Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Announces Major Investment in Pediatric Research as Part of 10-Year Vision

    ATLANTA, Feb. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, one
 of the country's leading pediatric healthcare systems, announced today 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. During its first 10 years,
 Children's has invested in programs and research that led to Child magazine
 naming the organization as the No. 3 children's hospital in the nation.
 
     Building upon this success, the Children's Board of Trustees approved a
 comprehensive 10-year plan called Vision 2018, which includes continued
 focus and strengthening of its clinical mission, while expanding its focus
 in research, teaching and wellness.
 
     About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta:
 
     Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the leading pediatric
 healthcare systems in the country, is a not-for-profit organization that
 benefits from the generous philanthropic and volunteer support of our
 community. Operating three hospitals with more than half a million patient
 visits annually, Children's is recognized for excellence in cancer,
 cardiac, neonatal, orthopaedic, pulmonology and transplant services, as
 well as many other pediatric specialties. To learn more about Children's
 Healthcare of Atlanta, visit our Web site at www.choa.org or call
 404-250-KIDS.
 
 
 

SOURCE Children's Healthcare of Atlanta