For Immediate Release
October 26, 1998
Contact: Melissa Forsythe or Mark Pfeiffer (502) 564-2611

Governor’s "Bucks for Brains" Program Attracts Major Research Team to Kentucky

Louisville, Ky. - Calling it, "The beginning movement toward our goal of excellence in advanced education and a better quality of life for all the people of the Commonwealth," Governor Paul Patton announced today that the University of Louisville, through the "Bucks for Brains" initiative, has been able to attract a world class, cutting edge medical/scientific research team to Kentucky.

The team is headed by Dr. Suzanne Ildstad, who comes to Kentucky from Allegheny University in Pennsylvania where she was a professor of surgery, but more importantly led a team of scientists in the research of advanced surgical methods.

"Attracting Dr. Ildstad and her scientific research team to Kentucky is a benefit not just for U of L but for all Kentuckians. This team of scientists is conducting research in advanced medicine and new surgical methods that will provide Kentuckians with access to unmatched medical knowledge and treatment."

Dr. Ildstad said, "I’m highly impressed with the collective vision and the collaboration between the Governor, the university and Jewish Hospital, and I’m really grateful for this opportunity. I think such a commitment to collaboration is really unique, and you should be proud if it."

Dr. Ildstad and her team are renowned for their development of the safe use of bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, red blood cell disease, auto immune disorders, AIDS, and organ transplant rejection.

"For Kentuckians who suffer these disorders, their doctors will no longer have to send them out of state for this cutting edge treatment," the governor added. "For U of L, it brings the recognition and prestige of cutting edge research and the potential to attract more world class scientists and researchers. For this community and for the state, this is the kind of research that can spawn economic opportunities that we can’t even begin to imagine."

"Bucks for Brains" is the informal name given to a program designed by Governor Patton to enhance the research prominence of the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. The Research Challenge Trust Fund Endowment Program was started with a $100 million appropriation from the 1998 General Assembly. UL is eligible for one-third of the total fund and must match any money received from the fund.

The governor recognized the contribution of the Jewish Hospital Healthcare System that matched the money U of L pulled from its "Bucks for Brains" allocation to attract Dr. Ildstad's team. The matching money was a key element in creating the endowment that will generate about $500,000 a year to help support the research team. The team will be supported by the interest earned each year on an endowment that includes $4 million from the governor’s "Bucks for Brains" program and $4 million in matching funds from the Jewish Hospital Foundation. The economic benefit from this research team includes almost 40 medical, scientific and technical professionals who will come to Louisville. It also includes start-up spin-off companies that may be located in the planned Louisville Medical Center Health Sciences Park.

In closing Governor Patton said, "This is truly a historic day for Louisville, the University of Louisville, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky."

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