Dr . Wesson stresses that all patients , not just those who volunteer for clinical trials , benefit from Scott & White ’ s research because physicians who practice at academic , research-oriented hospitals tend to have a better understanding of diseases and tend to be better versed in the latest treatments .
“ We feel strongly that research and education help support the quality of care that is delivered ,” says Dr . Wesson . “ When you come to a place like Scott & White to get care , the fact that Scott & White is involved in a huge research enterprise benefits all patients directly .”
Finding funds in difficult times Funding for key research programs is critical . The NIH has recognized the unique and capable skills in the research realm at Scott & White , and so has increased its funding fivefold for priority research programs . This is particularly impressive when one considers that the NIH typically funds only about 10 percent of the research proposals that are submitted for consideration . Dr . Beswick attributes Scott & White ’ s success in part to enhanced recruitment efforts . “ We ’ ve brought in basic scientists who do lab research from throughout the country ,” he says . “ Many researchers are gaining national recognition by publishing their findings in top medical journals , which also leads to increased NIH funding .”
In addition , Scott & White has increasingly engaged in collaborative research projects with the Texas A & M
Health Science Center College of Medicine and the Central Texas Veterans Administration . “ When you combine resources , investigators of all three institutions and their ideas , we dramatically increase our chances for NIH funding ,” says Dr . Wesson .
Other funding sources are pharmaceutical companies that seek to test new medicines through clinical trials . Scott & White ’ s Research Grants Program also provides partial funding for research efforts .
Despite the economic recession that began in 2007 , funding for the first ( or laboratory ) and last phases of medical research , such as clinical trials , has continued from the NIH . Federal grants typically pay for the basic science done in the lab , where medical research begins , and those grants have increased under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
“ Our investigators have made a name in looking at the cancers themselves and developing specific molecules that will help deter or stop the growth and spread of cancer .”
— Donald E . Wesson , MD of 2009 . The stage of research that has suffered is what Dr . Beswick calls the middle stage , which is usually funded by the private sector . Work at this stage of the process translates a possible cure developed in a lab into a product that can be clinically tested . Before the recession , venture capitalists often funded this crucial phase .
Matthew Wright , JD , CFRE , director of foundation and corporate relations at Scott & White Healthcare , believes that an increased research profile at Scott & White can play an important role in successfully securing funding for the middle phase of research . “ Scott & White is on the cusp of becoming much more of a household name in terms of research capacity ,” he says .
“ Private philanthropy can close the gap between initial and final funding phases of research . It can accelerate research in terms of getting something to the patient ’ s bedside ,” says Mr . Wright . “ Our commitment is to be responsible stewards of donated dollars at every phase of research .”
The generation of ideas and scientific application will continue to yield exciting advances because of research efforts at Scott & White . It ’ s the ability to help patients live happy , productive lives that fuels the passion of scientists here . As Dr . Beswick says , “ It always goes back to the patient .” ■
Dr . Frankel also is a professor of medicine , the Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine . sw . org | Spring 10 THE CATALYST 9