Charlotte, N.C. – A substantial gift from the Wyss Charitable Endowment will enhance trauma research and education programs conducted by Carolinas Medical Center’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. $1 million was pledged to support the teaching, research, and general educational activities overseen by Stephen Sims, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic trauma surgeon and faculty member at Carolinas Medical Center.

wyss00001The Wyss Charitable Endowment was founded by Swiss entrepreneur and businessman Hansjorg Wyss (pictured left), whose philanthropy has helped researchers and surgeons across the country to develop and apply ground-breaking new technologies to help patients recover from musculoskeletal injuries.

“On behalf of Carolinas HealthCare System, I am honored to receive such generous support to help advance our orthopaedic program,” said Dr. Sims, whose surgical faculty colleagues, residents, and fellows provide advanced care for musculoskeletal injuries, severe open fractures, and healing complications. “Support from Mr. Wyss will further our efforts to improve outcomes for our orthopaedic trauma patients and to expand orthopaedic training programs both locally and nationally,” added Dr. Sims.

The recent commitment from Mr. Wyss marks the second significant gift Carolinas HealthCare System has received in support of the orthopaedic trauma program. In 2015, the AO Foundation – which is led by an international group of surgeons specializing in the treatment of trauma and disorders of the musculoskeletal system – granted over $700,000 to Carolinas Medical Center in support of its patient mobility data assessment center. Dr. Sims and a team of physicians and researchers have utilized the funds to create a “mobility toolkit” to collect and utilize objective outcome data on patient performance-based measures.

###

About Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Carolinas HealthCare System works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.