NEOUCOM takes part in research grant on bone, joint problems

STAFF REPORT

ROOTSTOWN — The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy is participating with other medical institutions in an $8.576 million state grant for research on bone, joint and connective-tissue problems.

The money is coming from a new program called the Ohio Research Scholars Program and will go to the Orthopaedic Research Cluster of Northeast Ohio (ORCNEO), a collaboration of researchers and physicians.

In addition to NEOUCOM, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, Case Western Reserve University, the Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Summa Health System and The University of Akron are partners in that group.

“Through the combined strengths of the partners involved, and our ability with this funding to recruit high-profile scholars and supporting staff, we will begin the initial step in creating an orthopaedic research powerhouse based in the region,” said Walter E. Horton Jr., vice president for research at NEOUCOM and executive director of ORCNEO.

The grant will fund a new, endowed faculty position at NEOUCOM and The University of Akron, research facilities, equipment and staffing.