Newswise — The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), which reached an agreement with DePuy Spine, Inc. in October 2009 to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation’s new post-residency, clinical fellowship grant program, is pleased to announce that the following programs have been awarded fellowship funding for 2010-2011: Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Spine Health; Northwestern University; Rush University; Stanford University; Temple University; The Ohio State University; Thomas Jefferson University; University of California at Los Angeles; University of California at San Francisco; University of Miami; University of Michigan; and University of South Florida.
“Through this funding, DePuy Spine has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to furthering clinical spine education. The training provided will give neurosurgeons at these institutions the opportunity to continue their training and practice innovative, state-of-the-art techniques in spinal reconstruction. This additional education will enhance their ability to successfully treat patients with debilitating spine conditions in the years to come,” stated Griffith R. Harsh IV, MD, FACS, NREF chair.
The NREF is responsible for all aspects of the fellowship grant program, including review and approval of grant applications. The NREF has awarded grants based upon established fellowship program criteria and the needs of the requesting hospital and/or academic institution. A new NREF Educational Grants Committee (EGC) was formed in fall 2009, comprised of neurosurgeons that do not receive financial or other support from the medical device industry, to review and approve fellowship grant applications in an independent, unbiased manner. Individuals serving on the Educational Grants Committee are volunteers and do not receive compensation from the NREF for their efforts.
“This funding is very important to furthering the field of spine neurosurgery. Collectively, neurosurgeons devote the most substantial part of their practice helping patients in the area of spine. Research is integral to building on the ever-evolving technologies in spine surgery, with the ultimate goal of improving the efficacy of procedures and patient outcome,” stated AANS President Troy M. Tippett, MD, FACS.
For more information about the post-residency, clinical fellowship funding program and all other NREF grants and awards, please contact Michele S. Gregory at (847) 378-0540 or [email protected].
About the NREF
The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) of the American Association of Neurosurgeons was established in 1981 in direct response to the reduction in federal and private funding for medical research. The mission of the NREF is to provide a private, non-governmental source of funding for research training in the neurosciences. Since its inception, the NREF has awarded 145 grants totaling over $6 million. As a result, significant advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of aneurisms, brain tumors, strokes, and spinal disorders, as well as an increased understanding and interest in pain therapy, stem cell research, biomaterials and pediatric epilepsy. Many of NREF’s awardees have received additional funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue their research.
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