PALO ALTO, Calif-- Stephen J. Roth, M.D., M.P.H., a nationally recognized cardiac intensivist and researcher at Children's Hospital Boston, has been named director of the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, effective October 1.
 
"Dr. Roth is a wonderful addition to our team," said Frank Hanley, M.D., director of the Children's Heart Center at Packard. "His exceptional experience and leadership skills will further enhance our ability to treat children needing this very special care."
 
The CVICU is the center of pre- and post-surgical care for children with congenital and acquired heart disease. Besides overseeing patient care in the CVICU, Roth will be developing new hospital programs focusing on clinical care, research and training in the subspecialty of pediatric cardiac intensive care. Roth will also be appointed an associate professor of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
 
Daniel Bernstein, M.D., Packard's chief of pediatric cardiology and co-director of the Children's Heart Center, lauded Roth’s "national reputation as a splendid teacher, researcher, clinician and team builder. Best of all, he's a first-rate physician who's a proven and compassionate leader in the post-surgical care of children with congenital heart defects," Bernstein said.
 
At Children's Hospital Boston, the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Roth currently is associate director of the cardiac intensive care unit and also its director of clinical research. Additionally, he is associate chief of the division of intensive care cardiology, and is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
 
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Roth. "The Children's Heart Center at Packard is bringing together an outstanding group of cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses who are dedicated to the care of children with heart disease. As director of the CVICU, I look forward to collaborating with this multi-disciplinary group to manage these children."
 
To Packard's chief of pediatric intensive care, Lorry Frankel, M.D., "Dr. Roth's background, experience and reputation for innovation will play an important role in helping us achieve our vision."
 
Packard Hospital president and CEO Christopher Dawes is delighted to have Roth on board. "This is a dynamic time for our hospital," said Dawes. "Over the past several years we have been fortunate to assemble a world class team of professionals to care for the unique needs of children with heart disease. Dr. Roth's nationally recognized expertise in patient care and research helps us build on the outstanding team we already have in place."
 
"It's an exciting move," said Roth. "Among children’s hospitals in the country, Packard has developed a high degree of momentum, and this is especially the case within the Children’s Heart Center. It's very appealing to be a part of a team that is focused on developing innovative therapies for children with congenital heart defects."
 
Roth's research, teaching and patient care contributions are extensive. His research leadership has been primarily focused on the reduction of postoperative morbidity and mortality of children who require major cardiac surgery. Roth has been a co-principal investigator in several clinical trials of both groundbreaking surgical techniques and investigational drugs.
 
His current research focus is on the design and execution of prospective clinical trials in pediatric cardiac patients and includes participation as a co-principal investigator and steering committee member in the NIH-sponsored Pediatric Heart Network. As a member of Harvard's faculty, Roth has played a leading role in educating cardiologists and cardiology trainees in the critical care of children with both congenital and acquired heart disease. He plans to continue this role in building a major training program in this specialty at Packard.
 
Roth received his M.D. at the Yale University School of Medicine and his MPH at the Harvard School of Public Health. His undergraduate degree in biochemical sciences is also from Harvard. He has been published extensively in peer-reviewed medical journals, has lectured internationally about pediatric cardiovascular health and disease and has been listed by the group Best Doctors in America as one of the nation's leading physicians.
 

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About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 240-bed hospital devoted entirely to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric medical and surgical services associated with Stanford University Medical Center, Packard offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health-care programs and services - from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. To learn more about Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, please visit our web site at www.lpch.org.