Children's Research Institute
Historical Timeline
Use the navigation below to follow the history of research at Children's National Medical Center.
Zenaide Maria Quezado, MD
1947
Children's Pioneers Pediatric Research
Children's began its research in 1947 with $2,500. By 1961, $500,000 was allocated in Children's budget for research. Today, Children's Research Institute continues to grow and is a top funded pediatric research institution in terms of NIH-funding.
1956
"Progress in medicine through, research and education, is essential to good patient care."
-- Robert Parrott, MD, named first director of the Research Foundation in 1956.
1960s
In 1964, Judson Randolph, MD, Children's Chief Surgeon at the time, developed the first pediatric surgical residency program in the country. Today Children's surgery department trains more than 150 surgical residents.
1970s
Children's Dr. Gordon Avery pioneered research-based best practices
1980s
Through the 70s and 80s, Children's research team tackled the most pressing pediatric disorders and diseases.
1980s
1989
Children's leadership conceived and developed a strategic plan that resulted in the formation of a separate entity within Children's National Medical Center called Children's National Medical Center Research, which was later changed to Children's Research Institute (CRI).
CRI eventually formed four research centers focusing on clinical and community research, genetic medicine research, cancer and immunology research, and neuroscience research.
1990s
As part of the focus on the future, the Research Institute opened state-of the art facilities and recruited some of the best and brightest in the field.
Mark L. Batshaw, MD, became the first Director of CRI and Stephen Ladisch, MD, became the first scientific director.
Mark L. Batshaw, MD
2000s
Children's Research Institute is leading the way in finding cures and treatments for childhood disorders and diseases including muscular dystrophy, sickle cell disease, obesity, and brain tumors.
Zenaide Maria Quezado, MD
Mendel Tuchman, MD
2000s
2008
Children's opens additional research space (20,000 sq. ft.) which brings the total amount of space to 100,000 square feet.
2000s
2009
Children's creates the Center for Molecular Physiology Research.
Children's, jointly with George Washington University, created the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Children's National to foster greater collaborations and speed research into treatments for childhood diseases.
Children's National receives the largest gift ever given for pediatric surgery, which launches the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. The Institute researches treatments and technology designed to make surgery more precise, less invasive, and pain free.
2010s
Children's, in partnership with George Washington University, receives the first NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award given directly to a children's hospital.
