Emory, Children's Healthcare to build $90M pediatric center

By Craig Schneider

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will build a $90 million research center that could elevate metro Atlanta to the top tier of pediatric research, drawing millions of dollars in funding and providing local access to cutting-edge care.

More than half the 196,000-square-foot building will focus on the research of illnesses such as pediatric cancer, neonatal diseases and cystic fibrosis, Emory officials said Monday.

The center reflects the growing alliance between Emory and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, pointed out Dr. Paul Spearman, Emory vice chairman for pediatric research and Children’s chief research officer.

Children’s previously announced it would invest a separate $75 million to establish seven pediatric research areas, most earmarked for the new building, which will be located on the Emory campus in the Druid Hills area. Part of that $75 million will be used to hire scientists, doctors and staff for the center, providing more than 200 jobs.

CHOA came to realize that to be considered an elite children’s hospital nationally, a strong research base was required. Emory already had a strong research history.

“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta wants to be a major player in research, so they want to work with an academic partner,” Spearman said.

Bill Todd, Georgia Cancer Coalition president, said the center marks a step forward for local medical research.

“It’s a wonderful addition to the mosaic of research facilities that have developed in Atlanta,” said Todd, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory.

Construction on the building, which also will house programs for cancer research, new drug discovery and immunology, will begin this year and be completed in 2013.

The Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation has provided $25 million toward the capital expenses in the pediatric portion of the building. The charity foundation supports organizations that provide human services to metro Atlanta residents. The foundation, according to its Web site, has an interest in organizations and programs that benefit children and youth. Children’s and Emory hope they can raise much of the remaining money through joint fund-raising.

Russ Hardin, president of the Whitehead Foundation, said the foundation believes Children’s “can achieve their lofty ambitions over the next decade, and the first step is to have a strong research base.”

The Georgia Research Alliance plans to provide funding that equips laboratories in the new facility, president Michael Cassidy said.

The Georgia Cancer Coalition is willing to donate several million dollars to help recruit staff to the facility, Todd said, adding the center could become a magnet for experts, scholars and researchers.

“The best researchers in the country will want to be there,” he said.

Todd talked about that moment when parents hear those “terrible words” that their child has cancer, and said parents are willing to travel great distances, even relocate to another city, to give their children the best care. Metro Atlanta parents will have world-class care in close proximity.

Emory University’s School of Medicine already has a strong affiliation with Children’s Healthcare, providing numerous physicians to work and teach at Children’s three campuses. This new venture would build on that relationship.

“Children’s is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children through clinical excellence, research and teaching,” said Dr. James Fortenberry, who has the dual role of Children’s pediatrician in chief and associate Emory professor. “This is a way to make that happen more quickly.”