MU Health announces a major orthopedic donation

The University of Missouri announced a $3 million gift courtesy of the Thompson family on Thursday morning. The donation will help fund research for regenerative orthopaedics.

Regenerative therapies aim to help patients heal from injuries when their bodies can’t do it on their own. Specifically for orthopedics, this can include shoulder injuries, different joint injuries and even arthritis pain.

According to MU Health, researchers at the new Thompson Center for Regenerative Orthopaedics will “pursue discoveries and advances to help people with joint replacements resume family and work activities sooner and lower costs and improve access to health care.”

Speaking at the gift announcement, James Stannard, the medical director of the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute said this donation can make the MU Health “go from good to great”.

Interim Chancellor Hank Foley said,”this gift will allow MU to further advance us as a world leader in regenerative orthopedics.” This statement was echoed by the Dr. James Cook, who is the director of the MU Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory. Cook does the hands on research this money will help support.

Cook said this money could make MU Health a global leader. “We’re very well recognized, we’re internationally recognized, we have a presence, but I don’t think we’re the leader yet,” Cook said. “I really do believe this will take us to the top of that.”

This is the Thompson’s family second donation to the University of Missouri. They have also donated $8.5 million for the Thompson Center for Autism.