Collaboration the Theme of Second Annual Vail Scientific Summit
At SPRI’s second annual Vail Scientific Summit, held August 18-20, some of the best minds in regenerative medicine and cellular therapies came together to share findings, provide insights, and discuss possible collaborations with fellow researchers, scientists, and physicians.
“It’s just amazing what is being done here,” said Dr. Marc Philippon, SPRI Co-Chairman. “This is a great example of multiple minds being better than one mind.” Dan Drawbaugh, CEO of The Steadman Clinic and SPRI, remarked that the goal for this summit was to encourage new collaborations and to build upon existing ones.
Dr. Johnny Huard, SPRI Chief Scientific Officer and Summit Co-Chair, spoke about his dream. “I dream that we can do science that translates to the clinic. Surgeons and scientists need to work together—to be a team that can make big things happen.”
The three-day conference included speakers from throughout the United States representing universities and medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Harvard, Northwestern, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Carnegie Mellon.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Dr. J. Richard Steadman, the Co-Chair and Founder of SPRI and Founder of The Steadman Clinic, and a man who has seen so many changes throughout his distinguished career, remarked on his hopes for the future. “We are not at the end. Getting people together who are willing to listen to each other is the kind of thing that builds for the future.”
Topics focused on improving the ways in which platelet rich plasma could be used in healing tissue, cutting-edge surgical techniques for shoulders and knees, and the importance of stem cell therapies to improve the lives of people affected by a variety of conditions.
Throughout the Summit, speakers and guests were interviewed about their experiences at the event and the work they are collaborating on with fellow researchers and doctors. The interview with Dr. Huard can be seen online at www.youtube.com/user/SpriVail and on Steadman Philippon’s Facebook page.
FROM LAB TO CLINIC
Dr. Chris Evans of the Mayo Clinic spoke on approaches to cartilage repair. “We are trying to develop gene therapy approaches to improving the healing of cartilage and doing it in a way that is technically simple. We want it to be delivered at point of care so the patient comes in and gets what we have to offer, leaves, and doesn’t have to come back.”
Dr. Linda Sandell, a pioneer in orthopaedic research and professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Washington in St. Louis, spoke on wound healing and stopping osteoarthritis at the time of injury repair, and how science can translate work from the lab into the clinic.
INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP
“It is just great to be here in Vail,” said Dr. Matthew Provencher of The Steadman Clinic. “I’m so proud to be a part of how we can translate theories to clinical calls to action for the people in this room to do more.” “What we’re able to do with a 58-bed hospital here in Vail is have a total healthcare system here that is not only of high quality, but affordable, non-profit, and locally run,” said Mike Shannon, chairman of Vail Health Services Board and KSL Capital Partners.
“How we keep on top of that is having access to world-class research. The first phase of our Vail Valley Medical Center $60 million dollar expansion will put researchers, clinicians, and surgeons all in the same place talking to one another.”
If the exchange of ideas at this year’s Vail Scientific Summit is an indication of game-changing collaboration in the future, the Steadman Philippon Research Institute will have reinforced its position as an innovative leader in the world of regenerative medicine.