ATLANTA (Sept. 4, 2018) – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University have announced the launch of the Emory + Children’s Pediatric Institute, an affiliation focused on leveraging the capabilities of both top-tier organizations. Through the Pediatric Institute, Emory University and Children’s will facilitate leading-edge pediatric research, and train pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists, both of which are in short supply in the United States.
Emory University and Children’s have worked together over the past decade recruiting prominent pediatric researchers to Atlanta, resulting in a nationally ranked pediatric research program with notable accolades:
- The Emory University Department of Pediatrics is ranked No. 5 in National Institutes of Health (NIH) rankings for funding to pediatrics.
- Marcus Autism Center, a subsidiary of Children's, is one of only five centers nationwide to be designated an Autism Center of Excellence by the NIH.
- The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's is one of the largest brain tumor and leukemia/lymphoma programs in the country.
- Children’s has the largest sickle cell disease program in the country and has treated more than 73 children of sickle cell disease through blood and marrow transplants (BMTs).
- Three researchers appointed as Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholars specialize in pediatric research. The scholars attract significant federal and private research grants every year, which creates jobs and advances discovery and invention.
The results of this research have had worldwide impact and, importantly, are enabling a growing and vibrant research community in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. The Pediatric Institute also will continue to build and enhance relationships with other partners, including Georgia Institute of Technology, creating a unique collaborative opportunity to develop treatments and devices that can change the future of pediatric healthcare.
“This institute marks the start of something that will make a real difference for kids,” said Liz Blake, Board of Trustees Chair for the Pediatric Institute. “We are combining the unique strengths and resources of each institution in a way that elevates our shared ability to integrate the outstanding clinical service of Children’s with innovative clinical research of Emory University, and to coordinate exceptional education of the future healthcare workforce.”
To address a serious shortage of pediatricians and pediatric specialists across the country, Emory University and Children’s continue to be proactive through the physician training program. Last year, the training program supported 97 residents and 117 fellows. In recent years, more than half of the doctors who completed the program stayed in Georgia and now occupy many of the top pediatric leadership positions, providing care to a large number of children across Georgia.