OREF, Biomet donate $1.3 million for medical education programs in orthopaedic surgery

Biomet, Inc. and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) announced today Biomet's 2011 donation of $1.3 million for funding graduate medical education programs in orthopaedic surgery. This donation represents a continuation of Biomet's multi-year partnership with OREF to support training of orthopaedic residents and fellows.

The donation will fund orthopaedic fellowship and resident enhancement programs. Fellowship funding will underwrite advanced education in the sub-specialties of adult reconstruction, upper extremity, sports medicine, oncology, trauma, and spine. Additional funding will support resident enhancement programs, including resident workshops . Biomet was the first industry partner to provide grant support for OREF's Clinical Development Program.

OREF will continue to have full responsibility for soliciting, receiving, reviewing and approving grant requests. OREF will award grants at its sole discretion based on adherence to qualification criteria, the merits of the request and the needs of the requesting teaching institution. Grant applications will be reviewed by the OREF Educational Grants Committee, an independent panel of physicians who receive no compensation from the orthopaedic medical device industry.

Jeffrey R. Binder, Biomet President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "In 2009, Biomet made the first donation of a multi-year commitment to support graduate medical education. In 2010 we expanded our donation, and in 2011 we are again increasing our commitment. Through our partnership with the OREF we have established an ethical, transparent and independent method to provide needed funding for deserving resident and fellowship programs."

Biomet has traditionally been a strong supporter of resident and fellowship education and research projects. The Biomet/OREF partnership strives to provide support to as many teaching institutions as possible.

Mr. Binder added, "Bone and joint disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S., and we need a growing supply of highly trained specialists to deliver the best possible care to patients suffering from these disorders. Funding resident and fellowship programs is an essential part of ensuring the ongoing quality and availability of orthopaedic care."