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New VP Will Promote Entrepreneurship, Innovation at CHOP
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently announced that Patrick K. FitzGerald has been appointed to the newly created position of Vice President for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
In this role, Mr. FitzGerald will lead Children’s Hospital’s commitment to creating a centralized hub for managing existing and future projects in entrepreneurship and innovation. He will evaluate new opportunities and identify funding channels; will lead CHOP’s alternative monetization strategies and direct investments in early-stage companies, co-investment vehicles, joint ventures, and other partnerships; and will coordinate education efforts around such opportunities.
“We are excited that Patrick is joining CHOP and bringing his extensive entrepreneurial expertise to bear as we pursue innovative clinical and research projects,” said Bryan Wolf, MD, PhD, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Mr. FitzGerald will work closely with CHOP’s Office of Technology Transfer, with faculty members, and the Hospital’s executive leadership. Among the projects he will oversee is the entrepreneurial Open Canvas program, launched at CHOP in 2014 in conjunction with the business accelerator company DreamIt Philly.
Mr. FitzGerald, of Merion Station, Pa., holds a J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law and a bachelor of arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. FitzGerald has created or expanded a variety of nationally recognized businesses, including Recyclebank, Nanny Caddy, Philly Car Share, SeedInvest, Philadelphia Distilling, and Brothersport Games. Most recently he has served as an advisor to CHOP in identifying potential business opportunities in research, technology, and clinical and business innovation.
He also has taught at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and has been an invited speaker at numerous other business schools and universities. In addition, he recently received the “40 under 40” Award presented by the Philadelphia Business Journal to exceptional leaders under age 40.
For more information about corporate partnerships, technology licensing, and technology commercialization at CHOP, see the Office of Technology Transfer page.