Biomet And OREF Collaborate To Sponsor Orthopaedic Graduate Medical Education Programs

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 08 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Biomet, Inc. and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) announced today a new partnership to provide multi-year funding to support graduate medical education programs in orthopaedic surgery.

Effective immediately, Biomet will provide expanded funding for orthopaedic fellowship and resident education programs in partnership with OREF. Fellowship funding will help to underwrite advanced education for surgeons in sub-specialties such as adult joint reconstruction, sports medicine, upper extremity, trauma, spine, pediatrics and oncology.

OREF will assume full responsibility for receiving, reviewing and approving grant requests. OREF will award grants in its sole discretion, based on the merit of the requests and the needs of the requesting teaching program. Grant applications will be reviewed by the OREF Educational Grants Board, an independent panel of physicians who receive no compensation from the orthopaedic medical device industry.

"Biomet is committed to expanding our support for graduate medical education. Through this partnership with OREF, we will establish an ethical, transparent and independent method to provide funding for deserving programs," said Jeffrey R. Binder, Biomet President and Chief Executive Officer.

"As the demand for orthopaedic surgery increases in the coming years, it is vital that patients continue to have ready access to highly-trained and skilled specialists who are able to provide life-changing treatment. The teaching hospitals that provide training to these specialists have suffered reductions in funding. We are also concerned that global economic conditions may result in reduced charitable contributions to orthopaedic education. Our partnership with OREF will contribute to the education of the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons, at a time when patients will require ever-increasing access to their skills," said Mr. Binder.

"We believe that this agreement is good for Biomet, for all of orthopaedics, and ultimately for patients. Enhanced skills, which these funds make possible, mean enhanced patient care," said William P. Cooney, M.D., the Chairman of the OREF Board of Trustees. "We have had a long and proud history of support from Biomet for which we are extremely grateful. We look forward to continuing to work with Biomet in the years ahead."

About Biomet

Biomet, Inc. and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and market products used primarily by musculoskeletal medical specialists in both surgical and non-surgical therapy. Biomet's product portfolio encompasses reconstructive products, including orthopedic joint replacement devices, bone cements and accessories, autologous therapies and dental reconstructive implants; fixation products, including electrical bone growth stimulators, internal and external orthopedic fixation devices, craniomaxillofacial implants and bone substitute materials; spinal products, including spinal stimulation devices, spinal hardware and orthobiologics; and other products, such as arthroscopy products and softgoods and bracing products. Headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Biomet and its subsidiaries currently distribute products in approximately 90 countries. http://www.biomet.com

About OREF

Founded in 1955, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that receives donations from companies and individuals to foster research and education in orthopaedics. OREF is the leading and most experienced administrator of grants for the advancement of orthopaedic specialty care, having awarded approximately 3,200 grants totaling $88 million since its inception. As a Platinum level contributor to OREF, Biomet has historically supported the efforts of OREF at the highest levels.

OREF