Cincinnati Children's Recognized as Center of Excellence For Work in Clinical Immunology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has been designated a National Center of Excellence for Clinical Immunology by FOCIS -- the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies.
Clinical immunology is the study of how cells and organs work together to defend the body against attacks by foreign invaders. When the immune system malfunctions, it can cause a variety of diseases, such as allergy, arthritis, cancer or AIDS.
Many illnesses and diseases can influence how well the immune system works. In some cases, the immune system can be severely compromised or even completely wiped out by genetic defects. Millions of people throughout the world are affected by these genetic defects, according to Alexandra Filipovich, MD, director of the Cincinnati Children's FOCIS Center.
"More than 95 genetic syndromes have been pinpointed since the first inherited immunodeficiency syndrome was discovered in 1952," says Dr. Filipovich. "New conditions are identified every day and now, Cincinnati Children's is in a better position to add to the wealth of new information about these life-threatening disorders."
At Cincinnati Children's, experts in allergy, pulmonary biology, rheumatology, endocrinology, immunology, gastroenterology, nephrology, critical care, and transplantation will collaborate to develop new therapeutics for patients and educate the next generation of physicians and researchers.
FOCIS established Centers of Excellence to intensify scientific and clinical innovation, education and advocacy for immunologic disorders. Cincinnati Children's is one of only two children's hospitals in the United States designated as a FOCIS Center of Excellence. The other is Boston Children's Hospital.
"Cincinnati Children's earned the designation as a FOCIS Center of Excellence based on our multidisciplinary immunology research, education and patient care," says Dr. Filipovich. "We have a breadth of expertise at Cincinnati Children's that crosses divisions and programs."
FOCIS represents an effort for national leaders in clinical immunology to collaborate in translational research (research that can be taken from the research bench to the bedside) and innovative care of patients with immunologic disorders. The federation also provides a scientific forum to promote the cross-disciplinary understanding and treatment of immune-based diseases; a forum for education of trainees, physicians, patients and the public; and an advocacy role in public policy issues related to these disorders.
Contact Information
Jim Feuer, 513-636-4656,
jim.feuer@cchmc.org
