With its official opening ceremony today, the Maryland Forensic Medical Center became the latest addition to the 10-acre University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore.
The $44 million, state-of-forensic-science facility, under the Maryland Office of theChief Medical Examiner, is one of the nation's largest standalone medical examiner services.
University of Maryland President Jay A. Perman, MD, said the opening marks an exciting new step in the growth of the University of Maryland BioPark and brings expanded forensic science to a community, the University, which thrives on pushing the edge of discovery.
The state's Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler, MD, who is also a member of the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine on the same campus, said, "The educational and research opportunities provided by this new building are a byproduct of the close relationship between the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner [OCME] and the University of Maryland and other area universities."
Perman said, "Under the leadership of Dr. David Fowler, Maryland's chief medical examiner, this spectacular new facility is one of the finest in the world. In addition to serving the citizens of Maryland, it will greatly facilitate research and educational collaborations between the Forensic MedicalCenter and the University.
"Already, Dr. Sanford Stass, our chair of Pathology, serves as chair of the Maryland Post-mortem Commission and the majority of the Center's Medical Examiners have faculty positions with the University. These connections are leading to advancements in medicine and forensics such as rapidly improving ability to conduct virtual autopsies by using imaging technologies. The new Maryland Forensic Medical Center will expand and accelerate these collaborations."
The OCME investigates all deaths in Maryland that occur by violence, suicide, casualty or any other suspicious or unusual manner, and any sudden death if unattended by a physician or if the deceased previously was in apparent good health. Along with its critical role in helping to solve murders, medical examiners also study the causes of unexpected deaths to determine if previously unidentified trends or possible contagious diseases pose a threat to the health of all Marylanders.
Fowler said locating at the BioPark will also provide advanced medical education for students, "where they will be able to work with the most sophisticated tools in forensic science, and a place where we will advance research into some of society's most difficult medical mysteries."
"With the opening of the Forensic Medical Center, there will be more than 500 people working in the University of Maryland BioPark in 400,000 square feet of lab and office space with $180 million in capital investment," says Jim Hughes, MBA, vice president of research and development and president of the University's Research Park Corporation.
The Maryland medical examiner investigates almost 25 percent of all deaths in Maryland, a total of 10,000 death investigations and 4,000 autopsies a year to gather information that is critical to our public health efforts.
Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Forensic Medical Center. Also attending were Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John M. Colmers, Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Alvin C. Collins, Perman and Fowler.
"I'm honored to be here with Lt. Governor Brown and Secretary Collins of the Department of General Services. In five short years, the BioPark has become a vibrant community combining university researchers, workforce training, and private biotech companies." Perman added.
He continued, "We are delighted the Maryland Forensic Medical Center, one of the University's closest and longest-standing partners is becoming an integral part of this community. With the opening of the Forensic Center, over 500 people now work in the BioPark. We are well on our way to creating 3,000 new jobs and $1 billion in new investment in the BioPark."
On Oct. 18, the BioPark celebrates its fifth anniversary. It is the home of a growing community of science with 22 tenants including 14 emerging, high-growth life science companies and translational research centers.
For early-stage to mature bioscience companies, the BioPark offers a sophisticated laboratory and office environment on the University's vibrant academic medical center campus. In 2007, the Association for University Research Parks named the BioPark the "Emerging University Research Science Park of the Year."
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