Dekelboum Family Foundation’s Support Improves Imaging for Children

Children’s National opened the Elsie & Marvin Dekelboum Family Foundation PULSE Center on June 23. This pediatric ultrasound scanning excellence center (PULSE) will enable physicians to provide safer and more precise imaging for children. The rooms have been designed with an ocean theme to help comfort and calm young patients during scanning procedures, with pictures of dolphins, whales, and other animals.

Kurt D. Newman, MD, president and CEO of Children’s National, told the directors of the Dekelboum Family Foundation and other donors, “We are grateful for your continued support and belief in the innovative and technologically advanced work being pioneered here to advance pediatric imaging. The center is truly transformational.”

PULSE is one of the country’s premier pediatric ultrasound diagnostic and therapeutic programs and touches virtually all departments of the hospital. Specifically, the center enables doctors to increase the use of ultrasound and reduce a child’s exposure to radiation-based imaging both during diagnosis and treatment. It will also help improve the accuracy and safety of necessary interventional procedures. Healthcare professionals across medical disciplines at Children’s National will be able to deepen their expertise in ultrasound scanning by receiving training through highly innovative educational technology.

Dr. Ray Sze, division chief of radiology, said, “PULSE will be the place where we care for our patients and families in a manner that provides privacy, warm and welcoming surroundings, and the highest standard of service.”

In 2014, Children’s National performed nearly 14,000 ultrasound diagnostic exams.

View photos from the ribbon-cutting ceremony.