The center will foster the interactions of basic science researchers with clinicians such as Mark Rupp, MD, UNMC infectious diseases specialist, and Kevin Garvin, MD, chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery, to develop new therapies and treatments for staph.
Musculoskeletal Infection (Garvin)
Dr. Kevin Garvin is an orthopedic surgeon, who is a specialist in hip and knee reconstruction. His research interest focuses on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal infections caused by emerging multi-resistant strains of bacteria in the surgical setting. As chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at UNMC, Dr. Garvin leads a dynamic team of clinicians and researchers who have earned a strong regional, national and international reputation for excellence in patient care, orthopedic education, and expanding cutting-edge research. He is committed to collaborative research and through the CSR several projects are underway.
Epidemiology and Antibiotic Stewardship (Rupp)
Dr. Mark Rupp is a professor of Infectious Diseases at UNMC and is also the medical director of The Nebraska Medical Center Department of Healthcare Epidemiology. His research focuses on the clinical epidemiology of Staphylococcus. He often works directly with graduate students by serving on their graduate committees, thereby helping the students understand the translation between research and clinical practice. Dr. Rupp, in collaboration with other members of the CSR, is trying to understand the mechanism of resistance and how the bacteria spread in order to better exploit the organism and develop improved antibiotics. In addition, he and other health care professionals are working hard to use antibiotics more prudently to preserve their value. Antibiotic resistance is considered to be one of the most urgent priorities in public health. Infectious disease specialists such as Dr. Rupp understand that antibiotic resistance by bacteria such as staph has led to increasing severity of disease, and possible death, as well as rising health care costs. Many infectious disease experts believe the spread of staph is a public health crisis and new solutions must be found soon. This is why Dr. Rupp feels collaborations between researchers and physicians, like those currently in place at the CSR, are essential.