The Thompson Foundation, created by William and Nancy Thompson, has pledged $3 million to the University of Missouri (MU) School of Medicine to create the Thompson Center for Regenerative Orthopaedics.
“The Thompsons’ generosity and continued support for Mizzou are inspirations to the entire MU community, ” MU Interim Chancellor Hank Foley said in the May 5, 2016 news release. “This gift will allow MU to further advance us as a world leader in regenerative orthopedics. This gift directly supports our primary missions of discovery and improving the health of Missourians and the world. With strong support such as this, MU will play a leading role in the future of health care.”
According to the news release, “The new center will be housed on the fourth floor of the new addition to the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, which is currently under construction. James Cook, DVM, Ph.D., the William and Kathryn Allen Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of the Orthopaedic Research Division at MU, says this gift will create a unique opportunity to provide world-class care for Missourians.”
“This amazing gift will create a center of discovery, translational and transformative research, and clinical applications, ” Cook said. “It will set Mizzou apart in this burgeoning area of medicine. Because the Thompsons have provided this incredibly unique opportunity for us to create a world-class laboratory right in the heart of our clinical orthopedic center, we will be able to more efficiently and effectively improve health care.”
“Since our days at Mizzou, Nancy and I have been fortunate to meet some of the exceptional academic, medical and research talent within the University, ” Bill Thompson said. “When Drs. Hal Williamson, Jim Stannard and Jimi Cook told us of their exciting plans for future discovery and innovative treatment in regenerative orthopedics, we jumped at the chance to invest in their cutting-edge work! It has the potential to benefit the lives of countless people, young and old.”
Asked what specific advancements will be pursued first, Dr. Cook told OTW, “We will pursue further optimization of our Mizzou BioJoint processes and techniques. We also have work in the research pipeline that holds great promise for producing better solutions to meniscal tears and meniscal deficiencies. The MU Thompson Center for Regenerative Orthopaedics is bringing scientists and surgeons together at the MOI to help advance this translational work.”
“With the explosion of orthobiologics and ‘regenerative’ techniques in orthopaedics, it is vital that we demand scientific validation and proof of efficacy prior to clinical use—The MU Thompson Center for Regenerative Orthopaedics will allow us to relentlessly pursue this critical work.”
