In the ever-evolving field of pediatric medicine, innovation and collaboration are pivotal. At Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, we have embraced these principles to revolutionize patient care. Six years ago, through a partnership between the Departments of Surgery and Radiology, we inaugurated our hybrid operating room (OR). This state-of-the-art facility integrates traditional surgical capabilities with cutting-edge interventional radiology imaging technology. The primary goal was to enhance image guidance in surgeries, fostering a seamless blend of expertise from various surgical subspecialties and interventional radiology.
The hybrid OR has not only transformed some surgical procedures but has also paved the way for remarkable collaborations with other proceduralists, particularly with Interventional Pulmonology. Over the past five years, this teamwork has thrived, facilitated by the advanced technology in the hybrid OR and the Interventional Radiology Translational Research and Simulation Lab (IR-TRSL). This collaboration, led by Drs. Gregory Burg and Erik Hysinger from the Department of Pulmonology and Dr. John Racadio from the Department of Radiology, has resulted in the creation of minimally invasive diagnostic and interventional pulmonary procedures that are establishing new benchmarks in pediatric care. Additionally, other interventionalists, including Drs. Dan Benscoter, John Brewington, Cherie Torres-Silva, and Sara Zak from Pulmonary, as well as Drs. Kent Cabatingan, Neil Johnson, and Manish Patel from Interventional Radiology, are actively contributing to the advancement of future endoscopic techniques.
This multidisciplinary approach encompasses pulmonology, interventional radiology, pathology, and adult interventional pulmonology, creating a robust framework for groundbreaking research and innovative patient care. This collaboration has garnered substantial support, including a Research Innovation and Pilot grant, a Trustee award, external industry funding, and a prestigious R01 grant. The academic contributions are noteworthy, with two peer-reviewed publications, two more under review, and multiple abstracts presented at national and international pulmonology and radiology conferences.
Clinically, the efforts have significantly improved patient outcomes, attracting national and international referrals for novel pediatric interventions. Industry partners have also pledged support, providing cutting-edge equipment that expands capabilities in treating pediatric respiratory diseases with minimally invasive techniques.
Looking ahead, the expertise from this collaboration will extend beyond Cincinnati Children’s. Utilizing the pulmonary nodule model developed in the IR-TRSL, plans are underway to educate healthcare providers through national and international courses on pediatric interventional pulmonology in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Additional key radiology and pulmonary contributors to the success include Amanda Wallingford, program manager of hybrid OR image-guided surgery; Ross Schierling, IR-TRSL lab manager; and Carolyn Wallace, pulmonary bronchoscopy clinical manager. Their dedication has been instrumental in driving projects forward.
This multidisciplinary approach between Interventional Radiology and Interventional Pulmonology at Cincinnati Children’s, supported by the hybrid OR and the IR-TRSL, has led to significant clinical advancements and research achievements. This collaboration not only enhances patient care but also elevates the institution’s reputation on a national and international level. The continued support and collective efforts ensure that Cincinnati Children’s remains at the forefront of pediatric respiratory disease treatment and research.
Amanda Wallingford is the current program manager for Interventional Radiology Translational Research and Simulation Lab (IR-TRSL). She is also a technologist and Interventional Radiology safety coach. As coaches they educate employees on expected safety behaviors. They also help roll out safety initiatives and act as safety resources and role models in their respective Radiology subsections. In 2016 she was awarded the Department's Safety Award.
Meredith Towbin is a freelance copy editor and writer. She has copyedited the Department of Radiology’s blog since it launched. She also works as a copy editor for the home improvement website BobVila.com. Her writing has been featured on HuffPost as well as other writing sites.
Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.
