Leading lights of UK/US medical research in areas such as cancer, liver and renal medicine will have the chance to share ideas and work together, thanks to an innovative clinical exchange programme launched today.
The Clinical Fellowship Programme will cement existing relationships and develop new collaborations between the University of Birmingham and the internationally renowned Mayo Clinics across the US, over a five-year period. Areas of medicine identified as targets will be endocrinology, cancer, liver medicine, renal medicine, haematology and clinical immunology.
The exchange, which has been made possible thanks to a generous donation by an anonymous donor, will enable clinical academics to experience a different research environment, discuss research interests, learn new techniques and gain access to diverse and interesting patient cohorts.
Birmingham academics will visit Mayo Clinics at three locations across the US: Rochester, Minnesota (their largest base with three hospitals); Jacksonville, Florida; and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. Research is carried out at all three campuses, with specialities ranging from translational science to clinical trials.
Mayo Clinics medics will be based at the University’s College of Medical and Dental Sciences, with its 25-year track record of clinical trials, and have access to the College’s extensive networks of NHS partners across the region, including the brand new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, which shares a physical campus co-location with the College’s Medical School and opened its doors this week.
Professor Lawrence Young, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences “I believe that one of the keys to tackling global health issues is to develop more individualised treatments for disease. Populations respond in different ways to treatments depending on their ethnic background and environments. The combination of world-leading clinical expertise and diverse patient cohorts at both partner locations make this exchange programme between the University of Birmingham and the Mayo Clinics such an exciting opportunity.”