Wayne J. Franklin, MD, MBA, named as inaugural A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professor of Cardiac Care - Children's National

Children's National Hospital named Wayne J. Franklin, MD, MBA, as the inaugural A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professor of Care.

Dr. Franklin serves as senior vice Cardiac president of the Children's National Heart and Lung Center, a role he assumed in 2024. He leads a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality and innovative pediatric cardiac and pulmonary care. Dr Franklin oversees cardiology, cardiac surgery, cardiac intensive care, cardiovascular anesthesia and pulmonary and sleep medicine, including heart and lung transplant services.

This new endowed professorship was made possible through a generous investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

The big picture

Dr. Franklin joins a distinguished group of Children's National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Children's National is grateful to generous donors who have altogether funded 51 professorships.

Professorships support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient's achievements and the donor's commitment to advancing and sustaining knowledge.

Why it matters

Dr. Franklin is nationally recognized for his research on adult congenital heart disease, specifically single ventricle-Fontan physiology, neurocognitive outcomes, pulmonary hypertension and cardiac disease in pregnancy. He is committed to advancing pediatric cardiac care through technology and innovation to improve the lives of children and families.

"I am deeply honored to become the A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professor of Cardiac Care," Dr. Franklin says. "My goal is to ensure that children born with heart conditions can live full, thriving lives into adulthood. I am committed to advancing the care for patients with heart disease in ways that make a lasting difference for generations to come."

Moving the field forward

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, through their vision and generosity, is ensuring that Dr. Franklin and future holders of this professorship will launch bold, new initiatives to advance the field of cardiovascular research and care, elevate our leadership and improve the lifetimes of children and families with congenital heart disease.

The Clark family and the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation have been steadfast partners of Children's National for more than 30 years. Their first transformational investment established the A. James Clark Distinguished Professorship in Molecular Genetics, one of the hospital's earliest endowed chairs. Since then, their thoughtful and strategic philanthropy has advanced programs that give children healthier childhoods and better outcomes. Their most recent $5 million investment created the A. James & Alice B. Clark Distinguished Professorship in Cardiac Care and will help build a flagship Cardiac Exercise and Rehabilitation Program to improve lifelong outcomes for children with heart disease.

"This professorship is both a vital investment in the future and a celebration of our remarkable partnership with Children's National," says Courtney Clark Pastrick, board chair of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. "With Dr. Franklin as the inaugural chair, I know it will spark discoveries that give children with heart conditions the best possible start in life and the chance to thrive. We are deeply honored to stand behind advancements that truly redefine what's possible for families."