Founded in 1855 as the nation’s first hospital dedicated exclusively to children, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has a long history of advancing pediatric medicine and caring for children with rare and complex conditions. CHOP is home to more than 1,160 principal investigators and a robust research enterprise focused on translating scientific discoveries into new treatments and therapies. Several notable medical advances originated there, including the first FDA-approved cell therapy for cancer and the first FDA-approved gene therapy for congenital blindness. In 2025, CHOP treated the first patient in the world with a personalized CRISPR gene-editing therapy, marking a significant milestone in the application of individualized medicine. Beyond research and clinical care, CHOP invests in programs that address behavioral health, community violence, food insecurity, housing instability, and other factors that influence child health and wellbeing. CHOP has been recognized among the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years, and in 2026 was named one of Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies,” leading the healthcare category.
