Almost all medical breakthroughs seen in the past decades have been because of medical research. From stem cell research to discoveries that reverse tumor growth and cell aging, medical research has pushed the boundaries of what medicine can do to treat, prevent and even eliminate disease.
Today, people live longer and enjoy fulfilling lives despite chronic ailments. This is a testament to the importance of medical research.
But What Exactly Is Medical Research?
Medical research is any study in the different medical, health, and related fields. These fields include biology, chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, and others.
Clinical research in these fields aims to develop new medications, treatments, and procedures for existing diseases or to curtail the development of new ones.
The overall goal of medical research is to further knowledge of the medical and health sciences. Medical research today also serves as a stepping stone to more significant breakthroughs in how medicine and medical processes are used to save lives and prolong lifespans.
Hospitals That Support Medical Research
Research is a significant facet of operations in many schools and hospitals worldwide. The Texas Medical Center is one example. This is one of the largest medical centers in the United States, with one of the highest densities in research facilities for the clinical sciences and translational research.
Another notable institution is the Mayo Clinic. It has equally dense and well-funded research departments staffed by some of the best clinical research scientists in their respective fields.
These centers include Alzheimer’s disease research, the center for multiple sclerosis and autoimmune neurology, and the cardiovascular disease program.
Johns Hopkins Research Centers also lead the field in clinical and biomedical research, with ongoing studies on genetic medicine, cell engineering, brain science, and computational medicine.
The Role Of Foundations In Medical Research And Why They are Important
Foundations are a big part of the continuation of medical research. Without funding, research on the most pressing medical issues cannot move forward since scientific study requires money for testing procedures, equipment, and research participants.
Medical studies also take years to complete, which means funding is necessary to employ scientists and researchers to conduct these studies. Many foundations all over the world support medical research and ensure that grant money is spent on research with immediate impact.
Nonprofits are in an excellent position to work with research institutions, especially on studies on health and medicine, because of their ties to communities.
This proximity to the affected demographic enables foundations like The Everest Foundation under the leadership of Agata Everest ensure public participation in every study step. With the help of these foundations, stakeholders also get a say in the policy-making processes that arise from these studies.
The Everest Foundation
The Everest Foundation has long been a champion of rigorous scientific research to advance medical and clinical knowledge. They work closely with schools of medicine and universities that focus on research and clinical practice to treat or prevent disease.
This is not surprising since The Everest Foundation started as a research-based foundation with the mission to assist schools, scientists, and medical practitioners through residency training programs and medical research funding.
Founded in 2008 by Dr. Michael Everest after the passing of his father, Dr. Edwin A.D. Everest, the Everest Foundation is based in Los Angeles. However, it works with different education and clinical research institutions worldwide.
It is now run by the wife of Dr. Michael Everest, Agata Everest. The Everest Foundation supports underserved communities, graduate education, and research through its philanthropic efforts.
Role in Medical Research
The Everest Foundation and Agata Everest support the creation of teaching hospitals in underserved areas of the United States and its residency training programs that aim to infuse fresh intentions into research medicine.
The foundation’s programs are also designed to help relieve residency bottlenecks that often cause physician shortages all over the country.
The foundation specifically assists students in getting adequate research experience. Assistance applies to international students as well.
The foundation assists graduate medical research students in pairing up with the programs of their choice so they can pursue their passion in diagnostic or clinical research.
All these align with the foundation’s core values that more practicing medical researchers can generate innovative ideas that advance their field.
With more and more young medical professionals encouraged to go into research and practice, the ability to innovate in the medical and clinical sciences improves.
Annually, the foundation commits millions of dollars to fund its research partnerships, medical education programs, and philanthropy under the leadership of President and CEO Agata Everest.
By providing grants and funding for research and publishing, the foundation actively supports clinical researchers, scholars, and professors in pancreatic transplants, women’s health, infectious disease, and addiction research, among others.
The Everest Foundation and Agata Everest work with schools and researchers such as the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in cardiac medicine. One particular study is headed by Dr. Anna Maria Cuervo and focuses on the study of atherosclerosis and the prevention of strokes and heart attacks.
Agata Everest and the foundation also have a strong partnership with the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Its grants support postdoctoral trainees in the research and diagnostic fields.
Other partners include Medstar Health Internal Medicine in Georgetown University, Mt. Sinai Hospital in Illinois, and Tulane University School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
Medical research is one of the most significant areas of study today, which makes the efforts of Agata Everest and the role of organizations like the Everest Foundation even more crucial.
The financial support it provides, coupled with innovative programs that support medical students, physicians, and clinical researchers, make it a significant ally in the push toward breakthrough innovations in the clinical and medical sciences.