Dr. Zena Quezado has joined the Clinical Center pediatrics team as the first chief of Pediatric Anesthesia and Critical Care. She will head up a new special pediatric observation unit, located in 1 NW, which will provide additional support for patient safety in pediatric research.
Quezado, previously a fellow in the Critical Care Medicine Department and later chief of Anesthesiology at the Clinical Center, spent the past seven years at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She is a seasoned professional in pediatric anesthesia with close to 20 years of experience.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for me and being back at the Clinical Center is almost like coming home," said Quezado.
The pediatric unit will include four beds where children who require closer observation will be able to have cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring. Children who may need intensive care will continue to
be treated in the Clinical Center ICU or be transferred to outside pediatric hospitals.
"We're thrilled to have Dr. Quezado return to the NIH to lead this exciting new program to ensure a safe environment going forward for children who are volunteering to help us with our research," said Dr.
John I. Gallin, NIH associate director for clinical research and chief scientific officer for the Clinical Center, who led the effort for the new unit and to bring Quezado to the hospital.