PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Philip R. Johnson Jr., M.D. has been appointed the chief scientific officer and senior vice president for Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In his new position, effective January 1, 2005, Dr. Johnson will lead The Joseph Stokes Research Institute, a world leader in pediatric research. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is ranked second in the nation in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, making it one of the largest and most prestigious pediatric research programs in the nation.
Dr. Johnson is globally recognized for breakthrough work in the development of AIDS vaccines and recombinant DNA technology. His research has garnered significant NIH and industry funding. In addition to his new leadership position with Children’s Hospital, Dr. Johnson will continue his research in these areas.
“Dr. Johnson brings extensive experience in growing and managing complex research enterprises. This, coupled with his impressive scientific accomplishments, will serve to solidify our position as the leader in translational research that benefits pediatric healthcare,” says Steven M. Altschuler, M.D., president and chief executive officer of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Prior to his appointment at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Johnson served as president of the Columbus Children’s Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio for eight years. In addition to leading a growing research enterprise and acting as director for the Center for Gene Therapy, Dr. Johnson was also an endowed chair in Medicine and taught Pediatrics, Microbiology and Veterinary Sciences at Ohio State University College of Medicine.
“I believe that today’s research is tomorrow’s cure. This belief is shared by great pediatric healthcare institutions like Columbus and Philadelphia, who are leading the way in their research enterprises,” Johnson said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead one of the great scientific organizations in the country, and I look forward to sharing my vision and passion with the entire Children’s Hospital community.”
Dr. Johnson completed his medical school training at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his postgraduate pediatric residency and fellowship at Vanderbilt University. After finishing his degree, Dr. Johnson spent six years at the NIH serving as unit leader for the Immunodeficiency Viruses Section.
Founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is ranked in 2004 as the best pediatric hospital in the nation by U.S.News & World Report and in 2003 by Child magazine. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding among children’s hospitals. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents from before birth through age 19. Children’s Hospital operates the largest pediatric healthcare system in the U.S. with more than 40 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Contact: Gina Marchiondo 267-426-6054 Marchiondo@email.chop.edu
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
CONTACT: Gina Marchiondo, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,+1-267-426-6054, Marchiondo@email.chop.edu
Web site: http://www.chop.edu/
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