The Renal Disease Biomarkers Center of Economic Excellence (COEE)
Concept Centers of Economic Excellence |
MUSC’s Center of Economic Excellence (COEE) in Renal Disease Biomarkers
The COEE in Renal Disease Biomarkers will develop ways to identify, isolate, and interpret the specific protein molecules that could yield in early diagnosis of both acute and chronic kidney diseases. The center will integrate with the ongoing biomarker discovery activities in the Nephrology Proteomics Center. Biomarkers are proteins or other molecules that can be used to predict the presence of a disease or a clinical feature of the disease. The discovery of biomarkers that can identify a particular kidney disease, detect early renal dysfunction, predict prognosis or forecast the response to treatment would dramatically improve the lifespan and quality of life for patients with kidney disease and reduce the costs to patients, Medicare and society. Major improvements in the care of patients with kidney disease will not occur until biomarkers are identified and validated to guide development of new therapies and identify appropriate patients to receive these therapies. The lack of biomarkers is the major obstacle to improving patient care.
The Southeastern Kidney Disease Consortium
In 2012 we will form a new consortium of Nephrologists in the Southeastern United States dedicated to improving patient care, research, education and communication among physicians who care for patients with kidney disease. The group will be called the Southeastern Kidney Disease Consortium (SEKDC). The consortium is sponsored by the South Carolina Renal Disease Biomarkers SmartState Program (formerly South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence Program). All nephrologists in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are invited to the inaugural meeting in Charleston on September 7-8, 2012. The goals of the SEKDC are to:
· Provide a forum for communication among nephrologists in the southeast.
· Disseminate clinical information to enhance prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
· Promote research collaborations between academic and private nephrologists.
· Facilitate communication with Federal agencies and National Societies to enhance research and patient care.
The meeting will consist of educational sessions in the areas of acute kidney injury, nephrotic syndrome, chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease as well as planning sessions to discuss collaborations in research and clinical issues.
Components of Renal Disease Biomarkers COEE
The success of the COEE will result in a fully funded Center which will house two endowed chairs and the Nephrology consortium. It will expand the already significant research base in renal biomarker discovery. One chair will be the Endowed Chair in Renal Biomarkers, and the other, the Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Renal Research. Each chair will have a value of $2 million which will be used to recruit and retain outstanding clinicians and investigators to aid in biomarker discovery. It is truly remarkable and cutting-edge and we hope you will become a part of the success.
Make a Gift
Contributions may be made payable to MUSC Foundation–COEE Renal Disease Biomarkers. To make a gift please print a gift form and mail it to Jane McCullough, Director of Development, Department of Medicine, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 803CSB, Charleston, SC 29425. Pledges may be made for a multi-year period not to exceed five years.
Other giving options to consider include donating appreciate assets such as stocks, bonds, or real estate. Our development staff would be pleased to work with you and your financial advisors on the best way for you to make a charitable contribution to assist our efforts and enhance your tax advantages. For more information please see our naming opportunities.
Contact
For more information, please contact Jane McCullough at (843) 792-7694 or (800) 810-9872 or e-mail at mcculloj@musc.edu. More detailed information on this project is available as well as opportunities to meet with the scientific leaders in the Division of Nephrology whose vision has created the Renal Disease Biomarkers Center of Economic Excellence.
Thank You
Thank you for your consideration of supporting this effort. Please know that any level of contribution will help us reach this very lofty goal. Thank you for giving hope to patients with kidney disease and an opportunity to enhance the future of public health in South Carolina and other areas across the United States. You are making hope a reality by giving. Thank you.