PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Cindy Christian, M.D., the director of Safe Place: The Center for Child Protection and Health at The Children's Hospital of  Philadelphia, was named to Pennsylvania's Task Force on Child Protection, a new group, created by the state General Assembly.

The panel will examine laws and practices related to the response and reporting of child abuse; review public and expert comments; and submit reports and recommendations to improve state laws and reporting of child abuse.

"I'm very excited for this opportunity to continue to work with government organizations to create policies to care of our most vulnerable population," Christian said. "Child abuse has lasting effects for victims, families and for our community as a whole. We need to work together to address and reduce child maltreatment in Pennsylvania." 

In her 27 years at CHOP, Dr. Christian has established herself as a national expert on child abuse and currently holds CHOP's Chair in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.  In 2010, Dr. Christian was also named the City of Philadelphia's first Medical Director for the Department of Human Services (DHS) by Mayor Michael Nutter. In her role there, Dr. Christian works with members of DHS, and representatives from the Philadelphia community, to develop policies and systems of health care for abused, neglected and otherwise dependent children in the child welfare system. 

Dr. Christian completed her pediatric residency and child abuse pediatrics fellowship at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she has spent her career.  Dr. Christian devotes much of her clinical and academic work to the care of abused children.  She directs the hospital's CARE clinic and provides care to children admitted to the hospital with abusive injuries. She currently serves as chair of The American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and is a faculty director of the Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice and Research at The University of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Christian is a founding member of the Ray E. Helfer Society, and is a member of a number of other local and national organizations devoted to the care of abused and neglected children. In 2007, Dr. Christian was named Pennsylvania Pediatrician of the Year by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 516-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

Contact: Juliann Walsh, Public Relations Specialist
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Office: 267-426-6054
Cell: 267-987-0796
Walshj1@email.chop.edu

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

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