The initiative is one of 12 around the country that has been selected as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engine.
Marian University has joined the Indiana Musculoskeletal Health Partnership for the Advancement of Care and Treatment, an initiative that initially received a $15 million National Science Foundation grant to help shape the future of musculoskeletal health research and workforce development.
According to an article on Marian University’s website, Dr. Jonathan Lowery, who is an assistant provost for research and scholarship and a professor of physiology, was one of the initial 25 members of the consortium and helped shape the initiative from its beginning stages. He is quoted as saying of the partnership, “This partnership builds on Marian’s strengths in musculoskeletal research, rehabilitation sciences, and healthcare education. As the nation’s first Franciscan Research University, we will connect faculty and students with partners across Indiana, expand research and experiential learning opportunities, and help prepare the workforce needed to advance musculoskeletal health.”
The goal of the consortium is to advance the collaborative efforts of researchers, healthcare providers, and the industry in general to expand education and prepare future healthcare professionals who will work to improve the lives of those who live with musculoskeletal disorders. The initiative will also advance workforce development starting with K-12 students, introducing them to opportunities in higher education and healthcare workforce training.
Dr. Melissa Kacena, who serves as the director of the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, said, "We have a competitive regional advantage with the consortium members, and it's about bringing economic growth to the state. A lot of that is workforce development, and Marian is going to be a huge contributor and recipient of that, as well as the research that can lead to technologies that we can commercialize and have economic growth."
For more information about Marian University, visit the school's website.