Awards go to Henry Ford Health System, MSU, U-M, Wayne State researchers
DETROIT, April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Michigan researchers whose work has helped improve health care for Michigan residents are receiving additional research dollars totaling $50,000 through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation's 2008 McDevitt Excellence in Research Awards.
The researchers are from Henry Ford Health System, Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
"The McDevitt awards formally recognize top researchers for their untiring efforts to improve health care for Michigan residents," said Ira Strumwasser, executive director and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. "The awards are in keeping with the spirit of dedication exemplified by the late Frank J. McDevitt, a visionary physician leader from our state."
McDevitt was a physician and former chairman of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. He served as president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association, chairman of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and president of the Wayne County Osteopathic Association and Michigan Osteopathic College Foundation.
The following researchers are being honored with awards of $10,000 to
be used for further research.
Recipients of 2008 McDevitt awards are:
-- Esther Bay, Ph.D., College of Nursing at Michigan State University.
Her work has helped developed ways to detect depression in brain
injury patients as they learn to live with their injury, and effective
methods to treat it.
-- Devin L. Brown, M.D., Cardiovascular Center, Stroke Program at the
University of Michigan. He has developed screening methods for stroke
patients that help determine the risk of post-stroke hip, wrist and
other bone fractures in non-elderly patients, with a goal of helping
prevent such injuries.
-- Morris Magnan, R.N., College of Nursing Research Center at Wayne State
University. He has identified the most effective ways to predict the
risk of patients getting pressure sores, a serious problem in
hospitals, especially among the elderly.
-- Xiao Xu, Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the
University of Michigan. She has studied how the effects of medical
liability impact obstetric care for patients in Michigan.
-- Richard Zarbo, M.D., Department of Pathology at Henry Ford Health
System. His research redesigns work processes and enhances the culture
of the Henry Ford Hospital surgical pathology area by identifying and
preventing waste, and shortening the time it takes to complete
pathology services for patients. His work is expected to help patient
services in pathology laboratories around the country.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents by supporting health care research and innovative health programs. The foundation's grant programs are conducted in Michigan by Michigan-based researchers and nonprofit community health care organizations.
Over the past 25 years, the BCBSM Foundation has contributed approximately $20 million in grants for research and $5 million for community health programs. This funding has resulted in enhancements to quality, patient safety and access to care for the people of Michigan. The foundation also supports efforts to control the rising costs of health care through research, demonstration and evaluation projects.
The BCBSM Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit bcbsm.com/foundation.
SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |