Mark and Mary Stevens’ gift advances new technologies in orthopaedics
Orthopaedic surgeons work near-miracles in the operating roomto fix broken bones and torn tendons. Yet even in today’s modern age of medicine, repairing torn cartilage, healing bone trauma, and regenerating muscle remain difficult.
That’s why USC Trustee Mark Stevens and Mary Stevens, his wife, joined forces with the USC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The Stevenses generously provided a $10 million gift to the Keck School of Medicine of USC to establish the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Center for Orthobiologics in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
The USC Stevens Center for Orthobiologics will pioneer new therapies using stem cells, platelet rich plasma (PRP), and other biologics. USC researchers are driven to revolutionize the treatment of osteoarthritis, cartilage and ligament injuries, stimulate muscle regeneration, and heal bone trauma. Their goal: to enhance patients’ lives and reverse the effects of degeneration.
“Millions of people suffer from arthritis and degenerating joints, so it’s crucial to accelerate the development of proven therapies,” Mark Stevens said. “Mary and I are enthusiastic about supporting the next generation of cell-based therapies and biologics through the center and the work of Dr. Jay Lieberman.”
The Stevenses have backed several USC efforts that will change the future of health. They include the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, which transforms diagnosis and treatment in neurological disease through brain imaging. Their visionary support led to efforts including the USC Stevens Center for Innovation and the Stevens Academic Center, which helps student-athletes thrive in the classroom.
“I am truly grateful for the interest and trust that Mark and Mary Stevens have shown in our work,” said Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr. Jay R. Lieberman (pictured left). “Without the support of philanthropists like the Stevenses, this type of translational research simply does not get done. With their help, we can accelerate the pace these transformational solutions proceed from the lab to the pa-
tients who need them.”
Stem cell injections and PRP are already used as therapies across the country in the treatment of various orthopaedic conditions, particularly osteoarthritis of the knee. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don’t. Doctors don’t really know why—but the USC Stevens Center for Orthobiologics aims to find out.
“We want to enhance our understanding of the biological factors that influence cartilage and bone repair, muscle regeneration, and more,” Dr. Lieberman said.
The center will also create a biorepository as the investigators conduct their research, taking tissue samples prior to treatment to determine the elements associated with clinical success. These samples may also be useful in testing new biologics as the team develops them.
Support for this center will fund pilot studies and research efforts intended to improve clinical care and outcomes. “We are interested in doing translational research to develop new therapies to enhance the lives of patients,” Dr. Lieberman said.
