Today's News

Thursday, February 13, 1997

OREF 1996 campaign raises $4.7 Million

The 1996 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) campaign raised $4.7 million to fund quality research and education programs, exceeding its $4.45 million goal.

"Because of changing medical economic times, it's been a tough year for fundraising but in the end the specialty came through," stated Dennis Collis, MD, president of OREF. "Orthopaedic surgeons, corporations, as well as some very dear friends stepped up and supported this very important cause."

Although $4.7 million was raised, annual giving by individual orthopaedic surgeons is declining. In both the 1995 and 1996 campaigns, contributions from surgeons were down about $200,000 from the previous year. "The cornerstone of the Foundation has always been the contributions made year in and year out by surgeons," said Frank Bassett, MD, vice president for development at OREF. "For this we are grateful. However, I know all orthopaedic surgeons are capable of giving at some level to support our specialty and ensure its future. I hope we can count on surgeons for more in 1997.

"The OREF Board of Trustees extends a very grateful and heartfelt thank you to all of the people who so generously supported the Foundation in 1996. The Trustees encourage all attendees of this year's meeting to make a contribution to the OREF."