By : Howard Stikes
Kosair Charities donated $7.3 million to U of L to further Dr. Andrea Behrman’s research on helping children regain the use of limbs paralyzed as the result of spinal cord injuries and other conditions.
The university is adding another $2.7 million from proceeds from a previous gift from late U of L board chair Owsley Frazier. The total $10 million will support the growing area of research and care.
“When we gather in the lobby of the Abell building, you know we’re about to announce something that is very good not just for the University of Louisville, but good for our community, our region and state and in this case, something well beyond,” said U of L President James Ramsey at the announcement of the gift.
Behrman and her colleagues are researching ways of overcoming paralysis associated with spinal cord injuries. Behrman is a pioneer in the use of locomotor training in children and specializes in pediatrics.
Susan Harkema, professor of neurological surgery and Director of the U of L Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Reseach Center, and Behrman are combining efforts to develop methods of treating patients of all ages. The goal is to re-train individuals with spinal injuries to stand, walk and be mobile once again. Behrman said her goal is to help children who not only have spinal cord injuries, but also conditions such as head trauma and tumors.
Behrman said she moved to Louisville to lead and develop a unique and progressive research and rehabilitation program to maximize recovery after neurologic injury employing activity-based interventions. She said she feels privileged and honored to join the distinguished team here at U of L.
Jerry Ward, chair of the Kosair board, said, “The mission of Kosair Charities is to protect the health and well-being of children in the region of Kentucky and Southern Indiana by providing financial support in areas of clinical services, research, pediatric health care and education.
“It is Kosair Charities’ honor and privilege to team with U of L, Dr. Behrman and all of her colleagues as they search for ways to aid children regain the ability to walk.”
The donation of $10 million will help to recruit other leading clinicians and scientists, purchase equipment specific to rehabilitation and rehabilitation personnel.
