Medical School News
From the Dean
Since Robert Good, M.D., Ph.D., performed the world’s first successful bone marrow transplant here in 1968, our scientists have been pioneers in blood and marrow transplantation. This issue’s cover story highlights some of their most recent discoveries and how they are bringing hope to children and adults with life-threatening diseases.
You will also read about innovators in cardiovascular medicine, who, like the University legends they follow, are forging a bold new future in heart disease prevention and treatment.
And you’ll learn about the Impulse Control Disorders Clinic at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, one of only a few nationwide.
Thanks to our state policymakers, we’ll remain at the vanguard in these and other important areas. In April, Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Minnesota legislature approved the Biomedical Research Program, which will allow us to construct four state-of-the-art research buildings by 2013.
The new facilities will help us recruit more world-class faculty and provide high-tech space for conducting interdisciplinary research in magnetic resonance imaging (the space will house the nation’s only 16 Tesla magnet), cancer, heart disease, infectious disease, and neuroscience.
Also in April, Minnesota Masonic Charities gave the Cancer Center $65 million to advance cancer research and care. In honor of this record-breaking gift—the largest ever to a Minnesota university—the Cancer Center has been named the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
The legislation and the Masons’ extraordinarily generous gift are powerful votes of confidence in our Medical School. Such support helps ensure that our faculty will continue the legacy of Robert Good and the many other giants who blazed the trail before them.
Deborah E. Powell, M.D.
Dean, University of Minnesota Medical School
McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair
