The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has announced a $25 million gift from the Orland Bethel Family Foundation to support the study of musculoskeletal disorders.

With an additional $25 million investment from the Pitt School of Medicine, the gift will create the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC) to attract and retain top scientists and to advance musculoskeletal disorder research. The commitment will support a number of programs, including the BMRC Core Laboratories, Bethel Research Fellows, and an annual conference and seminar. Slated to open in 2024, the center will support research in areas such as understanding molecular, genetic, and biological mechanisms in spine-related disease; the influence of gender and age on disease and recovery from musculoskeletal disorders; developing therapies for osteoarthritis; using stem cells to repair and recover from peripheral nerve injuries; and applying machine learning algorithms for orthopedic issues.

The founder of Hillandale Farms, Orland Bethel found relief from debilitating spinal pain after successful surgery and treatment he received at Pitt and UPMC. Bethel and his foundation made a previous gift to create the Orland Bethel Chair in Spine Surgery.

“My family and I are pleased to offer our support to the spectacular work of [Orland Bethel Professor in Spine Surgery] Dr. Joon Lee and the other surgeons, physicians and researchers within the department led by [chair of orthopaedic surgery] Dr. MaCalus V. Hogan through the creation of the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center,” said Bethel. “I know how the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC changed my life and can only imagine how the lives of others—worse off than I was—will be improved thanks to the ongoing research at this new center.”

(Photo credit: Aimee Obidzinski)