Meet Our Founder: Dr. Elena J. Ladas, PhD, RD
Global Leadership in Integrative Pediatric Medicine
Dr. Elena J. Ladas is the Sid and Helaine Lerner Professor for Global Integrative Medicine in the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC).
With advanced degrees in nutrition biochemistry (MS) and nutrition epidemiology (PhD) from Columbia University, and certification as a registered dietitian, Dr. Ladas is a globally recognized leader in integrative health and nutrition for children with chronic diseases. She was among the very first to begin scientifically validating the use of Integrative Medicine modalities in the treatment of pediatric conditions, leading to their present-day widespread acceptance as an integral part of clinical treatment regimens. Dr. Ladas brings a rare combination of clinical insight, research expertise, and visionary leadership as she works to advance the field of integrative health through multi-disciplinary and multi-national partnerships.
Transforming Pediatric Cancer Care
As Director of the Integrative Therapies Program (ITP) at CUIMC in New York, Dr. Ladas oversees an internationally recognized Integrative Medicine program in pediatrics, developing treatment approaches that have been replicated in centers around the globe. Under her leadership, ITP has become an acclaimed model for blending conventional treatments with evidence-based therapies - such as nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, and massage - to address the physical, emotional, and psycho-social needs of young patients and their families.
Dr. Ladas serves as the principal investigator on numerous multinational studies evaluating the role of nutrition and Integrative Medicine in improving outcomes for children with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), leading new research that contributes to breakthrough discoveries and advances in integrative health. Her ambitious research agenda continues to broaden in its scope and further build the scientific foundation for integrative therapies for children with NCDs.
Advancing Children’s Health Worldwide
Dr. Ladas is also the founder of the International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition (IIPAN), a pioneering global program addressing pediatric malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries and advancing high-quality, multinational research collaborations. Operating in 40 hospitals across 20 countries, IIPAN supports the care of nearly 9,000 children with NCDs each year. Through IIPAN, Dr. Ladas and her team train nutritionists, physicians, and nurses in the use of interventions to improve nutritional status so that children and adolescents can receive life-saving treatment of their NCDs. IIPAN also builds infrastructure such as Food as Medicine programs, which focus on the delivery of local, whole-foods based approaches to health.
In 2019, Dr. Ladas formalized a strategic partnership between IIPAN and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization (WHO), launching a multinational nutrition biobanking initiative to investigate how nutrition, the microbiome, and lifestyle behaviors influence clinical outcomes in children with cancer. Dr. Ladas has also established a partnership with WHO’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), through which IIPAN supports the expansion of nutritional services in pediatric cancer units worldwide.
Shaping the Future of Integrative Pediatric Medicine
A passionate educator and collaborative leader, Dr. Ladas has served as Chair of the Nutrition Committee for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology's Committee for Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries. In these roles, she worked with global teams to set multi-institutional research agendas and improve standards of care in nutrition and supportive therapies.
At every level, Dr. Ladas is redefining what is possible in chronic disease care for children - uniting science, compassionate care, and global collaboration to help save lives and build a healthier future. Through research, advocacy, and cross-disciplinary innovation, she is building a future where integrative, evidence-based care is not the exception, but rather the global standard.
A Champion for Change
As part of her global efforts, Dr. Ladas collaborates with the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and international partners to advance advocacy for children with cancer—particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Through these collaborations, she helps raise awareness, inform national policy, amplify local voices, and leverage research to shape sustainable, evidence-based solutions in pediatric cancer care.
From Research to Real-World Impact
Dr. Ladas is a widely published clinical investigator, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and more than 4,700 citations to her work. Her research has shaped the global conversation around integrative pediatric care and nutrition in oncology.
Explore her full body of work:
