Professorships Expand Work in Neurofibromatosis

Thanks to the generous support of Jennifer and Dan Gilbert, Children’s National is expanding its work to improve care and research for children with neurofibromatosis. On Jan. 7, Children's National installed Roger J. Packer, MD, and Yuan Zhu, PhD, as the first two Gilbert Family Professors in Neurofibromatosis. The Gilberts made a commitment to establish the Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute in 2007, and their most recent gift will help expand neurofibromatosis research and its translation into clinical care. As part of that gift, the Gilberts created three professorships in neurofibromatosis that will help to retain, recruit, and support world-class faculty in this area. Dr. Packer was named the Gilbert Family Distinguished Professor of Neurofibromatosis, and his focus will be improving treatment for children with the neurologic disease. Dr. Zhu was named the Gilbert Family Professor of Neurofibromatosis Research, allowing him to focus on neurofibromatosis research and its translation into clinical care. Read more.