lightweight Domain-Specific Language Model for Mental Health Analysis”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Leandros Boukas, MD, PhD
“De Novo Variant Identification From Duo Long-Read Sequencing: Improving Equitable Variant Interpretation for Diverse Family Structures”
Staff: Naseem Maghzian
“Adoptive T Lymphocyte Administration for Chronic Norovirus Treatment in Immunocompromised Hosts (ATLANTIC)”
Graduate Students: Abigail Haffey
“Synergistic Integration of TCR and CAR T Cell Platforms for Enhanced Adoptive Immunotherapy in Brain Tumors”
High School/Undergraduate Students: Medha Pappula
“An ADHD Diagnostic Interface Based on EEG Spectrograms and Deep Learning Techniques”
Clinical Research
Faculty: Folasade Ogunlesi, MD
“Poor Air Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa is Associated with Increase Health Care Utilization for Pain in Sickle Cell Disease Patients”
Faculty: Ayman Saleh, MD
“Growth Parameters and Treatment Approaches in Pediatric ADHD: Examining Differences Across Race”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Nicholas Dimenstein, MD, MPH
“Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Eligibility in the Pediatric Emergency Department”
Staff: Tayla Smith, MPH
“The Public Health Impact of State-Level Abortion and Firearm Laws on Health Outcomes”
Graduate Students: Natalie Ewing
“Patterns of Bacteriuria and Antimicrobial Resistance in Patients Presenting for Primary Cloacal Repair: Is Assisted Bladder Emptying Associated with Bacteriuria?”
Graduate Students: Manuela Iglesias, MS
“Exploring the Relationship Between Child Opportunity Index and Bayley-III Scores in Young Children”
High School/Undergraduate Students: Nicholas Lohman
“Preliminary Findings: The Efficacy, Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Videoconference Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention for Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Among Children and Young People”
Community-Based Research
Faculty: Sharon Shih, PhD “Assessing Pediatric Behavioral Health Access in DC using Secret Shopper Methodology”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Georgios Sanidas, MD “Arrested Neuronal Maturation and Development in the Cerebellum of Preterm Infants”
Staff: Sanam Parwani
“Intersectionality of Gender and Sexuality Diversity in Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals”
Graduate Student: Margaret Dearey “Assessing the Burden of Period Poverty for Youth and Adolescents in Washington, DC: A Pilot Study”
Quality and Performance Improvement
Faculty: Nichole L. McCollum, MD
“A Quality Improvement Study to Increase Nurse Initiated Care from Triage and Improve Timeliness to Care”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Hannah Rodriguez, MD
“Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in a Level IV NICU”
Staff: Amber K. Shojaie, OTD, OTR/L
“Implementing Dynamic Axilla Splints in a Large Burn Patient”
Meleah Boyle, PhD, MPH
“Understanding and Addressing Environmental Sustainability to Protect the Health of the Children’s National and Global Communities”
Eiman Abdulrahman, MD
“Research Capacity Building to Improve Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care in Ethiopia”
Pilot Awards
Alexander Andrews, MD
“EEG as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Severe Pediatric Malaria, Blantyre Malawi”
Daniel Donoho, MD & Timothy Singer, MD
“Feasibility Study of a Novel Artificial Intelligence-Based Educational Platform to Improve Neurosurgical Operative Skills in Tanzania”
Hasan Syed, MD
“Bridging the Gap an Educational Needs Assessment for Pediatric Neurosurgery Training in Pakistan”
Sofia Perazzo, MD & Lamia Soghier, MD, MEd, MBA
“QI Mentorship to Improve Pediatric Screening and Follow-up in Rural Argentina”
Benjamin Liu, PhD
“AI-Empowered Real-Time Sequencing Assay for Rapid Detection of Schistosomiasis in Senegal”
Rae Mittal, MD
“Assessment and Enhancement of Proficiency in Emergency Child Neurology Topics for Post-Graduate Emergency Medicine Trainees in India”
Innovation Day ignites bold thinking
Thursday, REI Week shifted to the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus for Innovation Day, a celebration of how bold ideas and collaborative culture can accelerate progress in pediatric medicine.
REI Week 2025 reaffirmed the values that define Children’s National: a commitment to excellence, collaboration and equity in pediatric research and care. As discoveries continue to emerge from our hospital and our research campuses, the connections built and ideas sparked during this week will help shape the future of pediatric health — locally and globally.
By elevating voices from the bedside to the bench, with the support of the executive sponsors Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MBChB, Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, Kerstin Hildebrandt, MSHS, Linda Talley, MS, RN, NE-BC and David Wessel, MD, REI Week demonstrated that we must embrace the community in all aspects of our work. Because we know that there are answers we can only get from the patients that we serve—and we need to be their voice.
Research, Education & Innovation Week will be back next year on April 13-17, 2026.
Posters at the REI Week 2025 Monday, March 31 poster session.
Panelists discuss innovation during REI Week 2025.
Global Health Initiative community engagement event during REI Week 2025.
Chris Rees presents his REI Week 2025 lecture.
Nathan Kuppermann listens to a presenter during the REI Week 2025 Tuesday, April 1, poster session.
Michelle Riley-Brown, Nathan Kuppermann, Catherine Bollard and Naomi Luban on stage during the REI Week 2025 awards ceremony.
Brandy Salmon presents on innovation programs at Virginia Tech during the REI Week 2025 Innovation Day.
Catherine Bollard listens to a presenter during the REI Week 2025 Monday, March 21 poster session.
Ambroise Wonkman poses for a picture with Children’s National staff.
Tanzeem Choudhury presenting during REI Week 2025.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/REI-Week-2025-Monday-Poster-Session-CNRI.jpg385685Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-04-22 10:31:052025-09-19 12:09:57REI Week 2025 empowers the future in pediatric research and innovation
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Article_Image_400x300_Linguraru.jpg12501667Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-04-14 11:05:362025-05-09 16:10:59Podcast: Future ready: AI’s role in revolutionizing pediatric care
The guidelines are the first globally acknowledged framework for developing and deploying health care AI applications and gauging whether the information they generate can be trusted or not.
More than 100 international experts in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care published the first set of consensus guidelines that outline criteria for what it means for an AI tool to be considered trustworthy when implemented in health care settings.
The guidelines, published in the journal the BMJ, are the first globally acknowledged framework for developing and deploying health care AI applications and gauging whether the information they generate can be trusted or not.
What this means
Called the FUTURE-AI framework, the consensus guidelines are organized based on six guiding principles:
Fairness
Universality
Traceability
Usability
Robustness
Explainability
The cadre of experts reviewed and agreed upon a set of 30 best practices that fall within the six larger categories. These practices address technical, clinical, socio-ethical and legal aspects of trustworthy AI. The recommendations cover the entire lifecycle of health care AI: design, development and validation, regulation, deployment and monitoring.
The authors encourage researchers and developers to take these recommendations into account in the proof-of-concept phase for AI-driven applications to facilitate future translation to clinical practice.
Why it matters
“Patients, clinicians, health organizations and authorities need to know that information and analysis generated by AI can be trusted, or these tools will never make the leap from theoretical to real world application in a clinical setting,” says Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MSc, Connor Family Professor for Research and Innovation in the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Hospital and co-author of the guidelines. “Bringing so many international and multi-disciplinary perspectives together to outline the characteristics of a trustworthy medical AI application is part of what makes this work unique. It is my hope that finding such broad consensus will shed light on the greater good AI can bring to clinics and help us avoid problems before they ever impact patients.”
The FUTURE-AI consortium was founded by Karim Lekadir, PhD, ICREA Research Professor at the University of Barcelona in 2021 and now comprises 117 interdisciplinary experts from 50 countries representing all continents, including AI scientists, clinical researchers, biomedical ethicists and social scientists. Over a 2-year period, the consortium established these guiding principles and best practices for trustworthy and deployable AI through an iterative process comprising an in-depth literature review, a modified Delphi survey and online consensus meetings. Dr. Linguraru contributed with a unique perspective on AI for pediatric care and rare diseases.
What’s next
The authors note that, “progressive development and adoption of medical AI tools will lead to new requirements, challenges and opportunities. For some of the recommendations, no clear standard on how these should be addressed yet exists.”
To tackle this uncertainty, they propose FUTURE-AI as a dynamic, living framework. This includes a dedicated website to allow the global community to participate in the FUTURE-AI network. Visitors can provide feedback based on their own experiences and perspectives. The input gathered will allow the consortium to refine the FUTURE-AI guidelines and learn from other voices.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AI-healthcare-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/InnovationDistrict_CN_WebHeader-1396px-1030x151.pngInnovation District2025-02-11 16:22:102025-02-11 16:24:19Global expert consensus defines first framework for building trustworthy AI in health care
Children’s National is ranked one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our faculty and staff are proud of the impact made on the lives of children and families in our community. Your participation in the U.S. News & World Report annual reputational survey validates the quality of care we provide and reflects the mutual respect and trust we share as healthcare professionals.
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The 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals reputation voting will open in mid-February. Look for your Doximity notification to vote.
Researchers at Children’s National Hospital are developing supervised autonomous robotic surgery to make expert kidney tumor removal accessible in rural areas, combining robotics, AI and surgeon oversight for safer, more precise outcomes.
Imagine a robot capable of planning and executing the intricate removal of a cancerous kidney tumor — a concept that might sound like science fiction. Yet this groundbreaking work is underway at the Sheikh Zayed Institute (SZI) for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Hospital.
Called Supervised Autonomous Robotic Renal Tumor Surgery (SARRTS), the project aims to prove that a supervised autonomous kidney resection is feasible. Its goal is to enable general surgeons in rural hospitals to oversee robots performing complex resections, democratizing access to specialized surgical care. Backed by a $1 million contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the initiative represents new opportunities in medical innovation.
“The hope is that, someday, patients will no longer have to travel to major oncology centers to get the best possible surgical outcome when faced with renal tumors,” said Kevin Cleary, PhD, associate director of engineering at SZI. “We hope to combine the precision of robotics with a surgeon’s clinical expertise to create consistently high outcomes.”
The patient benefit
Surgery is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, but access to skilled surgeons remains unevenly distributed nationwide. Autonomous robotic surgery could address this disparity by increasing access to expert-level care, enhancing the precision and consistency of procedures and unlocking new surgical possibilities beyond human surgeons’ capabilities.
Under the initial concept, the SARRTS system will use a combination of CT imaging and 3D mapping from a robot’s RGB-depth camera. While the robot independently plans and executes the incision and tumor resection, the supervising surgeon retains full control, with the ability to approve, modify or halt the procedure at any time — an interplay between human expertise and robotic precision to help ensure safety.
Testing will be conducted on realistic kidney models, called phantoms, which are designed to train and test surgical outcomes. The project aims to validate the feasibility of supervised autonomous tumor resection while advancing technologies that could pave the way for broader applications.
“Robotics and medicine have finally reached a point where we can consider projects requiring this level of complexity,” said Anthony Sandler, MD, senior vice president and surgeon-in-chief at Children’s National and executive director of SZI. By combining autonomous robotics, artificial intelligence and surgical expertise, we can profoundly impact the lives of patients facing life-altering cancer diagnoses.”
Children’s National leads the way
In addition to the kidney surgery initiative, the Children’s National team is pursuing other groundbreaking projects. These include a second ARPA-H contract focused on robotic gallbladder removal and a National Institutes of Health grant to explore robotic hip-pinning, a procedure used to repair fractured hips with pins, screws and plates.
Axel Krieger, PhD, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, is collaborating closely on the kidney resection and gallbladder projects. The interdisciplinary team believes this state-of-the-art care could be tested and developed within the next decade.
“This particular surgery is complex, and a robot may offer advantages to address difficulties created by patient anatomy and visibility within the surgical field,” said Dr. Sandler. “We can imagine a day – in the not too distant future – when a human and a robotic arm could team up to successfully advance this care.”
This project has been funded in whole with federal funds from ARPA-H under cooperative agreement AY1AX000023.
Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., was ranked as a top hospital in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings. This marks the ninth straight year Children’s National has made the Honor Roll list. The Honor Roll is a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide.
Children’s National is 
