Calling all medical innovators: Submit your pediatric medical device pitch for Children's National competition by Sept. 29

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's National Health System has announced an extended deadline of Monday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. EDT for its "Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!" competition, in response to continued strong interest from inventors. 

Two top prizes of $50,000 each will be awarded to the winning presentations at the Sheikh Zayed Institute Second Annual Pediatric Surgical Innovation Symposium hosted by Children's National in October. For competition details, click here.

The competition highlights new generations of medical devices that could improve the care and treatment of pediatric patients. The forum gives innovators the chance to pitch their business or product for prizes, including the opportunity to bring it to market.

The one-week extension was announced by Kolaleh Eskandanian, Ph.D., MBA, PMP, executive director of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children's National, saying the health care system is pushing it back to accommodate as many pediatric medical device innovators as possible. "We want to give individuals and companies a bit more time to submit their application. Consistent with our mission of advancing pediatric surgical innovation, the goal of this competition is to encourage the development of medical solutions that will improve treatment for children everywhere," she added.

The competition invites proposals from inventors in medical institutions, private practices, device companies and academic researchers who have medical device concepts or ideas for use with pediatric patients. Proposals should address a significant, yet unmet need within the pediatric population with a device idea that lends itself to commercialization.

Judges for the competition include Dr. Charles Berul, chief of cardiology at Children's National, and three members from venture capital, innovation incubator and accelerator organizations. The competition is sponsored by the law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, and one of the firm's partners, Mark Fitzgerald, will serve as a moderator.

The "Make your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!" competition is a part of the Sheikh Zayed Institute Second Annual Pediatric Surgical Innovation Symposium, "Lessons from Drugs to Devices: A Pediatric Perspective," which takes place on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at The Knight Conference Center at The Newseum in Washington, D.C. The one-day forum will bring together key leaders from the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, medical device industry, law firms, pediatric societies and advocacy groups, along with scientists, engineers, clinicians and policy makers to examine and discuss the challenges surrounding pediatric surgical innovation and the need for greater innovation. The keynote speaker is Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, the commissioner of the FDA.

For symposium details and registration, visit www.pediatric-surgery-symposium.org. 

About Children's National Health System
Children's National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Children's National's hospital is Magnet® designated and is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News & World Report. Home to the Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is one of the nation's top NIH-funded pediatric institutions. With a community-based pediatric network, eight regional outpatient centers, an ambulatory surgery center, two emergency rooms, an acute care hospital, and collaborations throughout the region, Children's National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as an advocate for all children. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140922/147577

SOURCE Children’s National Health System