171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
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April 2006
Children's Research Institute News Brief
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Bernard L. Maria, MD, MBA
Executive Director
Darby Children's
Research Inst. |
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Inderjit Singh, PhD
Scientific Director
Darby Children's
Research Inst. |
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The newly formed SC Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN) is looking for research ideas from academics, including bench top
researchers, and practicing pediatricians.
The network is a group of seven private pediatric practices that have come together to research innovative approaches to providing
better care for kids.
"The purpose of the network is to take these innovations from the medical center out into the community," says Paul Darden, MD, a
professor in the pediatric department and one of the founders of the SCPPRN.
"Our hope is to coordinate research with bench top people at the DCRI to do translational research," he explains.
Partially supported by a federal grant, the SCPPRN began taking shape about a year ago. Dr. Darden says the network expects to continue
to expand by adding more private practices.
"We believe this network is a necessary 'laboratory' for clinical research," says Dr. Darden. Initial projects, which are based on the
interests of the network as well as the grant, include developmental screening of infants, immunization assessment, and medication errors.
"We are looking for ideas from researchers at the DCRI to test, using the expertise of the clinicians in our research network to modify
these ideas and make them important and doable," he says. Dr. Darden adds, "We're very interested in research related to Vitamin D."
Networks like SCPPRN are important to the vision of translating research findings into new medical practices that serve children and their
families. Such networks are also a form of outreach into the community.
"Translational research brings basic science discoveries into the clinic, and best practices into the community," says Dr. Bernard Maria,
executive director of the DCRI.
In addition, the DCRI is actively involved in local schools to ensure that children and teachers understand the value of research. As part
of National Brain Awareness Week in March, DCRI staff visited several schools to discuss the brain, its structure and function. The children
learned about ways to prevent head injury with helmets, and why smoking and drugs contribute to brain injury.
Because the children and teachers had an opportunity to directly examine the human brain and spinal cord (see photos) with a pediatrician and
neuroscientist, the experience served as a powerful and lasting educational experience. The DCRI will continue to reach out into our community
to have the greatest possible impact on its youngest citizens.
National Brain Awareness Week Presentation at Trident Academy
Special thanks to Barbara E. Maria for photographs.
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