UCLA signs historic memorandum with pediatric institution in Tokyo

The memorandum is the first among Mattel Children's Hospital's many planned agreements with leading institutions throughout Asia and Latin America.

Signed last month, the UCLA–Jikei University pact is a broad agreement in which both institutions express the intention of engaging in cooperative research and collaborating on a variety of other academic activities. The historic memorandum will help create a network through which physicians, scholars and administrators can exchange information on developments in pediatric education and research and help facilitate the translation of research into practice for pediatric diseases.

"By expanding our network throughout the Americas, Pacific Rim, India and beyond, we have the opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate on cutting-edge research that will benefit children both at home and abroad," said Dr. Edward McCabe, physician-in-chief of Mattel Children's Hospital. "As a result, children everywhere will benefit from an improved quality of life."

In general terms, the memorandum of understading is an agreement to engage in the following types of activities:

• Develop visits and informal exchanges of faculty, scholars and administrators in specific areas of education, research and outreach.

• Explore ways to cooperate in postgraduate education and training.

• Organize joint conferences and scientific meetings on subjects of mutual interest.

• Exchange academic information and materials.

• Pursue avenues for student exchanges.

UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, one of the highest-rated children's hospitals in Southern California, is a vital component of UCLA Medical Center, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the third best hospital in nation and best in the western United States for the past 19 years. Mattel Children's Hospital offers a full spectrum of primary and specialized medical care for infants, children and adolescents. The hospital's mission is to provide state-of-the-art treatment for children in a compassionate atmosphere, as well as to improve the understanding and treatment of pediatric diseases. For more information, visit www.uclahealth.org/mattel.