OREF Highlights 
OREF began its first fundraising campaign in April 1956, suggesting that potential donors could support OREF in a number of ways: by making cash contributions, through pledges of gifts to be paid over a period of years, by designating OREF in a will or as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or by including OREF as a memorial gift. The Board established the Founder Membership level for those pledging $1,000 or more before June 20, 1961. OREF's initial goal was to provide vitality and strength to the orthopaedic branch of medicine by funding research and education. As the scientific base of clinical practice, OREF-funded research enhances clinical care, leading to improved health, increased activity, and a better quality of life for patients. The first step toward meeting that goal was to support the first five Research Grants that had been approved. In 1956, OREF received $98,752.40 in total contributions. Orthopaedic surgeons submitted 10 applications, requesting more than $25,000 worth of funding. OREF was able to fund five Research Grants totaling $9,300. In 1956, OREF received $98,752.40 in total contributions. Orthopaedic surgeons submitted 10 applications requesting more than $25,000 worth of funding. OREF was able to fund five Research Grants totaling $9,300. | More than 150 Institutions have received Research Grants. These projects included:Three Dimensional Anatomy of Haversian Systems in Bone, a study conducted by Jonathan Cohen, M.D. A Study of Distracting Forces Imposed Upon Normal Long Bones and Long Bones Subject to Physiological Decalcification, investigated by William N. Harsha, M.D. and Samuel Moore, M.D. Compression Studies of Bone in Tissue Culture researched by George G. Rose, M.D. and Thomas 0. Shindler, M.D. Intramedullary Implant for the Attachment of an External Prostheses investigated by John 0. Esslinger, M.D. Attempt to Prevent the Host Response to Homogenous and Autogenous Bone Transplants by Treating these Transplants with Pepsin researched by Fred C. Reynolds, M.D. Since these first five awards were made, investigators have employed their OREF Research Grants to investigate many different areas, from the causes of knee injuries to treatments for lower back pain, among other orthopaedic problems. From the outset, OREF has tried to achieve a balance between basic science research and clinically oriented research that might produce more immediate benefits to the practicing surgeon. Supporting basic science research not only lays the foundation for further breakthroughs that may not have been originally envisioned, but it also provides a chance for dedicated young researchers to develop the skills they need to conduct other, more clinical research later in their careers. In this way, OREF supports the research — and the researchers — that will have an impact on orthopaedics in the years ahead. RETURN TO OREF HIGHLIGHTS | 
