National Society Selects Hand Specialist Randall Culp, M.D., to Lobby for Funding to Fight Disease
Randall
W. Culp, M.D., of The Philadelphia Hand Center at Methodist, recently
served as the only representative for the American Society for Surgery
of the Hand at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS)
2008 Research Capitol Hill Days. Dr. Culp was selected to join more
than 115 orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and their patients from
across the country in Washington, D.C., to encourage members of
Congress to appropriate $548 million to the National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) in fiscal year
(FY) 2009 – a 6.5 percent increase from FY 2008.
Research
Capitol Hill Days gives the orthopaedic community the opportunity to
meet with targeted U.S. Senators and Representatives to share their
personal struggles and triumphs, while stressing the importance of
increased research funding and patient access to innovative techniques
and procedures. The 2008 program took place February 13-14.
“It
is essential to increase funding for orthopaedic research,” said Dr.
Culp, a hand specialist at The Philadelphia Hand Center at Methodist
Hospital Division, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and associate
professor of Orthopaedic, Hand and Microsurgery at Jefferson Medical
College of Thomas Jefferson University. “Further financial support will
not only benefit current patients with specific hand and upper
extremity conditions, including congenital disorders, crush injuries,
arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome, but, more importantly, it will
pave the way for future advancements within the entire musculoskeletal
arena.”
Why musculoskeletal funding is critical:
• Diseases of the bones, muscles, joints and skin are among the most frequent chronic health problems in the U.S., causing
pain, disability, difficulty with appearance and self-esteem, and, in some cases, premature death.
• Musculoskeletal disorders cost the U.S. $849 billion annually in healthcare services and lost economic productivity.
• In 2003, musculoskeletal conditions and injuries accounted for 157 million visits to physicians’ offices, 15 million visits
to hospital outpatient departments, and 29 million visits to emergency rooms.
• Nearly one in every three Americans is treated for chronic musculoskeletal impairment or musculoskeletal injury each year.
As
one of the National Institutes of Health, NIAMS supports research at
hospitals, universities, and medical schools throughout the country by
annually investing more than $500 million to fight some of the most
chronic, costly, and common conditions.
As
the leading comprehensive center in the Philadelphia region, and one of
the foremost specialty facilities in the United States, The
Philadelphia Hand Center is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and
rehabilitation of hand and upper extremity injuries. Each physician is
recognized for their superior surgical skills and intense dedication to
academic research. They are all Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery
with additional qualification in surgery of the hand. The doctors and
therapists of The Hand Center work together with one goal: returning
the patient to work, home, sports or leisure activities with the
highest possible level of function.
Located
in the heart of South Philadelphia, the Methodist Hospital Division of
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital offers a wide variety of
healthcare and medical services to the surrounding community and
region. Patients from all over the area receive a full range of
services including emergency care, cardiac care and rehabilitation
therapy, expert shoulder and elbow care, diabetes treatment, women’s
healthcare and more.
Media Only Contact:
Steve Benowitz
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 3/26/2008