Letter from the Chief Academic Officer

I am excited and honored to address you as your new Chief Academic Officer and Chair of Pediatrics. It’s a privilege to join this incredible community, where the legacy of academic productivity and esteemed leaders has set the stage for enhancing the impactful research in pediatric health conducted here at Children’s National Hospital.

First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Catherine Bollard, M.B.Ch.B., M.D., who has served as the Interim Chief Academic Officer and Chair of Pediatrics, for her great dedication over the past year. Her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration has left a lasting impression, and I’m eager to build on the momentum she has established.

As I step into this role, my vision is deeply rooted in the principles of team science. I believe that by breaking down silos and promoting collaboration across disciplines, we can unlock new opportunities for discovery that help deliver the most outstanding and patient-centered care to children. Working together in an interdisciplinary fashion allows us to leverage our diverse expertise and perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions for the complex challenges we face in pediatric health.

In this spirit, I am particularly enthusiastic about exploring new frontiers, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Integrating AI into our research (and clinical and other) endeavors can revolutionize our approach to understanding and treating pediatric conditions and enhancing pediatric health in general. By embracing these cutting-edge technologies, we can enhance our research capabilities and drive transformative outcomes for the children and families we serve. And I am also passionate about addressing the most pressing challenges facing us in global pediatric health including the impact of climate change on children.

Our research centers, institutes, Innovation Ventures and operational teams are at the heart of this mission. Together, we can create an environment that encourages open communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every idea is valued, with delivery of the highest standard of care to the patient always in mind. I envision a culture where curiosity and collaboration thrive, enabling us to not only tackle today’s challenges but also anticipate future needs in pediatric medicine. And a healthy culture and great communication is at the heart of it all.

I am particularly impressed by how our centers continue to push boundaries and excel in their respective areas.

• Our Center for Cancer and Immunology Research (CCIR) has made significant strides in fulfilling the promise of cell and gene therapies for children, pushing the frontiers of what is possible in pediatric oncology and immunotherapy.

• The Center for Genetic Medicine Research (CGMR) continues to advance pediatric genetic medicine through interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts across multiple fields to solve some of the most complex genetic disorders.

• Meanwhile, the Center for Neuroscience Research (CNR) has experienced a year of remarkable growth in scientific excellence, furthering our understanding of the developing brain and neurological conditions.

• The Center for Prenatal, Neonatal and Maternal Health Research (CPHNMR), is laying the groundwork for breakthroughs in neonatal care through its revolutionary infant brain health neuromonitoring program.

• The Center for Translational Research (CTR) is demonstrating the promise of translational research in every sense of the term “translation.”  The CTR is facilitating new K awardees to develop their research skills and working to ensure that investigators advancing novel therapies are bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical care.

• At the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation (SZI), we continue to deliver cutting-edge research projects that push the limits of pediatric surgery, ensuring that children everywhere benefit from the latest technological advancements.

We continue to lead within Innovation Ventures, especially in pediatric health security. From groundbreaking research initiatives to commercialization efforts, we are transforming how healthcare systems prepare for and respond to the unique health challenges facing children.

Our Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus (CNRIC) remains a vibrant hub for discovery and innovation, and I am eager to see it continue to foster collaboration across our region. CNRIC enables CNRI to drive specific breakthroughs to ensure we remain at the forefront of global pediatric research.

As we move forward, I am inspired by the incredible talent within our community and the bold ideas coming from our researchers, clinicians and administration. Together, we are well-positioned to lead the way in scientific breakthroughs that will shape the future of pediatric health. We will do this with great collaboration across disciplines and delivery of the best evidence to the bedside, as well as needed advances in health to our local and global communities.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission. I look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with all of you!

Sincerely,

Nathan Kuppermann, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Academic Officer
Children’s National Hospital

Chair of Pediatrics
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences