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The research programs of the Department of Surgery range from the investigation of fundamental mechanisms of disease at the cellular and molecular levels to clinical evaluations of operative strategies and techniques.
Each effort is closely directed by a faculty member, with a wide participation of undergraduate, medical and postgraduate students, research fellows, and trained surgeons, all supported by an expert technological staff and the state-of-the art physical facilities. While most programs are primarily based within the Department of Surgery, there is extensive collaboration with the rest of the university community at every level. While most of these programs are supported by the NIH and other internationally recognized organizations and foundations, following rigorous peer review, other efforts involve collaboration with private industry for mutual benefit. Indeed, such liaisons are strongly encouraged whenever they fall within the overall mission of the institution.
The programs not only constitute a fundamental source of basic and clinical scientific advance, they also provide an extremely disparate range of educational opportunities for students, fellows and other trainees at all levels.
For more information, or for a referral to a specific program for educational or collaborative opportunities, please contact the Director of Surgical Research.
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Clinical Trials and Research Heading link
Chicago Diabetes Project
The Chicago Diabetes Project is working to make islet cell transplantation a viable treatment option for diabetes. Based in Chicago at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Services, the Chicago Diabetes Project is a collection of scientists, researchers, physicians and surgeons spanning the globe who’s mission is to cure diabetes.
Visit the Chicago Diabetes Project website for more info.
Wound Care & Tissue Repair
The wound care team has over 65 scientific publications. Faculty research interests within the Section of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair includes:
- Outcomes research
- Stem cell therapies
- Microcirculation
- Venous ulcer prevention, treatment and hemodynamics
- Critical Limb Ischemia therapy
- Diabetic foot ulcerations
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment protocols
- Health policy
For more info about this trial, contact Shelley Curtis by email at sacurtis@uic.edu or by phone at 312-996-3253.
Adolescent and Pediatric Weight Management Center
The Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management Project at the University of Illinois Medical Center offers new hope for severely overweight teenagers and their families. The program provides the ongoing support of an adolescent pediatrician, pediatric surgeons, pediatric nurse practitioners, nutritionists, psychologists, and physical therapists. In addition, pediatric subspecialists, such as pulmonologists, hepatologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, orthopedic surgeons, and plastic surgeons are available for consultation as needed by individual patients.
The program tailors psychological, nutritional and activity support according to the patient’s individual needs. For some of our teenagers, this combination works to reduce their weight and improve their health. However, others need the addition of the adjustable gastric band surgery to achieve this goal. The project is currently involved in a FDA research trial to study the safety and efficacy of the adjustable gastric band in teenagers (14-17 years).
- Where: Craniofacial Center at 811 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612
- When: Clinic hours of operation are Monday and Thursday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
- How: For appointments, please call the Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management Project Office to make an appointment. Phone is monitored Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.