April 2008
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta announced a landmark investment in the future of pediatric research in Georgia. The Children’s Board of Trustees designated $430 million of the Children’s endowment toward pediatric research.
“Annually, income generated from this Board-designated fund will be invested in pediatric research,” said James E. Tally, Ph.D., president and CEO of Children’s, “and the remainder will be restricted for future growth of the pediatric research program.”
Though this amount is historic, Children’s predicts that more than three times the spending amount available from the $430 million endowment will be needed to meet long-range pediatric research goals as part of the 10-year plan put forth by Children’s. The not-for-profit hospital system will continue to seek community support to meet this commitment.
“The Children’s Board of Trustees, with great vision and forethought, has initiated a plan that will not only continue the organization’s focus on outstanding clinical care but also will propel pediatric research in Georgia to among the best in the nation,” said Joe Rogers Jr., Chair of the Children’s Board of Trustees and CEO of Waffle House Inc.
To help meet the long-range pediatric research goals set forth in the plans, Children’s will leverage its partnerships with outstanding academic and research institutions in Georgia, including Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology.
“Emory and Children’s have a longstanding relationship that has continued to grow over the years,” said Fred Sanfilippo, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Emory University. “We have worked together to build the Emory Department of Pediatrics and the Emory-Children’s Center and to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. Emory is excited about what this pediatric research investment means for the future of both our organizations and for the health of children.”
In 2006, Children’s, in conjunction with Emory and Georgia Tech, launched the Center for Pediatric Outcomes and Quality (CPOQ) as part of the Health Systems Institute at Georgia Tech.
“Children’s has become an important research partner with Georgia Tech,” said Dr. G. Wayne Clough, president, Georgia Tech. “The CPOQ is focused on operating as a catalyst for discoveries affecting the health of our children. This long-term vision for pediatric research is a bold step toward building a world-class pediatric research engine right here in Georgia.”
The success of the merger of Egleston Children’s Hospital and Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center in 1998 and the addition of Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital, combined with the leadership of the Children’s Board of Trustees, provides Children’s the opportunity to align significant resources for the future of Georgia’s children.
