Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2012 — As part of its commitment to advancing research in the field of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery (OHNS), Cook Medical with a strong history of philanthropy to encourage and support research and education, has supported the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) Program.
Jeffrey B. Watson, M.D., University of California, San Diego (UCSD), was presented with the first Cook Medical/AAO-HNSF Resident Research Award for meritorious original resident research. The award, presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) conference in Washington, D.C. last week, is part of the CORE grants program, a collaboration of nearly 20 societies, foundations and sponsors focused on supporting OHNS research. The CORE program serves to facilitate recognizing and identifying research efforts that advance knowledge and treatments for head and neck disorders which affect millions of patients a year.
“Cook Medical saw that otolaryngologists need minimally invasive medical devices designed specifically for their practice. So last week, we launched our new Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery clinical division. We’ve introduced new products for OHNS procedures, and broadened our support of research aimed specifically at advancing the work of otolaryngologists,” said Thomas Cherry, OHNS global clinical division leader for Cook Medical. “Now, we’re pleased to support, through the AAO-HNSF, medical residents who share our passion for developing new technologies and treatment options for head and neck disorders and diseases.”
Dr. Watson, a research scientist at UCSD, attended Harvard Medical School and has worked in various basic and clinical research settings both domestically and overseas. The grant will fund his research on tissue engineering technology, in which he is testing the ability of mechanical compaction of neocartilage constructs to develop sufficient septal cartilage for reconstructive surgery.
“We’re glad to welcome Cook Medical into the Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts grant program,” said Stephanie Jones, AAO-HNS director, Research and Quality Improvement. “Their support of a new-resident grant will help to expand our knowledge and understanding about paranasal sinus disease, salivary gland disease, sleep medicine, voice therapy, airway, ultrasound, tissue engineering, dysphagia and the cranial base.”
The CORE grant program provides financial support for research that may lead to new discoveries and treatments in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Its goal is to promote mentorship and teach young investigators to prepare competitive grant applications, and to prepare surgeon-scientists to serve as peer reviewers for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other research agencies. Since 1985, the AAO-HNSF has awarded close to 500 grants totaling nearly $8 million for research projects, research training and career development. Nearly a third of NIH grants held by otolaryngologists have been funded through CORE.
Cook unveiled its OHNS clinical division and the division’s inaugural interventional devices for obstructive salivary gland disease, dysphagia, dural repair following cranial base procedures and thyroid biopsy at the AAO-HNS conference last week.
Recognizing the need for specialized, minimally invasive devices in otolaryngology, Cook is researching and developing alternatives to open surgery for treating conditions across several traditional ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialties. Cook’s new OHNS clinical division leverages the interventional devices Cook helped pioneer in areas such as interventional radiology and urology, and applies them to the emerging science of minimally invasive otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. The division’s initial six practice areas of focus are soft tissue repair, salivary gland disease, chronic sinusitis, interventional airway procedures, vocal cord paralysis and obstructive sleep apnea.
About Cook Medical
A global pioneer in medical breakthroughs, Cook Medical is committed to creating effective solutions that benefit millions of patients worldwide. Today, we combine medical devices, drugs, biologic grafts and cell therapies across more than 16,000 products serving 41 medical specialties. Founded in 1963 by a visionary who put patient needs and ethical business practices first, Cook is a family-owned company that has created more than 10,000 jobs worldwide. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com. Follow Cook Medical on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About the AAO-HNS
The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 11,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization’s vision: “Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care.”