“We admire Stanford’s and Packard’s commitment to research on the frontiers of medicine, and their willingness to take on challenging problems. We want to do what we can to involve more people in the work of advancing pediatric care.”
- Harry Hagey
Pediatric research at the Stanford School of Medicine received a tremendous boost with the Hageys’ gift to establish the Hagey Family Program in Pediatric Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. The endowment provides funding to junior faculty and research fellows, selected on a competitive basis, to conduct interdisciplinary research on childhood illnesses.
The Hageys were inspired by the great promise that regenerative medicine holds for improving pediatric care. Stem cell research is applicable to many different diseases and has become integral to almost every area of medical research, ranging from congenital heart disease to traumatic injury to cancer.
In recognition of their gift, Stanford’s Pediatric Surgery Research Lab was renamed the Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine. Research efforts are overseen by Michael Longaker, MD, director of the Children’s Surgical Research Program and the Deane P. and Louise Mitchell Professor in the School of Medicine. Longaker has been an enthusiastic, driving force in making Stanford a worldwide leader in stem cell research.
“We’re bringing together collaborators across the basic sciences, engineering, clinical research, and clinical care, all of whom are passionate about making a difference in children’s health,” says Longaker. “Thanks to the Hageys’ investment, we can move forward in the most promising avenues of research and train the next generation of investigators and leaders.”
The Hageys are longstanding friends and supporters of Packard Children’s Hospital. Mr. Hagey is a member of the Hospital Board of Directors, and Mr. and Mrs. Hagey have hosted patient families through the Hospital’s Homes with a Heart program for over 10 years. They also have provided generous support for pediatric palliative care and children’s surgical research.