Cleveland Clinic Florida in Palm Beach has announced a $6 million commitment from Amy and David Krohn to help fund research and improvements in orthopedic surgery.

The couple pledged $2 million to endow the Amy and David Krohn Family Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedic Outcomes and enable researchers at its Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Center "to pursue new methods and technologies for improving orthopedic surgical outcomes, including the evaluation of long-term, quality-of-life issues in joint replacement." The funds will support the work of Carlos Higuera-Rueda, who has been appointed to the endowed chair and whose research is focused on ways to prevent post-surgical infection and  eradicate infections without having to remove implants.

"Currently, our researchers are looking into how to treat biofilm-based infections, which lead to devastating outcomes for patients," said Higuera-Rueda, who is also the center's director and chair of the hospital's Levitetz Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. "We expect to improve joint arthroplasty infection treatment outcomes and implant preservation for many people in the future."

The remaining $4 million, which the hospital will receive after both Krohns have passed aaway, will be used to support future research and advances in orthopedics.

The couple are owners of  Virginia-based Plaxx Cos., manufacturers of memorial and commemorative plaques. In a statement, David Krohn told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that they chose to give to Cleveland Clinic Florida and Higuera-Rueda "because we feel it is a good investment of our hard-earned money. In our mind, it's worthless unless you do something good with it."