“We’re at a critical juncture for pediatric research,” Stewart Goldman, MD, chair of the department of children’s health and senior vice president of research at Phoenix Children’s and the University of Arizona College of Medicine, also in Phoenix, and a pediatric hematologist-oncologist who has practiced pediatric neuro-oncology, told Becker’s. “Historically, pediatricians have led groundbreaking advances — like eradicating Haemophilus influenzae type B with effective treatments, pioneering congenital screening for conditions like phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism, and reducing sudden infant death syndrome.”
However, Dr. Goldman noted that the trend of fewer researchers and limited funding has made building and sustaining research careers “increasingly challenging.” In the most recent fellowship match, 36% of pediatric programs and 31% of pediatric subspecialty programs went unfilled.
“This shortage jeopardizes the future of academic pediatric research,” Dr. Goldman said.
What can be done?
There are a few things systems can do to overcome the shortage. To start, strong partnerships between hospitals and academic institutions are vital for ensuring a strong pipeline of financial support for research, Dr. Goldman said.
“We must remember that the C-suite, practicing physicians and academic institutions all share the same mission: improving the lives of children we serve now and in the future,” he said. “Financial stability is, of course, a priority — no margin, no mission — but advancing clinical excellence and innovation requires recruiting physician-researchers and surgeon-scientists. This benefits not only research but also fosters collaboration and attracts top physicians. At Phoenix Children’s, we’ve had tremendous support from our CEO, who emphasizes rigorous planning to ensure these efforts directly benefit patients and the community.”
Mentorship is another essential element, according to Dr. Goldman, that helps guide young scientists through the challenges of securing funding and developing effective research.
How Phoenix Children’s is leading the field
Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, in partnership with the University of Arizona, has spearheaded efforts to recruit and retain top scientists. These researchers are making immediate and long-term impacts on the future of healthcare.
“For example, Dr. Vladimir Kalinichenko [MD] published groundbreaking research in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine on growing mouse lungs in a rat model,” Dr. Goldman said. “This could pave the way for growing human lungs for transplantation. We’re also seeing real-time advancements. Dr. Thomas Sitzman’s [MD] craniofacial team is transforming care for children with cleft lip and palate, ensuring proper nutrition and feeding early in life. Dr. Michael Kruer’s [MD] work on movement disorders and cerebral palsy is uncovering genetic causes and tailoring treatments.”
The health system has over 700 studies underway, spanning areas such as cancer, kidney disease and behavioral health.
The future of pediatric research
Despite challenges, Dr. Goldman sees a bright future for pediatric research, filled with opportunities.
“Even late in my career, I’ve never been more excited about the future of pediatric research,” he said. “The opportunities ahead are endless, and I’m optimistic about the breakthroughs pediatricians will achieve to shape the future.”
Dr. Goldman predicted that the next major developments will likely stem from precision and individualized medicine, genomic advances and behavioral health research.
