At Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, we believe that collaboration can change the outcome for children. Our newest research facility, opened in November 2007, is designed to promote opportunities for productive collaboration across disciplines. Clinical, translational, health services and outcomes researchers work side by side with bench scientists. We intentionally located them in close physical proximity to broad, overlapping areas of scientific interest to stimulate the sharing of ideas — and the new knowledge that cures disease.
With the opening of this 12-story, 415,000-square-foot research building, Cincinnati Children’s now has nearly 1 million square feet of research space, making us one of the largest pediatric research programs in the nation. While reduced federal funding is prompting many other institutions to scale back research efforts, this new facility enables us to continue attracting the best scientists from around the world.
Cincinnati Children’s now ranks second nationally among all children’s hospitals and departments of pediatrics in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), especially noteworthy with the flat NIH budget. In 2007, our NIH funding was $92.1 million, more than a ten-fold increase from $8.9 million in 1992. Total sponsored research programs grew from $12 million to $123 million over the same period, again a ten-fold increase.
Our expanding faculty now numbers more than 450, among the largest of any children’s hospital or pediatric department nationally. There are 413 full- and part-time faculty members in the Department of Pediatrics. Many of the faculty in the Cincinnati Children’s Departments of Surgical Services, Anesthesia, and Radiology and Medical Imaging also participate in Research Foundation activities.
In 2007 we recruited several new leaders to strengthen important clinical and research programs. Dennis Drotar, PhD, became director of the new Center for Adherence and Self-Management. Carolyn Kercsmar, MD, now directs the Asthma Center. Andrew Spooner, MD, MS, FAAP, is chief medical information officer. Mark Steinhoff, MD, directs the new Institute for Global Child Health, leading the expansion of our clinical care and research around the world. Lisa Simpson, MB, BCh, MPH, heads the Child Policy Research Center. Frank Biro, MD, has been appointed director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine.
Since arriving here in May 2007, I have experienced firsthand an extraordinary clinical, educational and scientific environment committed to innovation and discovery. For 14 years, my predecessor, Thomas F. Boat, MD, shaped and led the Research Foundation and the Department of Pediatrics. As we build on his vision, hard work and leadership, I know we can continue to improve health and change outcomes for children worldwide.
Sincerely,
Arnold W. Strauss, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Director, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation
