As a major source of health care in Greater Cincinnati, the UC Academic Health Center has a distinguished reputation for training prominent health care professionals and providing leading-edge research and patient care.
The following are some of the Academic Health Center's acclaimed discoveries and developments:
First Live, Attenuated Polio Vaccine
The UC Academic Health Center is probably best known for the development of the first live, attenuated polio vaccine. Albert Sabin, MD, worked on the project both at UC and the affiliated Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Approved for use in the United States in the late 1960s, the vaccine has saved untold millions around the world from paralytic polio and death.
UC Stroke Team Pioneers Treatment
The UC Stroke Team is among the nation's pioneers in tPA studies and established a protocol for quick diagnosis and treatment. UC scientists also contributed to the development of NovoSeven, a recombinant clotting factor for the treatment of brain hemorrhage caused by stroke.
Health Effects of Lead in Children
UC was the first university-based environmental research facility to become nationally known for its studies of the health effects of lead in children, and our department of environmental health was one of the first to test a chelation drug that effectively removed high lead levels from the bloodstream.
Heart Failure Gene Identified
A UC team, headed by Stephen Liggett, MD, received international attention in 2002 when they identified two genes that convey a risk of heart failure 10 times greater than that faced by people who do not carry the gene, and that by far the greater risk was in African-Americans.
Development of Benadryl
The popular antihistamine marketed as Benadryl was developed at UC by George Rieveschl, PhD, now a vice president and professor emeritus.
First Residency Programs in the Country
UC had the first emergency medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs in the United States. UC also was one of the first in the United States to introduce a family practice residency program, thus pioneering the return of the "family doctor" to U.S. health-care delivery.
Developing Guidelines for Treating Heart Failure
In 1994 and 1995, UC College of Pharmacy's Michael Bottorf, PharmD, helped develop national and state guidelines for the treatment of heart failure.
Pioneering Laser Applications
Pioneer in the medical application of lasers, John Tew, MD, professor in UC's Department of Neurosurgery, was the first brain surgeon in the country to receive FDA approval (in 1984) to use the YAG laser to vaporize previously inoperable brain tumors. The laser seals large blood vessels to prevent extensive bleeding during surgery.
Organ Transplant Discovery
In 1989, UC researchers discovered that the drug ketoconazole made cyclosporin work more effectively, lowering the amount needed to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.
Pioneering Gene Therapy
In 1990, under the direction of neurosurgeon Ronald Warnick, MD, UC became one of the first four centers in the country to use gene therapy for the treatment of recurring brain tumors.
Leaders in Environmental Genetics
UC has the nation's first federally funded Center for Environmental Genetics. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supports the $6.5 million center's research into how genes respond to the environment. Center director Daniel Nebert, MD, identified a pair of genes on a specific human chromosome that are key to lung cancer development.
Cancer Gene Discoveries
In 1995, UC molecular geneticist JoAnna Groden, PhD, identified the gene for Bloom's syndrome, a finding that could one day help scientists learn more about cancer formation. Groden and colleagues also isolated the APC gene, which may help scientists understand how people inherit a predisposition to colon cancer.
First Nursing Baccalaureate Program
UC College of Nursing offered the first baccalaureate degree program in nursing in 1916.
The following are some of the Academic Health Center's acclaimed discoveries and developments:
First Live, Attenuated Polio Vaccine
The UC Academic Health Center is probably best known for the development of the first live, attenuated polio vaccine. Albert Sabin, MD, worked on the project both at UC and the affiliated Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Approved for use in the United States in the late 1960s, the vaccine has saved untold millions around the world from paralytic polio and death.
UC Stroke Team Pioneers Treatment
The UC Stroke Team is among the nation's pioneers in tPA studies and established a protocol for quick diagnosis and treatment. UC scientists also contributed to the development of NovoSeven, a recombinant clotting factor for the treatment of brain hemorrhage caused by stroke.
Health Effects of Lead in Children
UC was the first university-based environmental research facility to become nationally known for its studies of the health effects of lead in children, and our department of environmental health was one of the first to test a chelation drug that effectively removed high lead levels from the bloodstream.
Heart Failure Gene Identified
A UC team, headed by Stephen Liggett, MD, received international attention in 2002 when they identified two genes that convey a risk of heart failure 10 times greater than that faced by people who do not carry the gene, and that by far the greater risk was in African-Americans.
Development of Benadryl
The popular antihistamine marketed as Benadryl was developed at UC by George Rieveschl, PhD, now a vice president and professor emeritus.
First Residency Programs in the Country
UC had the first emergency medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs in the United States. UC also was one of the first in the United States to introduce a family practice residency program, thus pioneering the return of the "family doctor" to U.S. health-care delivery.
Developing Guidelines for Treating Heart Failure
In 1994 and 1995, UC College of Pharmacy's Michael Bottorf, PharmD, helped develop national and state guidelines for the treatment of heart failure.
Pioneering Laser Applications
Pioneer in the medical application of lasers, John Tew, MD, professor in UC's Department of Neurosurgery, was the first brain surgeon in the country to receive FDA approval (in 1984) to use the YAG laser to vaporize previously inoperable brain tumors. The laser seals large blood vessels to prevent extensive bleeding during surgery.
Organ Transplant Discovery
In 1989, UC researchers discovered that the drug ketoconazole made cyclosporin work more effectively, lowering the amount needed to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.
Pioneering Gene Therapy
In 1990, under the direction of neurosurgeon Ronald Warnick, MD, UC became one of the first four centers in the country to use gene therapy for the treatment of recurring brain tumors.
Leaders in Environmental Genetics
UC has the nation's first federally funded Center for Environmental Genetics. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supports the $6.5 million center's research into how genes respond to the environment. Center director Daniel Nebert, MD, identified a pair of genes on a specific human chromosome that are key to lung cancer development.
Cancer Gene Discoveries
In 1995, UC molecular geneticist JoAnna Groden, PhD, identified the gene for Bloom's syndrome, a finding that could one day help scientists learn more about cancer formation. Groden and colleagues also isolated the APC gene, which may help scientists understand how people inherit a predisposition to colon cancer.
First Nursing Baccalaureate Program
UC College of Nursing offered the first baccalaureate degree program in nursing in 1916.
