His vision has gone viral in the best possible way. In leading hospital-wide innovation and intelligence at CHOC, Dr. Anthony Chang, medical director, CHOC Heart Institute, has organized a collaborative, international team of physicians and researchers to transform pediatric medicine.
Representatives from close to 100 pediatric institutions attended last October’s inaugural “Pediatrics 2040” conference of the Sharon Disney Lund Medical Intelligence and Innovations Institute (Mi4). An attendee from Bambino Gesù Hospital was so inspired by the conference, he returned to Rome to organize the European version of “Pediatrics 2040” for this fall.
“I never dreamed the meeting could launch a whole new international coalition of pediatric leadership,” said Dr. Chang, who is consulting on the European conference. “It is becoming a universal language to make a difference in pediatrics, and we’re excited that CHOC gets to be a facilitating institution.”
In June, Mi4 will sponsor a two-day pediatric innovation leadership forum, the first of its kind among hospital innovation centers, which number fewer than 12. Most of them have confirmed, including Cleveland Clinic, Boston Children’s, Stanford, Children’s at Egleston (Atlanta), Toronto Sick Kids, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Bambino Gesù Hospital.
Dr. Chang ultimately envisions “innovation engines” in all children’s hospitals. “We inherit good ideas from adult medicine and technology, but why not have innovation start in the children’s hospitals?” he said. “We have every right to expect high-level innovation for children.”
Embracing Technology, Innovation to Improve Care
From nurses to emergency room physicians, Mi4 encompasses all CHOC departments and specialties. One possible project is using robotics to enhance patient rounding and parent education. Dr. Chang also has his sights set on the more ambitious goal of creating vast neural networks comprised of the world’s best experts on every pediatric topic.
As healthcare delivery systems and devices become “smarter,” community pediatricians also have a key role, including representation on the Mi4 advisory board.
“We have received tremendous support from Michelle Lund and Robert Wilson of the Sharon D. Lund Foundation, and from CHOC, particularly Kim Cripe, Matt Gerlach, Dr. Maria Minon, Dr. Nick Anas, Dr. Jason Knight, Dr. Mustafa Kabeer and Dr. Sharief Taraman,” Dr. Chang said. “CHOC is the first hospital to incorporate intelligence with innovation, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Monthly Mi4 Meetings
Open to all CHOC medical staff, meetings are held the third Monday of the month and feature updates on genomic medicine, regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, medical devices, artificial intelligence and robotics. For more information, contact Dr. Chang.
