Mayo Clinic Trustees Honor New Named Professors

Friday, November 13, 2009

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees today honored three new Mayo Clinic named professors.

Peter Amadio, M.D., is the recipient of the Lloyd A. and Barbara A. Amundson Professor of Orthopedics. Dr. Amadio is a physician/scientist in the Division of Hand Surgery in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery with joint appointments in the Division of Health Care Policy and Research and the Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering at Mayo Clinic. The Amundson's relationship with Mayo Clinic dates back to the 1950s when both of their children were delivered by Mayo physicians. For many years, all of their medical needs were handled at Mayo Clinic, however, the treatment they received through the Department of Orthopedics really enhanced their relationship with Mayo. To show appreciation for their care and improved quality of life, the couple established this professorship to ensure continued research and innovation in orthopedics. Mr. Amundson entered the banking business in the early 1960s and is the owner of two Midwest bank holding companies and several First Security Bank locations in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa and Montana.

Dr. Amadio serves as chair for the Division of Orthopedic Research in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He holds the academic rank of professor in both orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering in the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Amadio's clinical interests include congenital hand diseases, upper extremity tumors and distal upper extremity tendon injuries. The goal of his research has been to improve the results of tendon repair by addressing two interrelated issues: the effect of loading on wound healing and soft tissue material properties (Wolff's law of soft tissue) and the effect of tendon repair and lubrication on tendon gliding.

Charles Loprinzi, M.D., a Mayo Clinic oncology physician/scientist and professor of oncology in the College of Medicine, is honored with the Regis Professorship in Breast Cancer Research. Regis Foundation for Breast Cancer Research of Minneapolis established the Regis Professorship in Breast Cancer Research. Regis Corporation, the world leader in the beauty salon industry, initiated efforts to increase awareness of breast cancer research, education and prevention in 1990. Subsequently, the Regis Foundation for Breast Cancer Research was founded by Anita Kunin, the wife of Regis founder Myron Kunin. She is a breast cancer survivor. The Regis Foundation provides support for early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of breast cancer, in addition to research that will hopefully one day lead to a cure for the disease.

Dr. Loprinzi has served as chair of the Division of Medical Oncology and vice chair of the Department of Oncology. A nationally renowned breast cancer expert, he is director of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) Cancer Control Program and co-director of the Mayo Cancer Center Prevention and Control Program. Dr. Loprinzi holds the academic rank of professor of oncology. He has served as a principal investigator of an NCCTG CCOP (Community Clinical Oncology Program) research base grant for over a decade. Primarily through this venue, he runs an active cancer control program directed toward both cancer prevention and symptom control efforts.

Rafael Fonseca, M.D., is recognized as the Getz Family Professor of Cancer. Dr. Fonseca is a physician/scientist in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, deputy director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and site director for the Hematologic Malignancies Program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Established by Sandy and Bert Getz of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Libertyville, Ill., the professorship is one way they can touch the lives of people across the country and around the world by helping the progress of medical care, education, and research. As the CEO and director of Globe Corporation, Mr. Getz has placed his own distinctive stamp on his family enterprise, which dates back to the early 1900s.

Dr. Fonseca holds the academic rank of professor of medicine and is a mentor to research trainees, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, special project associates and postgraduate students. He serves as a reviewer and in editorial positions for multiple medical publications, including Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Cell, Circulation, Leukemia and the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Fonseca's practice has focused on diagnosing and treating plasma cell disorders and leading Mayo's multiple myeloma team in developing a better understanding of the disease and its impact on patients.

Named professorships represent the highest academic distinction for a Mayo Clinic faculty member. Faculty are appointed to a named professorship through nomination and endorsement of their peers and then confirmed by Mayo Clinic senior leadership. Appointed individuals are recognized for distinguished achievement in their specialty areas and service to the institution.

These professorships are named in honor of the benefactors. The gift funds, which may be unrestricted or focused on a specific medical area, are held in endowment. All income from the endowed professorships supports Mayo Clinic programs in medical education and research.

The Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees, a group of public representatives and Mayo physicians and administrators, is responsible for patient care, medical education and research activities at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.; Rochester, Minn.; and Scottsdale and Phoenix, Ariz.

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