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The Children's Hospital Research Institute
Research
The Children's Hospital Research Institute (TCHRI) was established to facilitate the scientific and clinical investigations of our faculty and staff. Its infrastructure is composed of the following: 1) A grants management group that is involved in all aspects of the development and execution of external funding, including preparation of budgets, protection of intellectual property, and a proper liaison between the principal investigators and the various departments at the hospital; 2) A compliance arm that facilitates safe and ethical studies. TCHRI serves as a focal point for the review of human subjects research; 3) A biostatistical core that helps with study design, data acquisition, and interpretation of results. This group of experienced statisticians is available to any member of the TCH community who is in need of study design assistance; and 4) A Clinical Informatics (CI) group that can assist PI’s with research data management. CI extracts clinical information from institutional data sources for operational and research purposes.
In addition to providing infrastructure for research, TCHRI has assumed additional roles at The Children's Hospital (TCH). Approximately nine years ago, a Clinical Trials Organization (CTO) was established at TCH. This group facilitates industry-sponsored research at the hospital. TCHRI acts as a financial underpinning for the CTO. Likewise, the opportunity to establish the Children's Outcome Research Program (COR) at TCH was realized when TCHRI made a long-term commitment to offset the administrative needs of the program.
One of the major activities of TCHRI is the funding of the creative new ideas and projects of faculty and staff. TCHRI has developed a number of funding programs for completely new ideas (Pilot Grant Awards); for the development of new faculty and staff until such time as they are ready to compete for external awards (Research Scholar Awards); for projects that help the hospital discover better ways to provide care to our patients (Quality Systems Improvement Awards); and for nurses who need assistance to translate a good idea into an active research protocol (Small Nursing Grants). In the event that an investigator loses their funding, TCHRI is available to provide temporary funds until the external source is reestablished (Bridge Fund Awards).
Between 2006 to 2008, TCHRI awarded approximately $1.2 million each year to members of the staff and faculty. This initial investment allowed our investigators to collect the necessary preliminary data to be competitive nationally in their applications for funding to outside agencies such as NIH. Each of these external grants involves expenses ranging from fifty thousand to one million dollars and allows our scientists to make the innovative discoveries that will bring the cures of today’s diseases within our reach and provide the new treatments for children’s diseases tomorrow.
The Children's Hospital Foundation and The Children's Hospital Board of Directors have been key supporters of the TCHRI and its operations. TCH's financial support has been instrumental in both the recruitment and retention of research faculty.
Faculty Research Interests
Faculty research interests are listed in each investigator’s program.
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