President Lloyd Jacobs and Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor and executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs, and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, joined several leaders of other medical schools in Ohio to talk about the economic and health-care impact clinical research funded by the NIH can have on society.
“The line item in the federal budget that funds the National Institutes of Health is responsible for so many of the scientific and medical breakthroughs that treat and cure diseases and conditions that in the past caused great pain and suffering,” Jacobs said.
“I was very grateful that Speaker Boehner and Director Collins were able to discuss the important role research plays in advancing our nation,” Jacobs said. “Given their extremely busy schedules, taking time to meet speaks volumes about their commitment to and understanding of the economic and societal impact NIH-funded research can have.”
Gold, who serves as chair of the Ohio Council of Medical School Deans, announced in late May that the state’s medical colleges and teaching hospitals had an economic impact in excess of $42 billion in 2011 alone.“Advancing medical care through basic scientific and translational research is a defining piece of this institution’s mission,” Gold said. “The opportunity to share with top national leaders some of our NIH-funded research successes and to provide information on research partnerships like the Academic Health Center offers UT a chance to reaffirm our commitment to providing the best health care available.”