In a landmark announcement set to reverberate across the field of pediatric medicine, the American Pediatric Society (APS) has named Dr. Bruce D. Gelb as the recipient of its coveted 2026 John Howland Award, a distinction regarded as the pinnacle of recognition in academic pediatrics. This prestigious accolade honors individuals whose pioneering work and enduring influence have fundamentally transformed child health research and clinical practices. The award ceremony will transpire at the APS Presidential Plenary during the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in Boston, a gathering anticipated to showcase the latest breakthroughs in pediatric sciences.
Dr. Gelb’s career embodies a deep commitment to unraveling the complex genetic architecture underpinning congenital heart disease (CHD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. His comprehensive research portfolio bridges the clinical and molecular domains, illuminating genetic variants responsible for CHD and associated developmental syndromes. Over decades, his laboratory at Mount Sinai has leveraged high-throughput sequencing technologies, genomics, and rigorous phenotypic characterization to decode the multifactorial etiology of these disorders, shifting paradigms within pediatric cardiology and genetic medicine.
A faculty member at Mount Sinai since 1991, Dr. Gelb has been instrumental in cultivating an international reputation for genomic discovery in pediatric populations. His work notably advances understanding of Noonan syndrome and related RASopathies—a cluster of disorders caused by mutations affecting the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, which regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during embryogenesis. These insights have significant clinical implications, improving diagnostic precision and offering potential therapeutic targets for these previously enigmatic conditions.
Among his many contributions, Dr. Gelb co-led a groundbreaking study elucidating gene-pair interactions responsible for digenic inheritance in CHD. This revelation expands the genetic paradigm beyond monogenic models, illustrating how the concomitant inheritance of variants in two genes synergistically disrupts normal heart development. The application of advanced bioinformatics and integrative genomic approaches in this research has paved new avenues for tailored genetic counseling and personalized medicine strategies for affected families.
Beyond his research, Dr. Gelb’s leadership at the Mindich Child Health and Development Institute has established a multidisciplinary hub where genetics, artificial intelligence, clinical trials, and health services research converge. His visionary direction fosters an ecosystem optimizing translational research, accelerating the conversion of scientific discoveries into clinical interventions that address pediatric health disparities and improve long-term outcomes for children with congenital disorders.
Peers and institutional leaders laud Dr. Gelb not only for his scientific prowess but also for his commitment to mentorship. As Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasizes, Dr. Gelb exemplifies the ideal physician-scientist archetype, marrying rigorous investigation with compassionate clinical care and fostering a new generation of pediatric researchers dedicated to advancing child health.
Dr. Gelb’s influence permeates national pediatric research communities through his leadership roles, including past presidencies of both the American Pediatric Society and the American Society of Human Genetics. Additionally, as the inaugural president of the Pediatric Academic Societies Board, he played a foundational role in unifying diverse pediatric research domains under a single strategic vision, enhancing collaborative networks and resource sharing across institutions.
His election to the National Academy of Medicine underscores the broad societal impact of his contributions, reflecting recognition from the highest echelons of healthcare and scientific policy. This membership facilitates his ongoing involvement in providing evidence-based recommendations on health-related matters, further affecting pediatric healthcare policies and research priorities on a national scale.
Mount Sinai Health System celebrates this honor as a testament to its enduring commitment to excellence in pediatric research and clinical innovation. Through such recognitions, the institution reinforces its mission to push the boundaries of biomedical science, nurturing an environment where transformative insights into pediatric diseases continuously emerge.
The field of pediatric cardiology and genetics stands at a crucial inflection point, buoyed by Dr. Gelb’s advancements that integrate sophisticated genomic technologies with clinical acumen. These developments not only deepen fundamental understanding of developmental biology but also lay the groundwork for novel diagnostic tools and targeted interventions that promise to reduce the burden of congenital heart defects and associated syndromes globally.
As the broader medical community anticipates the upcoming Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Dr. Gelb’s award serves as both a celebration of past achievements and an inspiration for future innovation. His career underscores the vital interplay between basic scientific inquiry and translational medicine in addressing complex pediatric health challenges that demand interdisciplinary approaches and sustained collaboration.
In summary, Dr. Bruce D. Gelb’s selection as the 2026 APS John Howland Award recipient highlights a career replete with transformative discoveries in pediatric genetics and cardiology. His legacy continues to influence clinical practice paradigms and research trajectories, ultimately improving the lives of countless children worldwide born with congenital heart disease and developmental disorders.
Subject of Research: Pediatric genetics and cardiology, congenital heart disease, RASopathies, gene-gene interactions in developmental disorders
Article Title: American Pediatric Society Honors Bruce D. Gelb, MD, with 2026 John Howland Award for Groundbreaking Work in Pediatric Cardiology and Genetics
News Publication Date: October 29, 2025
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Image Credits: Mount Sinai Health System
Keywords: Pediatrics, Genetics, Congenital Heart Disease, RASopathies, Pediatric Cardiology, Genomics, Gene Discovery, Digenic Inheritance, Child Health Research, Pediatric Academic Societies, Mount Sinai
