Philanthropist Ephraim Gildor Conquers Mount Everest and Pledges $1,000,000 to Steadman Philippon Research Institute For Shoulder Research Led by Dr. Peter J. Millett

The Ephraim Gildor Foundation, an organization that contributes to the advancement of science and education, has bestowed a $1,000,000 grant to the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, CO. The grant opens new areas of sports medicine and shoulder research for the Institute. The grant will help fund research into such studies as shoulder osteoarthritis, rotator cuff repair and shoulder separations. Past recipients of similar grants include the Mayo Clinic and Brown University in Providence, RI.

A resident of Aspen, CO, Ephraim Gildor once flew fighter jets for the Israeli Air Force and earned his wealth from establishing successful hedge funds. Gildor and his wife, Catherine, established the Ephraim Gildor Foundation which donates funds to programs and schools in the United States and Israel.

In 2008, Mr. Gildor suffered a serious shoulder separation injury while mountain biking. Dr. Peter J. Millett, a Vail and Greater Denver area orthopedic shoulder surgeon for The Steadman Clinic, treated him and it was then that their union began.

Dr. Millett performed successful shoulder separation surgery and in the process, detected a tumor in the shoulder that was determined to be benign. Following the shoulder injury, surgery, and recovery, the Gildors committed their Foundation’s support to the Steadman Philippon Research Institute for the work of Dr. Millett.

Mr. Gildor, an avid and active sportsman, runs, mountain bikes, hikes, and skis throughout the year. He is also a highly skilled mountain climber who recently reached one of the most famous peaks in the world. Known as the “Seven Summits,” the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, Mr. Gildor conquered Mount Everest in May.

“I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Millett perform the surgery that brought my shoulder back to full health,” says Gildor. “Conquering Mount Everest would not have been possible without his surgical skills. This research grant we are providing to him and to the Institute allows our foundation to continue its mission, allows me to recognize a very special doctor, and helps fund important research that will lead to critical medical advancements now and in the future.”

Dr. Peter J. Millett is a partner at the Steadman Clinic and an internationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon specializing in disorders of the shoulder and all sports-related injuries. A focus of his research is advanced shoulder arthroscopy and the treatment of athletes with shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears and severe shoulder separation injuries. Dr. Millett is often sought out nationally and internationally for his expertise in complex and revision shoulder surgery and total joint replacement for shoulder osteoarthritis. He has the advantage of using research conducted at the Institute to improve the outcomes of these procedures.

The Gildor grant will enable Dr. Millett and his colleagues to initiate or continue studies involving shoulder joint preservation, joint reconstruction, nerve damage, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff repair, management of cartilage injuries, and overall improvement of shoulder surgery outcomes.

About Dr. Millett 
Dr. Peter Millett is a Vail and Denver area orthopedic shoulder surgeon and sports medicine specialist with the Steadman Clinic. He is expert in both arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery repair for traumatic, sports and degenerative shoulder conditions.

About Steadman Philippon Research Institute 
The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) is dedicated to keeping people of all ages physically active through orthopaedic research and education in arthritis, healing, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Founded in 1988 by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman as the Steadman Sports Medicine Foundation, the 501(c)3 charitable organization has influenced the practice of orthopaedics throughout the world. Based in Vail, Colorado, it has become one of the most published organizations in sports medicine research and education.