ST. PETERSBURG – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has partnered with All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine to enhance the institution’s pediatric research and create new jobs for Florida.

DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “DEO is pleased to support the growth of the biotechnology industry in the Tampa Bay region. By making strategic investments in this sector, Florida can emerge as a national leader in biotech research and employment.”

During the 2014 session, the Florida Legislature appropriated $2 million in the DEO budget for the All Children’s Hospital project. The hospital will continue to hire new personnel to the Pediatric Research Zone and purchase new research equipment including a centrifuge, mass spectrometer. As the state’s only pediatric research biorepository, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Biorepository is designed to collect and store patient specimens to support future research for specific patients or pediatric ailments. All Children’s Hospital has recruited a physician who specializes in biorepository research. Researchers hope to compare data from studies on children with acute or chronic health conditions with another study on healthy children to further investigate risk factors and causes of childhood diseases.

“We are appreciative to the Governor, DEO, and the Florida Legislature for their support,” said Jonathan Ellen, M.D., president and physician-in-chief, All Children's Hospital and vice dean and professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “We believe the state and taxpayers investment in the pediatric research zone will not only lead to advancements in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric illnesses affecting Florida’s children and their families but also attract new pediatric scientists and support a research platform that will facilitate the growth of the state’s emerging leadership in the biotechnology industry.”

Senator Jack Latvala said, ““All Children’s Hospital is a valuable institution for the St. Petersburg area and the many families they serve through their world class pediatric care. This partnership will enable even more research and treatment to benefit children’s health, while also creating jobs in the area.”

Senator Jeff Brandes said, “Projects like these at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital continue to grow Florida’s world class leadership in pediatric care. This funding helps produce ground-breaking research right here in our community, and I am proud to stand with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.”

All Children’s Hospital is also working on research and treatment for pediatric obesity, expanding into factors related to mental health and nutrition. Two physicians specializing in childhood obesity have been hired to lead these efforts. Additional research establishments at All Children’s Hospital supported by the grant from DEO include the mind and body branch of the All Children’s Neuroscience Institute, the PREDICT (Prospective Research on Early Determinants of Illness and Children's health Trajectories) study,  iPICS (Institution-wide Prospective Inception Cohort Study), Metabolic Determinants Core, the Cancer Institute, the Heart Institute and Clinical, and Translational Research Organization.

Notable research institutions are taking note of the state-of-the-art equipment, specialists and work being done at All Children’s Hospital. The biotech industry in Florida is growing and expansions such as this will only add to Florida’s growing reputation as a hub for biotech research.

About All Children’s Hospital
All Children’s Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine located in St. Petersburg, is the most advanced children’s hospital on Florida’s west coast and a U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital, ranking in the top 50 in three specialty areas. With over 50 pediatric specialties and 259 beds, All Children’s is dedicated to advancing children’s health through treatment, research, education and advocacy. Programs that include a Clinical and Translational Research Organization, pediatric biorepository and a new pediatric residency program are driving innovation in personalized pediatric medicine and child health. A network of 11 outpatient care centers in eight counties along with affiliate programs at regional hospitals makes All Children’s a leading provider of care for Florida’s children.

About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts.  This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities.  For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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