51²Ö¿â

South Florida is saddled with one of the worst diabetic amputation rates in the nation – if not the world – and to battle the diabetic epidemic and its complications, the 51²Ö¿â School of Podiatric Medicine established the "Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center."Ìý

Doctors Paul and Margaret Brand are medical pioneers whose groundbreaking research, from Louisiana to India, made it possible for insensate patients, including those with leprosy and diabetes, to function normally despite enormous handicaps. The landmark Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center at 51²Ö¿â furthers the Brands' legacy by engaging in collaborative research to reduce diabetic foot complications, including ulcers and amputations.Ìý

"The mission of the Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center is to create a world-class research site utilizing the collaborative efforts of basic and clinical sciences," said Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, Director of the Paul and Margaret Brand Research Center. "The research will result in publications in peer-reviewed journals, enhancing 51²Ö¿â's academic and scholarly reputation as well as the resident and student experience at Barry."Ìý

In 2008, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties reported more than 1,600 diabetic amputations, resulting in medical expenditures of more than $60 million. The Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center will enable 51²Ö¿â professors and students to conduct research studies to identify the best treatments to promote wound healing, reduce amputations and educate the public on prevention.Ìý

"The Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center reflects the first step in 51²Ö¿â's commitment to develop our Master Site Plan," said 51²Ö¿â President Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD. "We anticipate that our research will provide patients with diabetic foot complications in South Florida and the world with a more hopeful future."Ìý

By the year 2050, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 of 3 adults in the United States will have diabetes. Through this new research center, 51²Ö¿â commits itself to the battle against diabetes and its complications by engaging in innovative research that will help the almost 500,000 residents in South Florida affected by this disease.Ìý

Goals

The Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center will:

1. Provide a wide range of research opportunities, from bench research to randomized controlled trials;
2. Generate research funding from such entities as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and from private corporations;
3. Publish articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals that will enhance 51²Ö¿â's academic and scholarly reputation;
4. Enhance the medical knowledge base to identify the best treatments to promote wound healing, reduce amputations, and educate the public on prevention; and
5. Be the cornerstone in the development of the second and third phase of the 51²Ö¿â Master Plan to complete the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at 51²Ö¿â.

Management Team

Robert Snyder, DPM, MBA, MSc, CWSP, FFPM RCPS (Glasgow)
Dean, Professor and Director of Clinical Research
rosnyder@barry.edu

Maria Swartz, RN
Research Coordinator
mswartz@barry.edu

Shernell John Baptiste
Clinical Research Assistant
sjohnbaptiste@barry.edu