Newswise — The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation (REF) today announced a program designed to encourage research careers in rheumatic medicine. This new program " made possible by a $3 million grant from Centocor " supports a fellowship program for young physicians.
Through their multi-year grant, Centocor will support the REF's Physician Scientist Development Award program. This award supports the independent, but mentored, research of physicians within a clinical or research setting.
"By supporting the careers of promising, young researchers and their cutting-edge initiatives, the partnership between the REF and Centocor will ultimately provide superior care for the millions of people suffering from rheumatic diseases." said REF President Joseph Golbus, MD.
As Americans are living longer and growing older in record numbers, the need for rheumatic care is greater than ever. This comes at a time when a significant number of rheumatology professionals are planning their own retirement. It is estimated that 20% of rheumatologists are expected to retire in the next three to five years, creating a shortage of specialists to care for patients with rheumatic diseases. The REF and Centocor, Inc. are committed to working together to ensure that patients will continue to receive the specialized care they need, and that vital research designed to investigate the causes, improve treatment, and work toward the prevention and cure of rheumatic diseases will continue.
"We are proud to support the REF on this important initiative to expand the field of rheumatology," said Tony Vernon, president of Centocor. "Centocor's support of the REF underscores our mutual commitment to improving the lives of patients battling rheumatic diseases. Together, we're dedicated to leading the future of rheumatology through innovative research and fellowship programs."
About Centocor Centocor is a leading biopharmaceutical company that creates, acquires and markets cost-effective therapies that yield long-term benefits for patients and the healthcare community. The company is dedicated to the research and development of treatments for a wide range of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disorders such as arthritis, inflammatory skin diseases and cancer. Centocor's products, developed primarily through monoclonal antibody technology, help physicians deliver innovative treatments to improve human health and restore patients' quality of life. Centocor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the worldwide manufacturer of healthcare products. About the ACR Research and Education FoundationThe mission of the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is to attract and support the training and development of qualified physicians and other health care professionals, and to support research designed to investigate the causes, improve treatment, and work toward the prevention and cure of rheumatic diseases. For more information on the REF, visit http://www.rheumatology.org/ref.
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