Children's National Dedicates New Research Facility

New floor adds 20,000 square feet to top pediatric research institution

Washington, DC (Vocus) November 24, 2008 -- Children's National Medical Center's academic arm, Children's Research Institute (http://www.childrensnational.org/research/), dedicated new research facilities today, increasing the space of one of the nation's top pediatric research facilities to more than 100,000 square feet.

Elected officials and scientific leaders from the community joined the faculty of Children's National Medical Center to dedicate the space.

The new facility adds another floor dedicated to research. At 20,000 square feet, the new facility houses the Center for Neuroscience Research (http://www.childrensnational.org/research/ResearchCenters/neuroscience.aspx) and the Center for Clinical and Community Research (http://www.childrensnational.org/research/ResearchCenters/ClinicalCommunity.aspx). It includes research offices, conference rooms, and laboratories. Children's Research Institute is one of the top 10 pediatric research facilities in terms of NIH funding.

"Our physical growth is emblematic of a new era at Children's National Medical Center," said Mark Batshaw, MD, Chief Academic Officer at Children's National. "We continue to recruit new faculty members and improve technology, so that we can further integrate our research and clinical care."

Located atop the main hospital, Children's Research Institute encourages scientists, clinicians, nurses, and other Children's National staff to undertake research projects that will positively impact the care of children. Children's National's research space has always been located in close proximity to the clinical facilities to allow faculty and staff to take on such research. Children's Research Institute is organized into four primary centers of research, to allow for close collaboration with the clinical team. They include the Center for Clinical and Community Research, the Center for Neuroscience Research, the Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, and the Center for Genetic Medicine Research.

There are more than 450 federally and privately funded research projects currently underway at Children's Research Institute, led by more than 130 faculty members. Children's National's junior faculty collectively have 26 NIH K awards--prestigious grants to engage future leaders in translational research and medicine.

Additionally, approximately half of Children's clinical physicians have a specific research study focus. This allows cutting edge research findings to be more quickly integrated with quality care for patients and families. Translational research findings move from the bench to the bedside and out into the community faster and more effectively.

Contact: Jennifer Leischer or Emily Dammeyer, Public Relations, at 202-476-4500

Video link: http://www.childrensnational.org/research/about/facility.aspx

Children's National Medical Center, located in Washington, DC, is a proven leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. Children's has been serving the nation's children for more than 135 years. Children's National is proudly ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in America by US News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group.

For more information, visit www.childrensnational.org. Children's Research Institute, the academic arm of Children's National Medical Center, encompasses the translational, clinical, and community research efforts of the institution. Learn more about our research programs at www.childrensnational.org/research.

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