Thanks to a major donation from Ruth and Bill Scott, UNMC will expand its current Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center.
Dr. Mike Sorrell, a gastroenterologist with UNMC, is leading the initial efforts to recruit professional staff for the center.
Sorrell says 1 in 300 people suffer from some form of IBD, including Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.
And he says it’s exciting to receive this gift, which will help provide more opportunities for treatment and research for these diseases, since current long-term treatments are lacking.
Sorrell says part of the funds will go toward a significant endowed chair for the new director.
"There are also monies for start up funds for the director and his staff as well as basic science cooperation and collaboration. There are also monies for a PhD basic scientist and for support staff. And in combination with Nebraska Medicine, our clinical partner to UNMC, there will be funds for faculty positions.”
Sorrell says with the expansion of the center, UNMC is responding to the challenge of better treatment and research in this important area.
He says the center will offer a great academic opportunity to integrate basic research with clinical care and clinical research.
The new IBD Center will be named in honor of Dr. Frederick F. Paustian, the first specialty-trained gastroenterologist in Nebraska.
Sorrell says the expansion is expected to be completed and faculty recruited in about 18 months.