Columbia University Launches New $50M Center for Pediatric Heart Disease Innovation

Columbia University Launches New $50M Center for Pediatric Heart Disease Innovation

What You Should Know:

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) announced the establishment of the Garrett Isaac Neubauer Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, dedicated to improving the lives of children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

– The $50M center, fueled by a $15M gift from Lawrence Neubauer alongside additional support from Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian, seeks to create a brighter future for children with CHD.

Transforming Pediatric Cardiac Care

CHD affects nearly 40,000 newborns in the US annually, ranging from mild to severe heart malformations.

Columbia boasts world-renowned expertise in pediatric cardiology, surgery, and subspecialties, positioning the center for success. The center’s mission is to:

– Outcome measurement: Identifying the most effective treatments and establishing performance benchmarks.

– Research on CHD development and treatment: Utilizing Columbia’s resources in genetics, xenotransplantation, valve development, and 3D printing to advance CHD understanding and treatment.

– Training the next generation of CHD and pediatric cardiology experts.

Garrett Isaac Neubauer Center for Cardiovascular Innovation Leadership

The center will leverage the expertise of renowned leaders across pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, and other relevant specialties at Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian. It will be led by a team of specialists:

– Dr. Jordan S. Orange, MD, PhD: Chair of Pediatrics at VP&S and Physician-in-Chief of NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.

– Dr. Christopher Petit, MD: Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology.

– Dr. Emile Bacha, MD: Chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery.

“After we lost Garrett, we wanted to help other families avoid our situation,” Neubauer said. “We know that our work with Columbia will support new research and care that will aid so many other families and patients facing congenital heart disease. His memory is our inspiration.” Garrett would have turned 22 in 2023.