James R. Urbaniak, MD and Christopher L. Mendias, PhD
We have chosen to support research in the fields of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies as we believe that development in these areas will lead to significant and successful management of many common musculoskeletal impairments.
ROSEMONT, Ill. (PRWEB) December 18, 2017
The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) announced today that a research grant of $800,000 has been awarded to Christopher L. Mendias, PhD, of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Dr. Mendias received the OREF Clinical Research Grant in Cellular Therapy in Honor of James Urbaniak, MD, which provides funding for clinical research to advance breakthroughs in adult stem cell therapies. The study, SVFC Therapy to Improve Rotator Cuff Tears: A Phase II Clinical Trial, will examine the ability of stromal vascular fraction stem cells to enhance the regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues, and seeks to determine if autologous stem cell therapy can improve outcomes for patients with chronic rotator cuff tears who undergo surgical repair.
Funding for the grant, which is the largest in OREF's history, was provided by generous support from individual donors, including many of the residents and fellows who trained under Dr. Urbaniak and who have contributed to the OREF James R. Urbaniak, MD Mentor campaign, and the National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF).
OREF President David G. Lewallen, MD, expressed his gratitude to the many individual donors who contributed to the OREF James R. Urbaniak, MD Mentor Campaign, which has raised over $1 million, including gifts of approximately $700,000 from more than 80 orthopaedic surgeons. “OREF’s origins are firmly rooted in the philosophy that the orthopaedic community must come together to advance our knowledge of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. We are pleased that through the generosity of these donors, OREF is able to provide funding for research which may provide improved quality of life for millions of patients suffering from chronic rotator cuff tears.”
Dr. Urbaniak offered his congratulations to Dr. Mendias on being named the recipient of this grant, and stated “as a dedicated contributor and former OREF Board member, I have indeed been honored to partner with OREF to raise funds for grants such as this one. We have chosen to support research in the fields of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies as we believe that development in these areas will lead to significant and successful management of many common musculoskeletal impairments.” Dr. Urbaniak also expressed his thanks to campaign co-chairs Michael L. Parks, MD, Dean G. Sotereanos, MD and Dean C. Taylor, MD for their leadership.
About the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving lives by supporting excellence in orthopaedic research. OREF is dedicated to being the leader in supporting research that improves function, eliminates pain and restores mobility, and is the premier orthopaedic organization funding research across all specialties. A list of research and funding priorities is available at oref.org/grants or by following @oreftoday on Twitter.