June 30, 2021

Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System announce new initiative in cardiometabolic health and disease 

Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System announced today the launch of a basic and translational research initiative in cardiometabolic health and disease as a thematic focus for program growth.

The Integrated Research and Development Initiative in Cardiometabolic Health and Disease will focus on program strengths at both institutions that directly addresses health issues of cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity metabolism and kidney disease that are of particular relevance for the broad communities that the two institutions serve.

The first step of this initiative involves the establishment of a platform for partnership and thematic integration between the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division (11 staff scientists and their research teams) from the Department of Internal Medicine at the Henry Ford Health System with the Department of Physiology and related programs in cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at the WSU School of Medicine and across the campus at Wayne State University. The research teams in the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division from Henry Ford Hospital, led by Pablo Ortiz, M.D., are now integrated with research programs at the Wayne State University Integrative Biosciences Center, with the associated grants and contracts operationalized through Wayne State University.

The next phase of this programmatic initiative includes the development of a Center for Cardiometabolic Health and Disease at Wayne State University, involving several basic, translational and clinical sciences units in the health sciences across campus.

“We are excited and pleased to be bringing our two institutions together to better serve our community’s cardiovascular needs,” said Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D., dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and vice president of WSU Health Affairs. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Michigan, and by joining forces with the excellent team at Henry Ford Health System, we aim to reverse this trend.”

“This research initiative reflects our longtime and valued partnership with Wayne State to continue joint education and research opportunities,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., chief executive officer of the Henry Ford Medical Group and senior vice president and chief academic officer at Henry Ford Health System. “By combining our research efforts, we hope to advance our understanding of the physiology of cardiovascular disease and its complications.”

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