Young Leadership Alliance
The Young Leadership Alliance (YLA) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a select group of individuals dedicated to changing the landscape of pediatric healthcare through active, engaged philanthropy. With a minimum annual investment of $5,000, members advance CHOP’s mission by leveraging collective giving in support of projects that will make a direct and meaningful impact on CHOP patients.
Passion. Philanthropy. Purpose.
Each year, YLA members hear directly from CHOP care providers and researchers about innovative solutions to four high-priority problems facing children in Philadelphia and beyond. Projects proposals span across four pillars of impact: Research, Training & Education, Community & Advocacy, and Patient-Family Experience. Through collective discussion and a live “Shark Tank” style vote, members choose which project they would like their collective investment to go toward. One year later, all members receive an impact report detailing the results of the project they funded and the impact made possible by their giving.
Selected Projects
2025
2025 Selected project
Experimental Therapeutics for Rare Immunologic Disease
Lead: Edwards Behrens, MD, Chief, Division of Rheumatology
Team:
- Lindsay Waqar-Cowles. MPH, PhD, Division of Rheumatology
- Chanté Smith, MHS, Division of Rheumatology
Summary: At CHOP Rheumatology, we see many of these children and their families who are desperate for relief as they have already tried many options elsewhere. The team aims to provide comprehensive regulatory service to physicians and families, providing a smooth and friendly process to help everyone overcome the regulatory burdens of experimental care. They will also develop tools and best practices to spread our methods to others both within and outside of CHOP, helping them to more efficiently do the same for their patients.
Amount Awarded: $240,000
2024
2024 Selected Project
Children with Medical Complexity Medication Study Team (CMC MoST)
Lead: Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief, Division of General Pediatrics
Team:
- Kevin Downes, MD, Attending Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases
- Nicholas Bamet, MD, MSCE, Attending Physician, Division of Neonatology
- Frank Balis, MD, Louis and Amelia Canuso Family Endowed Chair for Clinical Research in Oncology
- Stephen Master, MD, PhD, Division Chief and Director, Metabolic and Advanced Diagnostics
- Lauren Karel, PharmD, Clinical Specialist in Drug Information
Summary: At CHOP, a quarter of hospitalized patients are considered medically complex. They depend on many medications – sometimes up to 15 each day – to stay alive. These medications are often delivered through stomach and intestinal tubes. Based on how they are administered, we have no data on how well the medicines are absorbed by the body. The CMC MoST Team aims to conduct a study to obtain this data and learn vital information that will enhance CHOP’s ability to provide personalized care and radically improve outcomes for all children with medical complexity.
Amount Awarded: $202,000
2023
2023 Selected project
Remote Patient Management: The Future of Pediatric Healthcare
Lead: Bimal Desai, MD, MBI, FAAP, Assistant Vice President and Chief Health Informatics Officer
Team:
- Kathryn Fuller, Virtual Care Portfolio Leader
- Sarah Hadley, Digital Therapeutics Portfolio Leader
Summary: This project aims to create a world-class Remote Patient Management (RPM) Program, powered by mobile applications and connected medical devices, along with text messages, to support medically complex patients and their caregivers in the transition from hospital to home.
Amount Awarded: $131, 300
Why I joined
Philip Origlio
“As a young asthmatic, I spent countless hours at CHOP receiving the best care. Receiving this care afforded me a normal, healthy childhood with the ability to play sports and not be held back by my condition. My experience also helped me to develop an appreciation of the importance of cutting edge pediatric care. Today, as a father of two and with federal funding for basic research at risk, I feel an urgent need to get involved and to help maintain the high level of care for my children and all children in the region.”
Emily and Doug Yass
“We joined the Young Leadership Alliance because of our personal experience at CHOP when our daughter was just one month old. In what was an overwhelming and scary time for new parents, our doctors and care team provided not only exceptional medical care but also comfort and compassion. That experience left a lasting impact on us, and we want to give back by supporting CHOP and the groundbreaking work they are doing for children and families in our community.”
Christy Palazzese
“Although I live in New York City currently, my roots in Philadelphia will always bring me home. I wanted to get involved, give back, and support positive growth to the Philadelphia community, even from a different city. CHOP YLA and it’s mission align with my values and offer the opportunity to make a meaningful impact to Philadelphia and the CHOP community, beyond the city of brotherly love.”
Young Leadership Alliance Photos
