Dr. Paul Checchia named president of Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society

HOUSTON - (Jan.14, 2015) - Dr. Paul Checchia, medical director of the Cardiovascular IntensiveCare Unit (CVICU) at Texas Children's Hospital, has been elected president ofthe Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (PCICS). Checchia's two-year termwill begin in May. For more information about Texas Children's Heart Center,ranked #2 in the nation by U.S. News World Report, visit texaschildrens.org/heart.

"I am honored to be named presidentof the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society," says Checchia, who is also aprofessor of pediatrics-critical care and cardiology at Baylor College ofMedicine. "As a member of the society since its inception 16 years ago, I havewitnessed firsthand the progress in care and improvement in outcomes that hasbeen made throughout the pediatric cardiac critical care sector as a result ofthe work done by the society and its members."

In his presidential role, Checchiawill work to establish an international standard for cardiac intensive careunits, develop standardized training objectives and create enduring educationalmaterials such as textbooks, databases and continuing medical educationprograms.

PCICS is an international professional forum forpromoting excellence in pediatric cardiac critical care medicine. Throughprograms, meetings and educational curriculums, the society has a large role invital research and training that will improve the level of care of pediatric patientswith congenital heart disease and acquired cardiovascular disease. Most recently, Checchia and 20 Texas Children's physiciansand nurses attended and presented cutting-edge research at the society's 10^thInternational Conference, a three-day multidisciplinary, interactive program inMiami.

"We are so proud of Dr. Checchia's appointment to this importantposition," says Dr. Lara Shekerdemian, chief of critical care medicine at TexasChildren's and professor of pediatrics-critical care at Baylor. "His passion incaring for our most critically ill patients and elevating our program continuesto be showcased on an international level. This is a well-deserved honor."

As one of the largest and most active units in the nation,Texas Children's 21-bed CVICU cares for children in need of specialized carefor their cardiac condition. Each year, the unit admits more than 900 childrenwith heart disease, the majority of whom have undergone heart surgery. With oneof the largest number of faculty in the nation, Texas Children's cardiaccritical care subspecialty is actively training the next generation of criticalcare specialists.

The CVICU multidisciplinary team includes cardiovascularintensivists trained in pediatric cardiology, pediatric cardiovascularanesthesiology and pediatric critical care. They work alongside cardiacsurgeons and together with a team of highly specialized nurses, respiratorytherapists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide the bestcare and outcomes for our patients.

To learn more about PCICS visit pcics.org.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.