Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is advancing an ambitious vision for children’s healthcare, thanks to the generosity of the Shapell Guerin Family Foundation and its president, Vera Guerin.
“Our family is passionate about Cedars-Sinai and about providing a continuum of care for patients from childhood to adulthood,” said Guerin, a longtime Cedars-Sinai supporter, who currently serves as board chair of Cedars-Sinai Health System.
Propelled by this historic $100 million gift – the largest lifetime gift in Cedars-Sinai’s 119-year history – Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s will fill a critical gap in care for young patients in Los Angeles and beyond. It will provide primary and specialty care for patients as they grow from newborns to adolescents to adults. Guerin Children’s is also going to build on Cedars-Sinai’s already robust care in pediatrics and labor and delivery.
According to a release from Cedars-Sinai, in addition to current intensive care pediatric beds, the hospital is renovating an inpatient space with 26 beds that’s scheduled to open this spring. The family-friendly environment is going to feature a game and movie room with interactive screens, children’s art by local artists, a family lounge for adults, a peaceful outdoor garden and furniture that converts into beds for parents who want to stay the night with their children.
“Our family is passionate about Cedars-Sinai and about providing a continuum of care for patients from childhood to adulthood.” – Vera Guerin
The new enterprise will offer patients highly specialized medical care, including a full complement of pediatric specialties, maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric surgery and transplants.
Cedars-Sinai has named Ophir Klein, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized innovator in pediatrics and genetics, as the inaugural executive director of Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, as well as the David and Meredith Kaplan Distinguished Chair in Children’s Health, thanks to a $5 million endowment from the Kaplans.
“Our family is proud to support this exciting new vision for children’s health at Cedars-Sinai,” David Kaplan said. “We believe that Dr. Klein’s leadership will catalyze tangible clinical and research benefits for patients locally and globally.”
Meredith Kaplan added, “We are absolutely thrilled that Dr. Klein will be overseeing this vitally important effort and look forward to the many innovations he will introduce in the years ahead.”
Klein assumes his position on March 1, and will establish Guerin Children’s as an international destination for children and their families and as a leader in pediatric research. He is currently the Larry L. Hillblom Distinguished Professor in Craniofacial Anomalies and the Charles J. Epstein Professor of Human Genetics at the University of California, San Francisco. He serves as chief of the Division of Medical Genetics and chair of the Division of Craniofacial Anomalies, as well as director of the Institute for Human Genetics and the Program in Craniofacial Biology.
Photo by Ruth Andal Photography.
Along with integrating the many specialized services offered through Guerin Children’s, Klein plans to recruit top-tier physicians and scientists, while spearheading highly competitive pediatric residency and fellowship programs.
“Guerin Children’s will provide the highest-quality specialty treatments in the context of a superb healthcare delivery system,” Klein said. “I am thrilled to join Cedars-Sinai and build a comprehensive, world-class academic children’s health program that includes top-notch clinical, research and educational efforts and will truly meet the needs of patients throughout their lifetimes.”
As vice dean for Children’s Services at Cedars-Sinai, Klein will partner with academic and hospital leadership to advance clinical, academic and operational initiatives.
“We intend to establish Guerin Children’s as an international destination for children and their families and as a leader in pediatric care and research in the United States,” said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. “The support and vision of Vera Guerin and the Shapell Guerin Family Foundation will have a lasting impact on the health of generations of children and families.”
Guerin said she hopes that Guerin Children’s will have an enduring impact on children’s health in the L.A. community while serving patients elsewhere through its comprehensive array of services.
“We are honored and humbled to play our part in supporting and building this incredible institution.”
