#United States #Philadelphia #Children's Hospital #Pediatric Cardiology #Andrew Landstrom

New Blood in Pediatric Cardiac Care at CHOP

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has recently made significant strides in the realm of pediatric cardiac care with the announcement of new leadership appointments at its Cardiovascular Institute (CVI). Dr. Andrew Landstrom, an accomplished physician-scientist specializing in heritable arrhythmias and genetic cardiac diseases, has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Translational Research at CHOP’s CVI. He is set to start his role in February 2026.

Advancing Knowledge and Care

Dr. Landstrom comes to CHOP from the Duke University School of Medicine, where he has served as an Associate Professor within the Pediatrics and Cell Biology departments. He has established a prominent reputation in his field and an impressive portfolio of research. As he steps into this new role, he expresses his eagerness to collaborate with the exceptional teams at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania, aiming to expand the frontiers of pediatric cardiovascular research for the benefit of patients and their families.

At the CHOP CVI, the mission revolves around driving scientific discovery to improve medical outcomes for children suffering from various cardiovascular conditions. This initiative is one of the few comprehensive pediatric cardiovascular research programs available, supported by CHOP’s Cardiac Center—one of the largest pediatric cardiac facilities nationwide.

A Holistic Approach to Pediatric Cardiovascular Health

As Director of Translational Research, Dr. Landstrom will kickstart a dedicated translational research program aimed specifically at addressing pediatric heart and vascular disease. His responsibilities will include recruiting new talent, mentoring faculty and trainees, and forging partnerships with CVI leadership to strengthen pediatric cardiovascular research. Additionally, he will oversee the establishment of a specialized clinic that focuses on genetically determined heart and vascular diseases within the Cardiac Center.

During his tenure at Duke, Dr. Landstrom headed an NIH-funded research initiative that embraced cellular, molecular, and genomic methodologies to decode inherited cardiovascular ailments. His ultimate goal is to pave the way for advancements in genetic, genomic, and precision medicine therapies. In the clinical realm, he directs the Cardiovascular Genetics program and spearheads the Pediatric Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic at Duke's Pediatric Congenital Heart Center.

Supporting Leaders in Research and Clinical Care

Alongside Dr. Landstrom, two other esteemed professionals have assumed leadership roles at the CHOP CVI. Dr. Liming Pei has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Fundamental Discovery. He will bolster laboratory-based research while enhancing collaboration between the Penn/CHOP campus and the Penn Cardiovascular Institute and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, focusing on cardiometabolic diseases.

Dr. Michael O’Byrne has also joined as the inaugural Director of Clinical Research and will be responsible for molding a comprehensive clinical research strategy that combines clinical science with basic and translational research. His initiative will also enhance collaboration between clinicians and researchers within the CHOP Cardiac Center.

A Vision for the Future

Daniel P. Kelly, MD, who serves as the Director of the CVI, heralded these appointments as transformative for pediatric cardiovascular research. He emphasized their commitment to not only advancing treatment innovations but also fostering a supportive environment for patients and their families.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia stands as a beacon of hope and healing, having been the nation’s first pediatric hospital since its founding in 1855. With its commitment to exceptional patient care and groundbreaking research, CHOP remains at the forefront of advancing pediatric healthcare. Their initiative to enhance pediatric cardiovascular care through newly appointed leadership signifies their ongoing dedication to improving the health and well-being of children facing cardiovascular challenges.

For more information on CHOP and its extensive programs, please visit www.chop.edu.